Living Adopted: One Woman’s Journey of Self-Discovery
China’s one child policy, known for limiting many families to a single child, ran from 1979 until 2015. Despite its end, the policy’s effects, including increased abandonment and adoption, linger. Emma Ming Fuller, a 24-year-old adoptee, was part of this wave. Adopted from Mingshan District by American parents in Los Angeles, Ming Fuller has always cherished her adoptive family. However, as she matures, she explores her origins and identity.
Being Abandoned in Central China
At three months old, Ming Fuller was abandoned outside a government building. A passerby discovered her beside a note with her birth date. Taken to the local police, she was declared ‘abandoned’ and spent over a year in a Mingshan orphanage before adoption. During this time, she shared a crib and was malnourished.
Ming Fuller, adopted in 2003, acknowledges these early experiences. As she began dating, she noticed attachment patterns. Therapy revealed that adoption significantly affected her life, challenging her belief that it didn’t matter because of her loving parents. “Both things turned out to be true,” she shared.
This realization led to her project “Living Adopted,” a video series discussing the Chinese adoptee experience in the U.S. Ming Fuller said, “I [explore] the things I face day-to-day that tie back to my adoption story.” Social media provided a platform for connection with other adoptees.
Exploring Identity Through Social Media
One of Ming Fuller’s videos, liked over 25,000 times on Instagram, shares her experience of growing up in a white community. Her series addresses identity questions, self-love, eating struggles, grief, and gratitude, all common challenges for adoptees.
Abandonment and Adoption in China
Implemented in 1982, the one child policy aimed to curb population growth, with exceptions in rural areas and for minorities. Fines, mandatory contraception, forced sterilizations, and abortions enforced it until 2015. A preference for male children led to increased abandonment of girls, many of whom found homes internationally.
For Ming Fuller, understanding this history remains a work in progress. “I haven’t yet immersed myself in Chinese culture,” she said. “I’m focused on understanding myself and my place.” To fellow adoptees, she advises patience. “Sorting through my experiences helps me understand myself. Though difficult, unpacking adoption’s impact is worthwhile, and it’s okay to take your time.”
Editors: Kara Dolman and Emma Lee-Sang