A Question of Paternity: The Intimate Journey of Unknown Origins
September 17, 2024
Hosted by Christine Erickson
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Guest Information
Episode Description
Today we will discuss self-identity in the context of not knowing one's birth origins. How do social and familial circumstances shape our identities when we enter the world, and throughout our lives? In particular, what is the potential impact of not knowing the origins of your DNA, and the person who embodies it? Nuclear families, parents, guardians, and other immediate people in a child's life, often well-intentioned have withheld knowledge of children's birth identities. While it is more common for this to be a matter of paternity, children who are adopted, whose parents have died, or who otherwise live not knowing the origins of their birth, may also not know the identity of who gave birth to them. What are the reasons for this, and how does this ultimately impact the self-identity of children and adults? David Tereshchuk, author of "A Question of Paternity: My Life as an Unaffiliated Reporter", will share his insight and intimate experiences, seeking to find the identity of his father. His story is heartrending and one that will be deeply resonant for so many.
New Legacy Radio
Tuesday at 10 AM Pacific Time on VoiceAmerica Variety Channel
New Legacy Radio (NLR) is a social justice platform that amplifies the experiences, perspectives, and contributions of people without children. The show also navigates the multigenerational and intergenerational impact of social and systemic discrimination based on personal reproductive and relationship experiences. In conversation with diverse guests, who have lived experience, and allies, we discuss how these constructs relate to basic human rights, the natural world, global priorities, transnational relationships, and beyond. NLR is brought to you by New Legacy Institute (NLI), the first global policy institute to advocate for the rights of people who do not have children and policy without pronatalism. New Legacy Radio airs live on the VoiceAmerica Variety Channel every Tuesday at 10 AM Pacific Time. Listen live and on-demand: https://www.voiceamerica.com/show/4062
Christine Erickson
Christine J. Erickson (she/her) is the founder of New Legacy Institute (NLI), the only institute focused on the global imposition and real-world impact of pronatalist constructs and policy, and the demographic of people who do not have children. The Institute advocates for equal individual protections across reproductive and relationship experiences, as an urgent, foundational change to social policy. Christine is an experienced leadership advisor, social entrepreneur and policy advocate with vast and diverse global experience. She has an MBA in International Management from Thunderbird School of Global Management.
