The Government’s apology for historic forced adoption practices in England is a significant and long-overdue moment. For many of the mothers, adopted people and wider families affected, it comes after decades of grief, silence and unanswered questions.
An estimated half a million children were adopted in England and Wales between 1949 and 1976, many of them born to unmarried mothers. Not every adoption during this period was forced, but parliamentary inquiries and testimony from those affected have documented practices in which women were denied meaningful choice or did not give genuine and informed consent.
Forced adoption and the need for lifelong support
The Government’s apology for historic forced adoption practices in England is a significant and long-overdue moment. For many of the mothers, adopted people and wider families affected, it comes after decades of grief, silence and unanswered questions.
An estimated half a million children were adopted in England and Wales between 1949 and 1976, many of them born to unmarried mothers. Not every adoption during this period was forced, but parliamentary inquiries and testimony from those affected have documented practices in which women were denied meaningful choice or did not give genuine and informed consent.