Reflecting on a Journey of Adoption and Identity

The Impact of China’s One Child Policy

Though China dismantled its one child policy in 2015, the effects of its 36-year tenure are evident across nations. The policy led to increased recorded abandonment and instances of adoption. During this period, Emma Ming Fuller, born in China and now 24, was adopted from Mingshan District by American parents living in Los Angeles. With a heart full of gratitude for her adoptive family, Ming Fuller is now exploring her history and identity, supported by fellow adoptees online.

Abandonment and Adoption Journey

At three months, Ming Fuller was found outside a government building in Central China, abandoned with a note indicating her birth date. A passerby handed her over to authorities, and she spent over a year in an orphanage before adoption. Despite having no memory of this early chapter, Ming Fuller believes it shaped her life significantly.

In therapy, Ming Fuller discovered patterns in attachment influencing her life, revealing adoption’s lasting impact. Reflecting on received love and a caring upbringing, she stated, “Both of those things turned out to be true at once.” This realization inspired her project “Living Adopted,” a candid video series exploring Chinese adoptees’ experiences in America.

Exploring Identity and Connection

Sharing her journey through social media, Ming Fuller connects with other adoptees. Her Instagram video, with over 25,000 likes, discusses growing up in a predominantly white community and her evolving understanding of adoption’s impact.

Her series covers numerous challenges adoptees face, such as identity questions, self-love, eating struggles, and unexpected grief, balanced by gratitude.

Cultural Influence and Future Connection

The one-child policy, initiated in 1982, sought to control population growth with exceptions for rural areas and ethnic minorities. Implemented through strict measures, coupled with a cultural preference for male children, it led to increased abandonment of infant girls, creating a wave of international adoptions.

Ming Fuller acknowledges ongoing questions about her history and takes a patient approach, saying, “Right now, I’m focused on better understanding myself.” Her message to other adoptees encourages patience and personal growth. The process of unpacking adoption’s impact, though challenging, she believes is worthwhile.

Contact Newsweek editors regarding this narrative: Kara Dolman and Emma Lee-Sang.