A recent reality TV show focused on a “Long Lost Family.” This is a heart-warming and heart-wrenching program at the same time. Years ago many children born out of wedlock were given up for adoption. The acceptance at the time was very different from what it is at the present.
The family honour and reputation had to be protected at all costs, therefore a child born in these circumstances was given away and life carried on as if nothing had changed.
Family shame was protected with this gesture, but now society is more forgiving and there are many programs in place to help young mothers. People had to be stone-hearted, but such was life in the past. As a mother, my heart aches for the mothers that had to make the painful decision to give their children away.
In the reality show, two adopted individuals each searched for their birth mother and now the two are helping others to do the same. The stories are touching and heartfelt as the mothers or the children go in search of their roots. The mothers wondered about their children daily, whereas the children wondered why they had been given away. The mother’s love is strong for the long lost child which was not part of her life.
Years ago, there were stories of children given away to close family members or even to absolute strangers if the giving family could not care for them. Sometimes, other events happen, such as the sudden death of the young mother at childbirth.
Some families were large and childless couples were asked to care for a child or two from the large family. Thus, family units were broken.
Sometimes, a child was discreetly raised by the family as its own when it was actually the off-spring of a family member.
Why did society let this become such a dark part of history, instead of there being acceptance with love and understanding?
Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers!
