In this episode, we talk with sociologist Gretchen Sisson about her book Relinquished and how adoption decisions are shaped by poverty, policy, and cultural ideas about who is “worthy” to parent. We discuss pushback that adoption is inherently altruistic, noting high demand for babies and predatory market incentives. The conversation also connects adoption to foster care, racialized histories, and reproductive justice.

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

00:41 Gretchen’s Origin Story

03:49 Teen Parenthood and Poverty

07:26 Adoption Pushback and Myths

12:19 Centering Children Over Adults

15:13 Foster Care and Repro Justice

19:13 Race and the Adoption Market

22:19 How to Get Involved

23:58 Next Projects and Wrap Up

Gretchen’s Book

Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood

(Pre-order Paperback)

Other Books Mentioned

Torn Apart: How the Child Welfare System Destroys Black Families--And How Abolition Can Build a Safer World by Dorothy Roberts

A Place Called Home by David Ambroz

Where to Find Gretchen

https://www.gretchensisson.com/

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