The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, February 21, 1979, Page Page 18, Image 18
^uupxion
By Ellen Goodman
Tin Boston Qlobo
BOSTON ? Not long ago, the adoption of a
handled like a top secret real-estate d*al. The bii
signed away the deed to her property, relinqui
rights forever, and the adoptive parents becam
elusive new owners
The adoption agency acted as a kind of real-esta
in this business. In the course of their negotiations
mother was promised anonymity and the adoptiv
were promised a clear title. They were now, an
more, The Only Parents.
The role of the agency after the deal was cl
simply this: to keep the birth parent free from <
and the adoptive parent free from intrusion AnH
? AI IVt
was freed from what they felt would be the pain
fusion of having "two mothers" or "two fathers."
The theory was that then everyone could forget tl
But secrecy never kept anyone from wondering,
past few years, as illegitimate birth has bee
shameful and roots more meaningful, birth mot
adoptees have wondered out loud about each other
Some have gone further. Adoptees like Betty Jai
have written publicily of their search for birth
Many birth mothers have formed support grouj
they can remember and recover together. And to<
are several organizations, like Orphan Voyag
On
Satire
1 pffpyc soaked Itto'i
lvf v;V^ JL kJ more for a ha
Gamecock, al
ine source
The Gamecock welcomes letters Smith's local
from its readers. Letters should be terview Bossy
a maximum of 300 words and must
be signed with the writer's correct
name, telephone, mailing address, think of the mi
class standing and major. Bossy*- s
Pseudonyms are unacceptable, but casion.
the writer's name may be withheld Reporter: Ho
by request if circumstances affect you.
warrant. We reserve the right to !
edit letters for space. Address andeducaie 11
IpttorL' frv. /~v "
?wvvi o V^d mpus upinion, The a slt;reo lr
Gamecock, Drawer A, USC, Travolta fevei
Columbia, S.C. 29208. ' ' Reporter: Saj
stuff in your tr
Qamecock
v ^ ? time there's a
F?naM 1908 Reporter: Wh
Mark J. Lundoren Editor in Chief ability to pay?
Don Fobes Copy Desk Chief 'BoSSy: Milker
Reporter: Wh
Tom Travis News Editor
David Baker Entertainment Editor
Brett Frledlander Sports Editor
Dave Roback Graphics Editor
Barbara Mathews Wire Editor #
Jim Phillips Editorial Page Editor \j\J | ? S
Leigh Grogan Assistant News Editor
Lehman Stile*. Assistant Entertainment Ed.
Janice Wood Graduate Assistant
Jill Griffin Advertising Manager res]
Fran George Production Manager
Jon Clemmensen General Manager
SamMcKee Business Manager A
M?rk Ethrldge Jr Adviser !
Sole reproduction rights granted to the
Associated Press. All other material con- 1 J
talned herein may not be reprinted without I
the permission of the editor. I r" I
Opinions expressed In the Gamecock are
those. If signed, of the writer and, If unsigned,
of the senior editorial staff.
* - ^
mam
not alway
/ Adoptees Liberty Movement of An
adults in finding birth parents.
child was
th parent So increasingly, adoption ager
shing her handling requests, pleas and court o
1"^ J
lv mi, ca- ocaicu ictuiuM. i iic cnangcs in 3tt
coming so fast that it may not be
respect the old property lines and Dc
te broker This past week in Washington, for
, the birth mother of two, Carolyn Brinker, w
e parents sealed birth records. Under the ter
d forever District of Columbia Department of
will try to find her parents themsel
unwilling to meet with RrinLw
osed was formation about her medical ba?
exposure, department can't locate her birth p
the child she'll be given their names and last k
and con- The careful decision is one of a
"property" has become a princip
he past. adoptee's "need to know" has been c
The cases are delicate ones. In ea<
Over the the right of the adoptee to know h
ome less especially the medical or genetic hisi
hers and the birth parent to privacy, if he or si
balance the new ideas about the valu
neLipton adoptee's emotional security, with
parents. secrecy for the adoptive parents' ei
ps where careful, partial changes like these ar
lay there
e or the I suspect that it won't be very lo
dilk price hike S
byDonFobes poor mothers drink?
Bossy: Let em eat cake.
C. Dairy Commission Reporter: You're a m<
is again ? six cents cow, Bossy.
If gallon of milk. The Bossy: I've been told I'nr
Iways eager to get to of human kindness.
sent a reporter to Reporter: Don't-you t
I dairy farm to in- price increase is exorbita
the cow. Bossy: Nooo. Just a dr<
jssy, what do you bucket.
ilk price hike7 Reporter: You sound
a mooomentous oc- likeHenny Youngman.
Bossy: I'm his gag write]
w does it personally living.
Reporter: Being a motl
I can decently clothe self, you don't exhib
ny calves. Maybe I'll compassion.
i the barn ? I've got Bossy: What do you ex{
* bad. and my kind have been o
what's that bubbly for a long time. How'd yoi
ough? I put my cold hooves on yc
lpagne. The Dairy breasts every morning an?
ends me a case every Reporter: Can't argue w
price boost. What do you plan to do v
at about the public's new-found wealth?
Bossy: Change my diet. ]
n for all their worth. of the grass around here;
at will the babies of buy some Mexican grass
To the Editor:
I confess that to deb
C1 learned Mr. Norris on the n
A A lOv/11 the present system is like k
dead horse on the last la]
Derby. However there ar<
J inaccuracies in his replv di
Friday (February 16). I f<
should redeem myself
ficiently pointing them out
- (1) Mr. Norris appoin
j\J parliamentarian ostc
beCrlllSP (hp conata nrltfinrt#
V**v UVIH4VV' auvi^Cl
do so. This adds credenc*
claim that he is unaware
/1 ,C y f* proper procedures ("F
Rules of Order"). I was a:
him to assume this
presumably because
s final th
terica, which will assist information is rou
be much longer I
who want contacl
icies find themselves ched. Nor will it b
rders to open up the old fantasies of thoust
itudes and actions are We assume that
1 - --- --
yuasiuie any longer 10 this, if only elimin
> Not Trespass signs. may also be some
example, a 22-year-old
on the right to see her We don't know >
ms of the decision, the This is an era wl
Human Resources first abortions nr raic?*
ves. If the parents are perhaps more) p
le will still see the in- without the promis
ckground. But if the And what will b<
>arents within 60 days, real threat of a
;nown address. relationships with
few in which the old will be their fear <
>le, and in which the t'MS make me, a ba
onsidered paramount. nhanaoc
m. aav v?<U>*gVO UUI
ch, we have to balance adoption itself. T1
lis or her own past ? this way: "totake,
tory ? with the right of any more,
le wishes it. We have to
le of "openness' for the The law reflects
i the old promises of not always the fina
motional security. But be the beginning of
e under way.
1979, The Boston (
ng now before genetic . Post Writers Grouj
nom.P/Yit no i q
. - W vx f * VW f s/l/v/ l/l/u
I'll invest in Moo Heifer s rag.
Reporter: Who's Moo Heifer?
ean moo- Bossy: Come on. You kn
publisher of PlayCow Magaz
1 the milk He started with a little spread,
now he has a big layout.
hink the Reporter: Right on, Bossy. ^
nt? strike me as a rebel ? a cow \
op in the thinks for herself.
Bossy: Not reallv I HH#?
strangely herd; even belong to a uni
You've heard of OPEC (Oh Pie
r ? it's a don't Eat Cows). Ronald I
Donald tops our hate list,
ler your- Reporter- I'm in your stall all
it much way. How do you keep so u
informed, Bossy?
>ect? Me Bossy: I subscribe to Better Bai
ppressed and Gardens.
i like it if Reporter: Do you watch TV'
>ur wife's know you listen to the radio.
i night? Bossy: Sure. Love Green Acr
'ith that, but hate Wagon Train.
vith your Reporter: That seems natural. P
there any words you live by?
Cm tired Bossy: Well, when E.F. Hutl
think I'll speaks, I listen; Hubby Ferdinar
i. Maybe particularly bullish on America.
knowledgable (sic) in these ru
Mr. Norris in denying this must
asserting that he gives favo
ate the
neritsof (sic> without concern for
ickinga dividual merit. I wish to ass
3 of the those who do not know me the
e a few
jblished did not accept the parliam
tarian's post as a favour (sic) fr<
iel that 1 the astute Mr- Norris. If it w
by efintended
as a bribe for me, I
sorry your honor. I failed
ted me recognise (sic) it.
inciWIti
Jf
1 him to . .
? to my (2) As for mV dismissal: IV
of the Norris had the authority to remo
me at his discretion.
tk^hv acknowledge that. I doubt it
... J such a move was either well-tinu
position fair or consecrate(i by the hi]
was priests of politics.
?>g A H Q1TQ
itinely given to adult adoptees. It may not
>efore birth parents and adult adoptees
t with each other can be routinely mate
long before many of the best and worst
inds are fulfilled.
; there will be some good effects from all
a ting the terror of the unknown. But there
difficult implications for the future
vhat the effect will be on adoption itself,
len most unwed pregnant women have
their own babies. How many fewer (or
regnant women will consider adoption
se of anonymity?
i the effect on adoptive parents? Will the
i "shadow parent" affect their own
their children? How greatly increased
)f loss? As one woman said, "What does
bysitter?"
Tiflnri at (pact a hofin ? -?
.vuuv U uuoiv Itiiiici (JlCldllUll UI
ie dictionary defines the word "adopt"
as one's own child." But it isn't that clear
a deeper reality, that adoption today is
il transfer of a piece of property, but may
a lifelong emotional triangle.
ilobe Newspaper Company/Washington
)
'occasion
Rfinnrtpr' <Jav ic ,:"i
k/MJ ) AO VI Id I CUIC 11 L Lit?
calf yours?
ow, Bossy: You bet your Pullitzer
ine. Prize.
but Reporter: I don't notice much
family resemblance.
{ou Bossy: Take a gander at the
vho milkman ? that explains the blue
eyes.
tke Reporter: What's your big gripe ?
something to make a cow kick?
agg Bossy: Ulcers. With four
stomachs, seems I'm forever
gulping Pepto Bismol.
.a ^ * *
the ??P"rier: Dome contend that milk
/ell cows are Pricing themselves out of
the market, and that people may
rns sw^c^ to 8<>at milk. How do you
respond to that charge?
> j Bossy: Horsefeathers. Historians
consider us so important they date
es time by us, like in B.C. ? before
' cows. 1 don't feel any danger.
^ Besides, there's alwavs holv India
Reporter: I see. If you had one
wish, what would it be?
on Bossy: I'd love to take this blasted
1 is bell off my neck and ring Farmer
Smith's chimes.
? If IO - 1
*?. 10 paiciiiiy iaise tlicit I was
be improperly absent. No rules are
urs prescribed for the attendance of
the parliamentarian. Therefore, on
the two occasions last semester
in~ that I was absent, I submitted
tr<[ typed excuses. I confess that for
1 personal reasons I have been
absent without excuse twice this
en" semester.
am
/as I counsel that the senate has its
problems. However, it is on tho
'm
tG whole a fair system. It is the
pettiness of a mere few that
hampers the efforts of the senate.
Our learned Vice PrpsiH^n#
r ?
? instructed us.
I
|at Thomas Wilkinson
>d, Former Parliamentarian
Student Senate