Types of Adoption as shown by Superheroes

Types of Adoption as shown by Superheroes post by the Ent on 4/30/20
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Types of Adoption as show by Superheroes

Superheroes have always been inspiring in one way or another. A few years ago, on our own adoption journey, we discovered that adoption plays a pivotal in almost all of our favorite superhero’s origin stories. That led to the painting shown below. Adoption is so important in our world, but the language around it can be incredibly confusing. Let’s take a look at some of our favorite heroes and see if we can clear up some confusion around the types of adoption.

**Please note that these stories are fictional and do not represent real people’s stories. In simplifying the types of adoption, we do not want to simplify adoption stories. The desire to oversimplify people’s stories is highly damaging and stereotyping. It is important to be respectful to people’s stories, adoption or otherwise.**

What is Guardianship?

Guardianship (AKA Legal Guardianship) is the act of the court appointing the care of another person to an individual or couple.  That person(s) is given legal authority over and responsibility for that person, who is generally known as a ward.  If that person(s) decides to legally adopt that individual, it will no longer be legal guardianship.  Instead it will become another form of custody (as listed below in other examples)

How is Guardianship and Adoption seen in Batman?

As seen in Volume One of Earth One, Alfred becomes the legal guardian of Bruce Wayne after the death of Bruce’s parents.  There reason for this is because prior to their death, Thomas and Martha Wayne put in their will that they wanted Alfred to be their child’s guardian.  Although this was very surprising to Alfred at first, he did eventually step up into the role.  Not only did he raise a strong man, but remains his moral compass throughout Bruce’s adult life and his transition into being a superhero.

What is Kinship Adoption?

Kinship adoption (AKA Relative adoption) is when an individual is placed within the care of relatives (or kin) or fictive kin (close family friends). When it is decided that a child can no longer stay with their parents for whatever reason, if they can be placed with a relative or close friend that is actively involved in their lives, that is ideal.

How is Kinship Adoption seen in Spiderman?

As seen in The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #5, Richard and Mary Parker leave their six year old son Peter to temporarily stay with his Aunt May and Uncle Ben while they fly overseas.  During their trip, they die or are killed (the story changes based on which universe you are in).  After their death, Aunt May and Uncle Ben adopt Peter.  Because they were previously related to him, this is a kinship adoption.

What is Domestic Infant Adoption?

Domestic Infant Adoption is adoption of an infant born within the adoptive parents country.  This happens when the birth parent(s) legally sign away their parental rights and an adoptive family is chosen for the care of the baby as their legal parents. Often the birth mother will work with an adoption agency to make a birth plan for her child and choose the adoptive parents.

How is Adoption seen in Iron Man?

In October 2019’s Iron Man #17, it was revealed that Tony Stark had been adopted as a baby by Howard and Maria Stark. This is a very recent development but is still canon. This also shows the style of infant adoption from the 70’s in which you wouldn’t tell the adopted kid that they had been adopted. This is no longer common practice because it is damaging to the child’s development. What has become more common with infant adoptions is open adoptions, where the birth mother can have a predetermined amount of contact with the adoptive family. And the children are aware of their adoptions from toddlerhood generally.

What is International Infant Adoption?

International Infant Adoption is very similar to domestic infant adoption.  The difference is that the adoptive parents are not from the same country as the adopted child. International Infant Adoption depends on multiple different jurisdictions and is often the most expensive type of adoption. We often hear people say that this is the type of adoption they would choose because then the birth family would never come back and try to take the child. This is a typical adoption myth- once the court has finalized the adoption and deemed the adoptive parents the legal parents, that ruling is permanent. While international infant adoption is not as popular as it was ten years ago, it is still a viable option for adoptive parents working through an agency. It is important to research the agencies and the people they work with to make sure that they are participating in ethical adoption practices.

How is adoption seen in Superman?

Okay, I’m taking a few liberties on this one.  Another country, another planet.  Close enough to make the point? In Superman, his biological parents send him down to Earth to protect him from the imminent destruction of their planet, Krypton.  Superman Vol 1 Issue 53, John and Martha Kent discover baby Kal-El (Superman).  They at first think about dropping him off at an orphanage, but then decide they wanted to adopt him themselves. 

What is Foster Care?

Foster Care is when a child is placed with foster parents (who are not relatives) for temporary care (this can be as little as a few days or as long as a few years).  These parents are foster parents until legal documentation occurs (which is shown in the next section), whether or not the foster parents intend to adopt. Reunification of the biological family is the goal of the foster system.

How is foster care seen in Shazam?

Although Billy Batson’s story has changed over the years, we look to Justice League Vol 2 Iss 7 for his foster story.  Billy Batson is in the foster system with no connection to his biological family. He is jumping from foster home to foster home.  He ends up in the house of Victor and Rosa Vázquez, along with 5 other kids in the foster system (who become very important to the Shazam story later on).  Although he does seem to stay with this family until he reaches adulthood, the couple never officially adopts him. (Check out our full review of the new Shazam movie here!

What is Dual Verification?

Dual Verification (AKA Foster to Adopt) is when a foster family is certified both to be a temporary foster home and a forever adoptive home. Often in these homes, a foster child is placed with foster parents with the intent to adopt that child.  Once again, until adoption finalization occurs, the goal of the court is biological family reunification.  After finalization of the adoption, the child is legally the child of the adoptive parents.

Where do we see adoption in Scarlet Witch?

 Avengers Nos. 185–187 gives the backstory of Wanda (and her brother Pietro). Wanda and her brother are adopted from foster care by Django and Marya Maximoff. This couple had just lost two of their biological children due to the ongoing war. This story does not have a very good conclusion for the adoptive parents (no spoiler). Despite that, it is a good example of children being adopted out of foster care, which is an example of dual verification.

What Next?:

If you want to learn more about adoption, there are several options. We highly suggest you check out local agency and church information sessions. Even if you are not interested in adopting, there is a lot you can do to support foster and adoptive families. From donating to your local foster closets to providing temporary care of babysitting- everyone can do something! Check out our blog- ‘We’re fostering: 5 Things we Want You to Know and 5 Ways You Can Help!

If you enjoy shopping inspirational quotes, jewelry, and enneagram gear- check out our affiliate partners over at The Goods and Better store! Where every purchase gives back to kids going through the foster system.

4 Books about adoption and adopting:

–Successful Adoption is a book (Christian emphasis with spiritual themes) that we read on our first adoption journey that we have referenced several times since and highly recommend. It walks you through the different types of adoption and helps you evaluate what may or may not work for your family with detailed question and answer sections.

–20 Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew is often listed as a recommended read. I’ve often gone back to highlighted sections of this book.

–The Whole Life Adoption Book was on our first required reading list and there were many helpful sections.

–The Connected Child is one that I am currently working through. An excellent resource for adoptive families.

4 Movies featuring adoption in a positive way:

1) Instant Family: Based loosely on the true story of the directors family, this is a wonderful comedy movie that is available to stream in multiple places right now! Here’s our full review and discussion guide! You can also find more information on their page here.

2) Meet the Robinsons: One of Disney’s more underrated animations! Featuring two children in an orphanage and how adoption changes their trajectories. It’s such a sweet movie.

3) The Blind Side: What happens to one family when they take in a teenager in need. You can find Michael Oher’s book here. There’s a good bit of controversy around the story and movie (white savior complexes, oversimplifying the story, etc) but in general we enjoyed the movie and didn’t feel like it was an offensive characture of adoption.

4) Shazam: a superhero movie that shows some of the frustrations of a teen in foster care. We’ve got a full review and discussion guide here.

What’s your favorite superhero backstory?!

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