theoretical approaches

There are a number of Theories that can be applied to our discussion about Adoption and the revised contact laws.
Feminist Perspective
If the Feminist Perspective is used it would give social, political and all other rights to women, equal to men. The Theory would respect the attainment of rights for women. It objects to paternalistic views of a person’s rights. From a feminist perspective, women are expected to take responsibility for making plans for their child if they are not able to care for the child. Fathers are expected be equally responsible as a parent and to be involved to support the mother. Some fathers escape their responsibility by their own choice or by expecting the woman to take care of the “problem.”
Oppressive Perspective
When the Theory of Oppressive Perspective is used, Oppression is explained as the cause of most social problems. Oppression occurs when a person is blocked from opportunities for self development or is excluded from full participation in society. A person may be assigned second class citizenship not because of individual talent, merit or failure, but because of his or her membership in a particular category of people. (Mullaly, B. 2001, p. 312). Challenges to bringing about change are created by the psychological and interpersonal difficulties associated with oppression. Empowerment is a way to transform an oppressive environment. The experience of adoption and the new Adoption Contact Laws can fit under this perspective. If one looks at the history of adoption, there was a time when it was taboo for a single woman to become pregnant and to care for a child alone, resulting in second class citizenship for those who broke Society standards. Individual suitability to be a good parent was not considered.
Anti-Oppressive Perspective
An Anti- Oppressive Perspective Theory has a political purpose and a goal for social justice. Anti-Oppressive Theory must benefit the local community. Links are made between personal problems and their structural causes to enable oppressed people to change themselves and their social conditions. People may feel the frustration of being denied basic individual rights and so they use collective action to attain these rights. A key concept of anti-oppressive work is ‘empowerment’. Troubles are redefined in social or political terms, thus providing alternative explanations. Using the process of liberation, anti-oppressive theorists confront stereotypes and develop a positive self image. Using the concepts of this theory, anyone may chose to place their child for adoption if they believe that they cannot meet the needs of the child for whatever reason. Single mothers have gained respect in society. Policies and community resources to meet the needs of families and children have been set up. This theory may have contributed to the development of the original Disclosure Registry and of the revised Adoption Contact Laws.
Critical Perspective
The Critical Perspective Theory is used to critique a changing society as a whole. It considers the critique of domination, emancipation, interest, fusion of social/cultural analysis and considers explanation and interpretation with social/cultural critique. This perspective could also be used to review the policy related to adoption and would consider the needs and wishes of all stakeholders and it would consider the wishes of the Society at large separately.
Post Colonial Theory
The Post Colonial Theory focuses on subjectivity, identity, power and knowledge. Post colonial theory enables readers to ask questions about who speaks for whom, under what conditions and to what ends. This Theory would look at the way Society has changed since the time when European culture was predominant in Ontario. Adoption records have been closed since 1927. Secrecy surrounded adoption since this was considered to be the best way to handle adoption at the time according to Colonial thought. Post Colonial Theory recognizes the needs of individuals, some who may be interested in change and some who wish to maintain the status quo. In Post Colonial Theory, it is important to gain knowledge, to look at who speaks for whom and under what conditions, rather than to make sweeping global changes that not all birth families, adoptees, or adoptive families may be comfortable with. Post Colonial Theory would allow individuals to decide what they need, when and if they wish to have contact and what any type of contact would look like.
H.