This essay is such brilliant cultural criticism Lane!! I have not been watching Severance and this essay makes me want to, simply so I can watch for this analysis — you’ve really given us a whole new way of thinking about control, manipulation and the body.
Special shout-out for discussing adoption in terms of the damage it does. In my experience even people who are progressive loathe to see the truth. As an adoptee of the Baby Scoop Era, I was both gaslit as a supposedly "wanted" child who was treated as staff and, after finding my birth mother, a living, breathing inconvenient truth to that family. We treat puppies better.
What is the baby scoop era and why have I not heard of this?? TY for sharing and I’m so sorry this happened to you.
I bet the “relinquishment” book would really resonate w you. I only became aware of these issues when I reported on family issues and became aware via black women and advocates in the transracial adoption space.
The Baby Scoop Era started just after WWII and ended in the 70s after Roe. Unwed (white) mothers were sent to maternity homes like Florence Crittenton to hide their shame and be primed to relinquish their babies to deserving but infertile (white) married couples. 1.5 million women gave birth an told to forget it ever happened so they could have essentially a "do-over" of their lives and get married. Meanwhile, adoptive parents were afforded the chance to become "normal" nuclear families. See "The Girls Who Went Away" by Ann Fessler: https://www.thegirlswhowentaway.com/
As a late in life birth mom who had already raised two children, I'm always grateful when people talk about the inherent pain/trauma in relinquishment. Everyone loves the happy ending for the adoptive parents and forget/ignore/neglect the birth moms who made it possible. Our pain is taboo and unwelcome, both because we're a pain phobic culture and because birth moms commit the ultimate sin of giving away "the greatest gift" of a child. How dare we be visible with our painful feelings about it, no matter our reasons.
I chose an open adoption with a friend who couldn't conceive where I get to have an intimate relationship with my son (the only way I could do it) and our initial separation still broke me in ways I didn't anticipate. The first days without him felt like my whole body was screaming "where is my baby?" Nobody talks about that part. Birth mother forums turned out to be retraumatizing because there is so much pain there (especially about open adoption betrayals that are far too common). Anyway, thank you for being real about relinquishment.
April, thank you for sharing this and I'm so sorry this happened to you. There are others in this thread that have shared similar stories, too. You make so many good points here about taboos and women's bodies in re: to adoption/relinquishment that we really don't talk about. You might find the book "Relinquishment" validating, or re-traumatizing--but the research definitely qualified your experience.
Wow, Lane. I hadn’t thought about so many of these connections you’ve drawn. As a former adoption caseworker who (*deeply* regretfully), administered actual, legal relinquishments in what feels like a past life, this read hits close to home. I could devour another article about how these systems successfully convince all the well-intentioned people required to carry out the work of enslavement, that what they’re doing is ushering in a new and innovative future for humankind. Loved reading this.
Short answer: my brain finished fully developing. 😅 I worked in that role from ages 21-25, before I had enough life experience and critical thinking skills to identify the coercion my clients were under within their conservative families and communities. In their world, there was one and only one acceptable choice to make in their situation. So despite the options I presented them (abortion care, parenting resources, or adoption), they didn’t truly feel empowered to even fully consider those possibilities. I regret being part of a system that was designed to administer the one path that prioritized everyone’s wellbeing over the pregnant young woman.
such a good read and took on discussion i wasn’t expecting, thank you!! Severance is full of reproductive imagery (Lumon headquarters looking like a uterus, water drop symbol which could mean water or blood and water is classically identified as female in some indigenous cultures) and now the addition of the conversation of relinquishment adds a whole other layer which gets me excited for the show but also so much more aware of our present world.
Totally! I had not thought of the water/womb symbol, good catch! And the water tower!
There’s the birthing cabins, Helly swimming and slowly eating an egg v auspiciously (hello Helly is pregnant fan theories). We had some fun w this in an MR severance group chat last week, too. Molly had more connections too but I only had so much space!!
She esp noted that whatever happens to the innies in the birthing cabins is insane! Like their whole existence is labor and childbirth only to have the baby snatched away 😬😬 Def resonates w horrors for enslaved women too.
I haven’t watched Severance, and now I don’t think I want to (!) because I have a tough time with psychologically thrilling media. But part of your essay reminds me of the book I’m reading, Looking for Jane by Heather Marshall. It’s about forced child relinquishment in Canada.🇨🇦 As a person born in Canada, I find it really distressing to read (even from a fictional angle) about the terribly oppressive practices forced upon minorities. But as a person in the world, I know that the more I know, the better I can do.
Lane, you've done it again! I only recently began watching Severance and recall you saying how this piece was one of your most popular from Matriarchy Report. So every time I sit down to watch it, I think of you!
The anti-abortion parallel to severance felt like it became so clear at the end of Season 1. It's all so cringey. I'm only a few episodes into Season 2, so will pause on finishing the rest of your piece.
Love this. I hadnt really thought too much about Huang/Cobel so thank you for illuminating me. This makes me think of the ep where the go on a hike and Hellys outie coerces Mark into intercourse, managing to violate both Mark and Hellys innie. Its an interesting exploration of power and autonomy for sure!
This essay is such brilliant cultural criticism Lane!! I have not been watching Severance and this essay makes me want to, simply so I can watch for this analysis — you’ve really given us a whole new way of thinking about control, manipulation and the body.
Thank you so much, Allison!
Holy shit. This is incredible. 👏🏼👏🏼
Thanks so much, Carmen! 😊
Special shout-out for discussing adoption in terms of the damage it does. In my experience even people who are progressive loathe to see the truth. As an adoptee of the Baby Scoop Era, I was both gaslit as a supposedly "wanted" child who was treated as staff and, after finding my birth mother, a living, breathing inconvenient truth to that family. We treat puppies better.
What is the baby scoop era and why have I not heard of this?? TY for sharing and I’m so sorry this happened to you.
I bet the “relinquishment” book would really resonate w you. I only became aware of these issues when I reported on family issues and became aware via black women and advocates in the transracial adoption space.
The Baby Scoop Era started just after WWII and ended in the 70s after Roe. Unwed (white) mothers were sent to maternity homes like Florence Crittenton to hide their shame and be primed to relinquish their babies to deserving but infertile (white) married couples. 1.5 million women gave birth an told to forget it ever happened so they could have essentially a "do-over" of their lives and get married. Meanwhile, adoptive parents were afforded the chance to become "normal" nuclear families. See "The Girls Who Went Away" by Ann Fessler: https://www.thegirlswhowentaway.com/
Like Peggy in Mad Men! Wow. Thx for this info.
As a late in life birth mom who had already raised two children, I'm always grateful when people talk about the inherent pain/trauma in relinquishment. Everyone loves the happy ending for the adoptive parents and forget/ignore/neglect the birth moms who made it possible. Our pain is taboo and unwelcome, both because we're a pain phobic culture and because birth moms commit the ultimate sin of giving away "the greatest gift" of a child. How dare we be visible with our painful feelings about it, no matter our reasons.
I chose an open adoption with a friend who couldn't conceive where I get to have an intimate relationship with my son (the only way I could do it) and our initial separation still broke me in ways I didn't anticipate. The first days without him felt like my whole body was screaming "where is my baby?" Nobody talks about that part. Birth mother forums turned out to be retraumatizing because there is so much pain there (especially about open adoption betrayals that are far too common). Anyway, thank you for being real about relinquishment.
April, thank you for sharing this and I'm so sorry this happened to you. There are others in this thread that have shared similar stories, too. You make so many good points here about taboos and women's bodies in re: to adoption/relinquishment that we really don't talk about. You might find the book "Relinquishment" validating, or re-traumatizing--but the research definitely qualified your experience.
Wow, Lane. I hadn’t thought about so many of these connections you’ve drawn. As a former adoption caseworker who (*deeply* regretfully), administered actual, legal relinquishments in what feels like a past life, this read hits close to home. I could devour another article about how these systems successfully convince all the well-intentioned people required to carry out the work of enslavement, that what they’re doing is ushering in a new and innovative future for humankind. Loved reading this.
Wow, what an experience! Thanks for sharing and thank you for reading. Curious what made you think differently about your case work. Woof.
Short answer: my brain finished fully developing. 😅 I worked in that role from ages 21-25, before I had enough life experience and critical thinking skills to identify the coercion my clients were under within their conservative families and communities. In their world, there was one and only one acceptable choice to make in their situation. So despite the options I presented them (abortion care, parenting resources, or adoption), they didn’t truly feel empowered to even fully consider those possibilities. I regret being part of a system that was designed to administer the one path that prioritized everyone’s wellbeing over the pregnant young woman.
Wow, so well said. And I feel the “brain not finished fully developing” all the way in my bones!
So many “inherited ideas” that I carried into on my 20’s before I questioned them that were harmful.
Wow, so well said. And I feel the “brain not finished fully developing” all the way in my bones!
So many “inherited ideas” that I carried into on my 20’s before I questioned them that were harmful.
Excellent analysis! 2025’s Stepford Wives on steroids. It must be revealed and deconstructed to oblivion!
Ha! Had not made the Stepford Wives connection! Thank you and thanks for reading :)
such a good read and took on discussion i wasn’t expecting, thank you!! Severance is full of reproductive imagery (Lumon headquarters looking like a uterus, water drop symbol which could mean water or blood and water is classically identified as female in some indigenous cultures) and now the addition of the conversation of relinquishment adds a whole other layer which gets me excited for the show but also so much more aware of our present world.
Totally! I had not thought of the water/womb symbol, good catch! And the water tower!
There’s the birthing cabins, Helly swimming and slowly eating an egg v auspiciously (hello Helly is pregnant fan theories). We had some fun w this in an MR severance group chat last week, too. Molly had more connections too but I only had so much space!!
She esp noted that whatever happens to the innies in the birthing cabins is insane! Like their whole existence is labor and childbirth only to have the baby snatched away 😬😬 Def resonates w horrors for enslaved women too.
wow, this is incredible
TY Caro, means a lot coming from you! Love the pod :)
I haven’t watched Severance, and now I don’t think I want to (!) because I have a tough time with psychologically thrilling media. But part of your essay reminds me of the book I’m reading, Looking for Jane by Heather Marshall. It’s about forced child relinquishment in Canada.🇨🇦 As a person born in Canada, I find it really distressing to read (even from a fictional angle) about the terribly oppressive practices forced upon minorities. But as a person in the world, I know that the more I know, the better I can do.
Why did ANY women vote for the Trump government?
A question for the ages
This is so so good!! Grateful for your brain!!
Aw thank you so much, CN! What a kind comment :) TY for reading.
Wow. Amazing analysis.
Thank you ! :)
This is brilliant!
Aw, thank you!!
Really excellent essay. Thank you!
Thank you Jessica 😊
Lane, you've done it again! I only recently began watching Severance and recall you saying how this piece was one of your most popular from Matriarchy Report. So every time I sit down to watch it, I think of you!
The anti-abortion parallel to severance felt like it became so clear at the end of Season 1. It's all so cringey. I'm only a few episodes into Season 2, so will pause on finishing the rest of your piece.
TY Sarah! I can’t tell you how pleased I am that when you watch Severance you think of me lol 😂
Love this. I hadnt really thought too much about Huang/Cobel so thank you for illuminating me. This makes me think of the ep where the go on a hike and Hellys outie coerces Mark into intercourse, managing to violate both Mark and Hellys innie. Its an interesting exploration of power and autonomy for sure!