The Triad

The three main groups of adoption are usually represented by a triangle however, this can misrepresent the reality of the members of adoption.

The triangle appears to:

• demonstrate an equal distance or separation between the three members.
• show an equal or harmonious connection between the adoptee and the adoptee's two families.
• symbolize that the birth family and adoptive family are raising the child's interest above their own.
• exhibit that the relationship or communication between the adoptee and their adoptive and birth family is equal and similar.

These are rarely true.

The Plane

The plane (a flat or level surface) shows the adoptee between the other two members.

This better represents the truth behind adoption and it's members. It can also display the way many adoptees feel like the center of a tug-of-war between their loyalties to the adoptive family and their longing to know their heritage and and blood.

By adjusting the image, the plane can illustrate an adoptee's emotions or state of mind, moving back and forth between the two families.

Example:

This plane illustrates an adoptee moving (searching?) towards their birth family. It is also important to note that the arrow only represents the status on that side of the plane. In this case, the adoptee and Adoptive family are not moving away nor moving closer.

This plane illustrates an adoptee moving towards their adoptive family. (Retreating to familiarity?) Again, this movement has no impact on the birth family side in this diagram.

This plane can illustrate an adoptee's emotions being torn between their two families.

The following plane represents Dan at the time of writing, an adoptee who is currently searching for his birth family. The relationship with the adoptive family is good and they are supportive of the adoptee searching.

As you can see, the birth family is a question mark since they are unknown. The adoptee is moving towards the birth family, however, they are also moving toward the adoptive family and they toward the adoptee. Note also, the connecting line between the adoptee and the adoptive family has grown shorter to represent the closeness and support.

Here is another representation of an adoptee who is pulling away from his adoptive family and they from him as he moves toward his biological family.

The Goal

The goal is to join all three representative circles into one family. A melding, as it were, of the adoptees two families into one united family.

While we understand this is not an exact method of measurement. It is a much better visual of the true nature of adoption.

©2005-2006 Wraithswrealm productions.