In a letter published on 8 July, Jane Lawson raises a critical point about the forced adoption narrative: the absence of fathers from the blame. She notes that while women have long been shamed for 'getting themselves pregnant,' the men involved—often married, in positions of authority, or even priests—have largely escaped accountability.
The Blame Game
Lawson observes that 'many fathers were married and their denials were believed.' This, she argues, has allowed men to sidestep responsibility for the forced adoptions that devastated countless young mothers. The shame and burden fell entirely on women, who were left to carry and then lose their babies forever.
Unheard Stories
The letter calls for a broader examination of the role men played. 'How good it would be to hear their stories and for them to perhaps accept some accountability for what happened,' Lawson writes. She highlights that some fathers were frightened young men without the means to marry, while others were powerful figures whose transgressions were quietly covered up.
A Call for Accountability
Lawson's letter challenges the prevailing narrative that places sole blame on institutions and mothers. By including fathers in the discussion, she hopes to achieve a more complete understanding of the injustices of forced adoptions. Her words resonate with many who have felt that the full story has yet to be told.
