BirthMom Buds
A Brief History on
Adoption
by Alicia M.
(as featured in the Jan 2004 BirthMom Buds
Bulletin)
One of the first written accounts of
adoption dates back 4000 years to the Code of Hammurah. The Egyptians, Greeks,
and Romans recognized and legalized adoption. For instance, to ensure the
continuation of his power Julius Caesar adopted his nephew Octavian, who was
later known as Caesar Augustus, "from whom there went out a decree that all the
world should be taxed." (Luke 2:1-7).
However the primary interest in adoption for earlier societies was to secure the
continuation of power rather than serve the best interests of the child.
Consistent with their beliefs that children were property, Greeks and Romans
treated children as secondary parties to the adoption contract. The bible
provides the first view of adoption as covenant rather than a contract. Ancient
Hebrews believed that contracts governed the exchange of property but that the
formation of personal relationships was by a covenant, a sacred promise that was
the foundation of kinship and family.
The story of Moses in the Old Testament is a classic account of the adoption
covenant. When his mother feared that Moses would be killed, she placed him in a
reed basket on the Nile River. He was found by Pharaoh’s daughter who rescued
him and the Bible says, Moses "became her son."
Moses' life and well-being were secured by the sacrifice of two women: his
mother and Pharaoh’s daughter. Their adoption contract was a promise which
ensured that Moses' life would be spared and nurtured. And I know from speaking
with many of you, mainly on line, that is what you were doing for your child(ren),
placing them in the best environment for emotional and physical nurturing. And
this tradition goes back many, many years, mothers making a hard decision based
on love for their child(ren), just like you did, and you and future birth moms
continue to be a part of adoption history.