Evening Talk: What Not to Say to an Adoptee

Regardless of whether someone is genuinely curious about adoption and people's stories or experiences, good intentions and false assumptions can still produce hurt feelings, emotional stress, or embarrassment for the adoptee. Language has the power to communicate hospitality or hostility, to exploit and exclude, as well as affirm and liberate. 

Being adopted is unique and dealing with an adopted person may be complicated at times. Each adoptee is different. Words should always be used wisely, and a number of factors will determine what kind of sensitivities will be most helpful. In addition, societally, the language used in adoption is changing and evolving over time, requiring us to adjust our lenses and consider:

• What kinds of things does the public think and say about adoption?
• Should adoptees be grateful?
• How does transracial and intercountry adoption impact the words we use?
• Should we be using Positive Adoption Language and how do adoptees and birth family members feel about it?

This discussion aims to address such issues and raise consciousness, educating participants on the impact of words and language on an adoptee. Videos and content from experts in the field will be incorporated for an enlightening discussion.

We are pleased to have adult transracial adoptee Jenny Wiseman as facilitator for this discussion. Jenny was born and raised in Australia and recently moved to Hong Kong. She is a member of the AFHK Monthly Discussion team and Steering Committee, and is Head of English as an Additional Language at an international school. She has experience presenting to staff and community in her workplace, as well as at The Vine Church, Mind Body Spirit Festival, Thai Church and Petersham AOG.

This event is open to all parents and caregivers, extended family, friends, and domestic helpers, waiting and prospective parents, adult adoptees, professionals and students.

• 170HKD for AFHK members; 
  
• 270HKD for non-members or lapsed members (or click here to join/renew your AFHK membership and attend this event for the member's rate of 170HKD).
  

Seating is limited, registration and payment are required in advance.

Please arrive to check-in at 6:45pm. Meeting is from 7:00 to 9:00 pm.