In six pages this 'right to know' premise regarding the adopted child is examined from genetic and cultural perspectives in a supporting argument. There are eight sources cited in the bibliography.
Name of Research Paper File: AM2_PPadopt.rtf
Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
The social construct of adoption offers society alternatives when a biological parent is either unable or unwilling to raise their offspring to full maturity.
Adoption is most often the wisest path in these instances. Not only does it relieve the biological parent of the responsibility of child rearing, it provides the opportunity
for an adoptive parent to raise that child as their own, and most importantly it provides a safe and healthy environment for the adopted child. While the benefits of
adoption are not contested, it can be contended that it is a basic human right for an individual to know their biological origin. This contention can be demonstrated from
a number of perspectives, not the least of which is the importance of understanding ones racial or ethnic identity. Another important fact which should be considered as proof of
this is the importance of genetics in so many aspects of our lives. If we are not aware of our genetics how can be best protect ourselves against known
hazards such as propensities for disease or even potential birth defects in our own children? The purpose of this paper is to address these two aspects of biological
identity as they relate to the human right to know their biological origin. Sullivan and Thompson (240) describe the family as the "oldest
and most fundamental of all social institutions". Shephard (388) defines family as "a group of people related by marriage, blood, or adoption". Typically this traditional concept of family
involves an extended family of grandparents and aunts and uncles as well (Turnbull and Turnbull 21). These connections are more and more difficult today, however, because for many individuals