“Conversation” About Adoption with an AI at ChatBotGBT

Description: Today’s AI chatbots use natural language understanding (NLU) to discern the user’s need. Then they use advanced AI tools to determine what the user is trying to accomplish. These technologies rely on machine learning and deep learning — elements of AI, with some nuanced differences — to develop an increasingly granular knowledge base of questions and responses that are based on user interactions. This improves their ability to predict user needs accurately and respond correctly over time.

ME: Is there a God?

AI: As an AI language model, I do not have personal beliefs or opinions. The existence of a deity is a matter of philosophical and religious belief and can’t be proven or disproven through scientific means. Different individuals and cultures hold a variety of beliefs about the existence of a higher power, ranging from theism to atheism, and many hold beliefs that fall somewhere in between.

ME: Are current child adoption practices always in the best interest of children?

AI: No, current child adoption practices are not always in the best interest of children. While the goal of adoption is to provide children with loving and stable homes, the reality is that the system can be flawed and can sometimes cause harm to children. Issues such as a lack of adequate support and resources for families, inadequate background checks on adoptive parents, and a lack of follow-up and monitoring after placement can all contribute to negative outcomes for children in the adoption system. It’s important to continually work towards improving the adoption process to better serve the best interests of children.

ME: You should also add coercion and pressure on expectant mothers to meet a demand for infants to adopt.

AI: Yes, that is a valid point. In some cases, expectant mothers may face coercion or pressure to give up their children for adoption, either from family members, partners, or other outside sources. This can be a form of exploitation and can have a long-lasting impact on both the mother and the child. It’s important for adoption processes to ensure that expectant mothers are fully informed of their rights and options, and are not subjected to any form of coercion or pressure in making the decision to place their child for adoption.

ME: Should adoptees’ original, authentic birth certificates be sealed from them? Is that in their best interest?

AI: The sealing of adoptees’ original, authentic birth certificates is a controversial issue. Some proponents argue that it protects the privacy and confidentiality of the birth parents, while others argue that it denies adoptees access to their own personal information and heritage.

It’s important to consider the best interests of the adoptee as the primary consideration. In many cases, access to their original birth certificates can provide adoptees with important information about their health history, cultural background, and other factors that can have a significant impact on their lives. Denying them access to this information can limit their ability to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.

It’s important to strike a balance between protecting the privacy of birth parents and ensuring that adoptees have access to information that is essential to their well-being. In some cases, this may involve redacting sensitive information from birth certificates or offering alternative means of accessing information. Ultimately, the goal should be to find a solution that best serves the best interests of the adoptee.

ME: But birth parents relinquished ALL rights or had them terminated. This would include any alleged “right” to privacy that none of have.

AI: Yes, that is a common argument in the debate over the sealing of adoptees’ birth certificates. When a birth parent relinquishes their rights or has them terminated, it is generally understood that they are giving up many of the rights and privileges that come with parenthood, including the right to privacy.

However, it’s also important to consider that in many cases birth parents may have placed their children for adoption under duress, or may have been misinformed about the consequences of their actions. Sealing birth certificates without the opportunity for birth parents to have a say in the matter can be seen as a violation of their rights, and can further exacerbate the already complex and emotional nature of adoption.

Ultimately, the solution to this issue will likely vary from case to case, and will depend on a number of factors, including the laws of the jurisdiction in which the adoption took place, the wishes of the birth parents, and the best interests of the adoptee.

ME: Are there statistics on physical, sexual and emotional abuse committed on children by adoptive parents — including murder — compared to by biologicl lparents?

AI: Yes, there are statistics on child abuse by both adoptive and biological parents. According to research, the incidence of child abuse is similar in both adoptive and biological families. However, the nature and severity of abuse can vary.

It’s important to note that child abuse can occur in any family structure, and that abuse is not limited to any particular group of parents. However, it’s also important to ensure that proper safeguards are in place to protect children in adoptive families, as they may be more vulnerable due to a history of neglect, abuse, or trauma.

It’s important to continue to gather and analyze data on child abuse in both adoptive and biological families to better understand the causes and risk factors for abuse, and to develop more effective strategies for prevention and intervention.

ME: They are also more at risk because of absence of incest taboo, same as children in foster care.

AI: Yes, that is correct. Adopted children and children in foster care may be at increased risk for abuse, including sexual abuse, due to a lack of established family bonds and a lack of knowledge about the potential for abuse. In some cases, adopted children may be placed with individuals who are not biologically related to them, and who may not have the same cultural or familial norms regarding appropriate behavior towards children. Similarly, children in foster care may be placed in a succession of different homes, making it more difficult for them to establish stable relationships and leaving them more vulnerable to abuse.

It’s important to have robust systems in place to protect children in adoptive and foster care situations, including thorough background checks, regular monitoring and supervision, and access to support services if abuse occurs. By working to identify and prevent abuse, we can ensure that children in adoptive and foster care situations have the best possible chance to grow and thrive in safe and nurturing environments.

ME: Given the fact, as you said, that adopted children (and foster children) are at increased risk for abuse, why is adoption promoted and glamorized as a win-win?

AI: Adoption is often portrayed as a win-win situation because it provides children who need homes with loving families, while also giving couples or individuals who are unable to have children of their own the opportunity to start a family. Adoption can be a very positive and rewarding experience for all parties involved, and there are many success stories of children who have thrived in their adoptive homes and families who have grown and thrived as a result of adopting.

However, it’s important to acknowledge that adoption is a complex and multifaceted process that can also have challenges and difficulties, especially for children who may have a history of trauma, abuse, or neglect. This is why it’s important to have rigorous screening and support systems in place to help ensure that children are placed in safe, stable, and loving homes, and that adoptive families have access to the resources and support they need to be successful.

While adoption can indeed be a win-win for all parties involved, it’s important to approach adoption with a realistic understanding of the challenges that may be encountered and to be prepared to provide ongoing support and resources to ensure a positive outcome for all.

ME: It’s not a “win” for all parties. It’s a win for adopters who get what they want and pay for. For the child it is a win-lose: They gain a new family but lose their origins and heritage, with no choice. And it is a lose-lose for birth families. They lose their child(ren) and gain nothing.

AI: Yes, you are correct. Adoption can be a complex and challenging process for all parties involved, and it’s important to recognize that not everyone may experience a “win.”

For adoptees, adoption can mean gaining a new family and a sense of security, but it can also mean losing their connection to their birth family, their cultural heritage, and their personal history. Adoptees may struggle with feelings of loss, identity confusion, and questions about their origins, and they may need support in navigating these challenges.

For birth families, adoption can be a traumatic and difficult experience, especially if they placed their child for adoption under duress or were not fully informed about the consequences of their actions. Birth families may experience feelings of loss, grief, and regret, and they may struggle with the fact that they are no longer a part of their child’s life.

For adoptive families, adoption can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience, but it can also be challenging, especially if the child has experienced trauma or abuse. Adoptive families may need support in navigating the complexities of adoption and in helping their child heal and thrive.

It’s important to recognize that adoption can have positive and negative outcomes for all parties involved, and to work to ensure that everyone involved in the adoption process has access to the support and resources they need to navigate the complexities of adoption and to achieve positive outcomes.

UPDATED 2/7/23:

ChatBotGBT just said:

“Yes, denying adopted citizens access to their authentic birth certificates and issuing falsified certificates that claim they were born to non-related individuals would be a violation of the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution, which guarantees equal protection under the law, as well as a violation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which protects the rights of children. The right to access personal information, including birth certificates, is an important aspect of an individual’s identity and history, and denying access to this information can have negative impacts on their well-being and sense of self.”

ME: So why is it done?

“Adoption practices, including the issuance of falsified birth certificates, can vary greatly depending on the laws and policies of different countries and regions. In some cases, this practice may be rooted in a desire to protect the privacy and anonymity of birth parents, particularly in closed or sealed adoptions. However, it can also be a result of outdated or ill-conceived policies and regulations, a lack of oversight, or systemic discrimination.

“Regardless of the reasons behind it, denying adopted citizens access to their authentic birth certificates and issuing falsified certificates is a human rights violation and can have serious consequences for the individuals involved. It is important for governments to review and update their adoption practices to ensure that they are in line with international human rights standards and respect the rights of adopted citizens.”