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Guy’s Bio Fam Finds Him After 29 Years, Their Hopes Of Reunion Are Crushed As He Doesn’t Need Them
Thoughtful man with beard and earbuds sitting on couch reflecting on birth family tracking him down after abandonment.

Guy’s Bio Fam Finds Him After 29 Years, Their Hopes Of Reunion Are Crushed As He Doesn’t Need Them

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You know, as the saying goes, you can’t choose your family. It isn’t a lie, you really can’t, at least most of the time. What you can choose is whether to be in contact with them when you grow up.

Whether it’s due to the toxic situation or just simply not having space for them in your life, it all depends on the context you’re in. Today’s story is a perfect example of how this choice looks in practice, but of course with a twist of drama – breakups, make-ups, guilt-tripping, and all that. Everything that makes an entertaining family drama. So, without further ado, let’s jump in, shall we? 

More info: Reddit

RELATED:

    You can’t choose who your family is, but what you can choose is whether to stay in contact with them or not

    Young man with his happy family outdoors, reflecting on complex emotions about birth family tracking him down.

    Image credits: prostooleh / Freepik (not the actual photo)

    In this story, a man found himself at a crossroads when, out of the blue, his birth family started showing an interest in having a relationship with him

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    Man’s birth family tracks him down after abandoning him, but he chooses not to have them in his life.

    Text about family openness, adoption, and respectful attitudes towards birth families despite limited knowledge.

    Text excerpt about man’s birth family who abandoned him and his decision to not connect despite their efforts.

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    Man’s birth family contacts him after abandonment, shocked he rejects reconnecting or having them in his life.

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    Man typing on laptop checking email about birth family tracking him down after abandonment and his response shown on screen.

    Image credits: rawpixel.com / Freepik (not the actual photo)

    The problem was that the man himself didn’t really have any interest whatsoever

    Text message about man’s birth family reaching out after abandoning him, expressing shock he rejects them.

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    Man’s birth family tracks him down after abandoning him, but he chooses not to connect and blocks them.

    Text excerpt showing a man’s birth family reaching out after years of abandonment, but he rejects contact with them.

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    Email excerpts revealing a man’s birth family tries to connect, but he remains loyal to his adoptive parents.

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    Text describing a man’s birth family tracking him down after abandoning him, but he rejects contact with them.

    Text excerpt about man’s birth family tracking him down after abandoning him, revealing no family history or letters were left behind.

    Man with tattoo sitting on couch holding tablet, looking thoughtful after birth family tracks him down

    Image credits: garetsvisual / Freepik (not the actual photo)

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    For him, his adoptive family was perfect they raised him in a loving home, where he was never treated as ‘less than’ just because he was adopted

    Text excerpt discussing a man’s birth family tracking him down online and his reluctance to engage with them.

    Man’s birth family tracks him down after abandoning him, but he chooses not to welcome them into his life.

    Man looking shocked as birth family who abandoned him tries to reconnect, but he refuses contact.

    Image credits:

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    And so, he didn’t give in to the birth family’s guilt-tripping to be in contact with them he simply didn’t need them

    The OP was adopted by a loving family when he was an infant and was raised in a loving and happy home. The parents never treated their biological and adoptive children differently, never lied about circumstances or the way their family was formed, and never even demonized the families the adoptive children were adopted from. Essentially, they were the parents any adoptee would dream of. 

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    One day, seemingly out of the blue, his birth family reached out, but he didn’t feel like answering them. In fact, it took him a while to do so. The people who wrote to him turned out to be his birth parents, who wanted to tell their story. 

    Apparently, they broke up 5 years after the original poster’s birth, but then got back together after a while and had more kids, who were interested in meeting their sibling – him. That’s why they found and reached out to him. Yet, even hearing their story and reasoning, the OP was set in his ways – he didn’t want to do anything with them. 

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    Granted, he isn’t the only person who was adopted and now doesn’t want to get in touch with their birth family. Statistics of the American Adoption Congress show that around 35% don’t want to meet their biological parents after adoption.

    In the case of the post’s author, since he was given away at such a young age, it’s likely that he has no proper memories of them, so it’s not like there is anything he wants back he never really had it.

    What he had was a loving adoptive family. As he said himself, it isn’t in his nature to wonder about what didn’t happen; instead, he prefers to celebrate what did. Of course, among the adoptees that belong to the aforementioned statistic, the reasons for their decision don’t have to be the same as this man’s. 

    Family walking outdoors at sunset, capturing a moment of connection amid the story of man’s birth family reunion.

    Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

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    At the end of the day, not every adopted kid has as great a childhood as the OP did. So, they might hold a grudge towards those who forced them into such a life by giving them away. Even if the folks who raised them weren’t bad, the person might still feel abandoned by their biological parents and simply not be ready to face them.

    The latter reason can especially apply to those cases where they were the sibling that got adopted out, while others stayed in the family. Sounds similar to the author’s case, doesn’t it? Yet, it doesn’t mean that this is the reason behind his refusal to accept his birth family. As he explained himself, he doesn’t hold a grudge or anything; he simply doesn’t have a place in his life for them.

    While this sounds like a good enough reason to us, given his circumstances, the birth family thought it was unfair. So they kept reaching out without taking a hint of him blocking them. Such persistence made him question his actions – maybe he was being a jerk rejecting them?

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    Well, in the netizens’ eyes, the OP wasn’t a jerk. As they pointed out, the family gave him up years ago, so they have no say in how he should react to them right now. The saying “blood’s thicker than water” doesn’t really apply here – yes, they’re blood relatives, but nothing more than that. The man doesn’t owe them anything, and they should respect his wishes instead of taking his “no” as a push to guilt-trip him.

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    What do you think? Do you agree with the netizens’ take here? Or do you think that the man should accept his birth family with open arms? We’re ready to hear out all your takes in the comments!

    Netizens thought that his choice was completely OK and that the family was overly pushy, and that by giving him away, they also gave away his acceptance of them

    Reddit comments discussing a man’s birth family tracking him down after abandonment and his refusal to engage with them.

    Man’s birth family contacts him after abandonment, shocked he refuses contact or relationship with them.

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    Screenshot of a Reddit conversation discussing a man’s birth family tracking him down after abandoning him.

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    Comments discussing a man’s birth family tracking him down after abandoning him and his refusal to include them in his life.

    Screenshot of an online discussion about a man’s birth family contacting him after abandoning him, and his refusal to reconnect.

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    Reddit conversation about a man’s birth family tracking him down after abandoning him and his refusal to reconnect.

    Alt text: Reddit conversation about man’s birth family tracking him down and his decision to keep them out of his life.

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    Comment from user Unlikely_Offer_5461 defending man’s birth family choice, supporting no relationship with birth parents.

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    Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing a man’s birth family tracking him down and their manipulative behavior.

    Comment discussing boundaries after a man’s birth family tracks him down despite his refusal to reconnect.

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    Ugnė Bulotaitė

    Ugnė Bulotaitė

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    I am a writer at Bored Panda. I have loved creating and writing down stories about people and things since I was little and I think this passion led me to get degrees in sociology, communication, and journalism. These degrees opened various paths for me, and I got a chance to be a volunteer in the human rights field, and also try myself out in social research and journalism areas. Besides writing, my passions include pop culture: music, movies, TV shows; literature, and board games. In fact, I have been dubbed a board games devotee by some people in my life.

    Read less »
    Ugnė Bulotaitė

    Ugnė Bulotaitė

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    I am a writer at Bored Panda. I have loved creating and writing down stories about people and things since I was little and I think this passion led me to get degrees in sociology, communication, and journalism. These degrees opened various paths for me, and I got a chance to be a volunteer in the human rights field, and also try myself out in social research and journalism areas. Besides writing, my passions include pop culture: music, movies, TV shows; literature, and board games. In fact, I have been dubbed a board games devotee by some people in my life.

    What do you think ?
    J R
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm sorry for the siblings, but OP owes them nothing. No shame in placing a child for adoption, but if you do, you don't get to demand the child reconnect with you. You certainly don't get to hold family medical history hostage. It's also weird to me how other adopted children have a problem with him? I'll admit; I'm not adopted, so I get that this is a situation I can never understand. However, it seems to me that it's wrong to expect one person to reconnect with their birth family because another person wishes they could do that with theirs. Like, I don't feel that because OP is adopted, he owes it to let all other adoptees live vehicularly through him.

    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    2 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Adopted child here. I am 43 now (was adopted at birth, found out I was adopted at age 6) and I have never felt an urge to ever meet my bio family. All I wanted to know was my medical history (for what I was predisposed to, if anything) and what my genetic ancestry was (that was pure curiosity. Turns out I'm a Scottish/Irish mutt. Hilariously, I was adopted into a Hispanic family. Yes, my cousins mocked and teased me mercilessly for being white.) But I never cared that I was adopted - my adoptive family IS my family. I do have two bio sisters, and my bio mom is still alive; bio dad committed su!cide in the 90s. One of my bio sisters made several attempts at contacting me over my lifetime, and I just... didn't care? I didn't HATE them, I just didn't care, if that makes any sense. They're strangers. Apparently my bio mom feels "guilty" for putting me up for adoption (not MY problem..) but she was a single mom living in poverty and already could barely care for my two older bio sisters. My bio mom and one sister REALLY seem to want to meet me and get to know me. I don't really "want" to, per se, but part of me doesn't have an issue with meeting them once so that they can feel at peace. But - to give you an adopted child's perspective - I don't really understand the "need/urge" of wanting to meet bio family. I don't really understand why my bio mom and one of my bio sisters really, REEEEEALLY want to meet me and get to know me. I'm as much of a stranger to them as they are to me (although we all apparently share a genetic "fivehead"/giant forehead, lol...)

    Load More Replies...
    Paul C
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Odds on one of the birth family needing a kidney? Seems possible as they won't take no for an answer. Only other idea I have is they are total AHs. What normal person would want to get to know someone who clearly tells you they have no interest in knowing you?

    🇺🇦 🇵🇸 TribbleThinking
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I agree. There is a crisis of some sort within the biological family. They either want a body part or money from the OP.

    Load More Replies...
    FreeTheUnicorn
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Birth family doesn't respect boundaries or care about the needs and wants of OP. Why would he want more interaction? Besides anyone who thinks they are his real family and not his actual family are not good people. Stay far away.

    Pages ByTheSea
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Meeting strangers is a crapshoot- just because you share DNA doesn't make it any better. Once you open Pandora's box crazy things can be unleashed. If you're content in life do not disrupt it to appease strangers. No boundaries, "borrowing" stuff, stopping by, asking for favors and/or money- I've seen a couple family members ruin others because they are bullies. Those people are needy greediest wanting to meet you under the guise of family. HAH.

    Ashtophet
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’m adopted, and ten years ago doing a DNA test seemed like a great idea, but I always hesitated. Now I would be afraid of who might come out of the woodwork. I’m old enough that my bio mother may not even still be alive, and I’m fine with that.

    Janelle Collard
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Same. My bio-mom bailed when I was less than 2 years old so I have no interest in her or any kids she may have had after me.

    Load More Replies...
    Lee Gilliland
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Somebody in the birth family is sick. They need OP to do a blood test in order to save him, and then Op's going to get harassed to give a kidney or a lung or something. That's the only rational reason for this behavior. OP owes these people nada and good for him.

    Nova Rook
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Seems like he has a good head on his shoulders - hi bio parents withholding medical information makes them sound horrible.

    KatSaidWhat
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So what do they need? Money? A kidney? And going unhinged when told no was not going to work in their favour - why did they think it would?

    Lee Gilliland
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It has to be medical because the birth family has mentioned it twice. That's not accidental.

    Load More Replies...
    JL C
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Other side of story, for perspective. My parents gave up a child for adoption in 1955, only 18. Parents later married had 3 more kids. Adopted kid found mom in 2010. Mom connected with adopted kid, later moved to be closer and regretted meeting him at all. Controlling, no morals and treated everyone like they were in boot camp. Mom passed in 2022 and they had not spoken since 2018 and lived 2 blocks from him. We are all no contact. Hold your ground, I wish Mom had not been so curious.

    Emilu
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh hell no. I'm of similar disposition as the OP. My life is just fine without my bio parents. I may talk to them for (my) curiosity's sake but would I upend my life just for the sake of their kids wanting to know about me? Absolutely not. I hope this doesn't have to be justified, but the parents that are always there infinitely win over the ones that want you when it's convenient for them.

    Load More Comments
    J R
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm sorry for the siblings, but OP owes them nothing. No shame in placing a child for adoption, but if you do, you don't get to demand the child reconnect with you. You certainly don't get to hold family medical history hostage. It's also weird to me how other adopted children have a problem with him? I'll admit; I'm not adopted, so I get that this is a situation I can never understand. However, it seems to me that it's wrong to expect one person to reconnect with their birth family because another person wishes they could do that with theirs. Like, I don't feel that because OP is adopted, he owes it to let all other adoptees live vehicularly through him.

    LakotaWolf (she/her)
    Community Member
    2 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Adopted child here. I am 43 now (was adopted at birth, found out I was adopted at age 6) and I have never felt an urge to ever meet my bio family. All I wanted to know was my medical history (for what I was predisposed to, if anything) and what my genetic ancestry was (that was pure curiosity. Turns out I'm a Scottish/Irish mutt. Hilariously, I was adopted into a Hispanic family. Yes, my cousins mocked and teased me mercilessly for being white.) But I never cared that I was adopted - my adoptive family IS my family. I do have two bio sisters, and my bio mom is still alive; bio dad committed su!cide in the 90s. One of my bio sisters made several attempts at contacting me over my lifetime, and I just... didn't care? I didn't HATE them, I just didn't care, if that makes any sense. They're strangers. Apparently my bio mom feels "guilty" for putting me up for adoption (not MY problem..) but she was a single mom living in poverty and already could barely care for my two older bio sisters. My bio mom and one sister REALLY seem to want to meet me and get to know me. I don't really "want" to, per se, but part of me doesn't have an issue with meeting them once so that they can feel at peace. But - to give you an adopted child's perspective - I don't really understand the "need/urge" of wanting to meet bio family. I don't really understand why my bio mom and one of my bio sisters really, REEEEEALLY want to meet me and get to know me. I'm as much of a stranger to them as they are to me (although we all apparently share a genetic "fivehead"/giant forehead, lol...)

    Load More Replies...
    Paul C
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Odds on one of the birth family needing a kidney? Seems possible as they won't take no for an answer. Only other idea I have is they are total AHs. What normal person would want to get to know someone who clearly tells you they have no interest in knowing you?

    🇺🇦 🇵🇸 TribbleThinking
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I agree. There is a crisis of some sort within the biological family. They either want a body part or money from the OP.

    Load More Replies...
    FreeTheUnicorn
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Birth family doesn't respect boundaries or care about the needs and wants of OP. Why would he want more interaction? Besides anyone who thinks they are his real family and not his actual family are not good people. Stay far away.

    Pages ByTheSea
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Meeting strangers is a crapshoot- just because you share DNA doesn't make it any better. Once you open Pandora's box crazy things can be unleashed. If you're content in life do not disrupt it to appease strangers. No boundaries, "borrowing" stuff, stopping by, asking for favors and/or money- I've seen a couple family members ruin others because they are bullies. Those people are needy greediest wanting to meet you under the guise of family. HAH.

    Ashtophet
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’m adopted, and ten years ago doing a DNA test seemed like a great idea, but I always hesitated. Now I would be afraid of who might come out of the woodwork. I’m old enough that my bio mother may not even still be alive, and I’m fine with that.

    Janelle Collard
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Same. My bio-mom bailed when I was less than 2 years old so I have no interest in her or any kids she may have had after me.

    Load More Replies...
    Lee Gilliland
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Somebody in the birth family is sick. They need OP to do a blood test in order to save him, and then Op's going to get harassed to give a kidney or a lung or something. That's the only rational reason for this behavior. OP owes these people nada and good for him.

    Nova Rook
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Seems like he has a good head on his shoulders - hi bio parents withholding medical information makes them sound horrible.

    KatSaidWhat
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So what do they need? Money? A kidney? And going unhinged when told no was not going to work in their favour - why did they think it would?

    Lee Gilliland
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It has to be medical because the birth family has mentioned it twice. That's not accidental.

    Load More Replies...
    JL C
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Other side of story, for perspective. My parents gave up a child for adoption in 1955, only 18. Parents later married had 3 more kids. Adopted kid found mom in 2010. Mom connected with adopted kid, later moved to be closer and regretted meeting him at all. Controlling, no morals and treated everyone like they were in boot camp. Mom passed in 2022 and they had not spoken since 2018 and lived 2 blocks from him. We are all no contact. Hold your ground, I wish Mom had not been so curious.

    Emilu
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh hell no. I'm of similar disposition as the OP. My life is just fine without my bio parents. I may talk to them for (my) curiosity's sake but would I upend my life just for the sake of their kids wanting to know about me? Absolutely not. I hope this doesn't have to be justified, but the parents that are always there infinitely win over the ones that want you when it's convenient for them.

    Load More Comments
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