Frontline Season 15 Episode 5 Secret Daughter
- November 26, 1996
In season 15 episode 5 of Frontline, titled "Secret Daughter," the show delves into the emotional and legal complexities of international adoption and reunification.
The episode focuses on the story of a young woman named Deann Borshay Liem, who was adopted from South Korea by an American family when she was just six months old. Growing up, Deann always knew she was adopted but had no information about her birth family or heritage.
As an adult, Deann begins to question her identity and yearns to discover more about her biological family. She travels back to South Korea and starts to piece together the puzzle of her past, eventually uncovering the shocking truth that her birth mother never consented to the adoption.
Deann's story raises important questions about the ethics of international adoption and the rights of birth parents. It also highlights the emotional toll of being separated from one's biological family and the difficulties of reconnecting with them years later.
Through interviews with experts, adoptive parents, and adopted children, Frontline explores the complex web of legal and emotional issues surrounding international adoption. The show grapples with questions such as: How can we ensure that international adoptions are ethical and respectful of birth parents' rights? What is the emotional impact of being separated from one's biological family? And what support should be available for adoptees who want to reconnect with their birth families?
"Secret Daughter" is a moving and thought-provoking episode that sheds light on the challenges facing adoptive families, birth parents, and adoptees alike. It invites viewers to consider the ethical implications of international adoption and to reflect on the importance of preserving connections to one's roots and heritage.