We are often told that decisions in the child welfare system are driven by science and the "best interest" of the child. But what happens when developmental theory is twisted into a legal weapon to permanently destroy Black and Brown families?

In this episode of Torn, hosts Sonia and Classie are joined by Jessica C. Duesler, a board-certified licensed clinical social worker and forensic consultant with 20 years of experience.

Together, they dismantle the way "attachment theory" is misused in courtrooms to justify legal human trafficking and forced cultural assimilation. Jessica challenges the field to admit that using attachment language to finalize family separation isn't science—it is a tool of cultural judgment used to punish parents for systemic harm.

If attachment theory were used ethically, it would be applied on the front end to prevent unnecessary removals and prioritize keeping families together. Whether you are an attorney, a social worker, or a community advocate, this episode will arm you with the arguments needed to challenge subjective evaluations and demand true, evidence-based family preservation.

Resources Mentioned:

• Article: "The Weaponization of Whiteness in Child Welfare" by Jessica Desler and Malika (MJ) Jihad (The Guardian)

• Jess's Practice & Consulting: Colorado Forensic Family Advocacy

If Part 1 exposed the commodification of children, Part 2 dissects the machinery that keeps it running—and offers a roadmap for how we disrupt it. We return with Astrid Castro (Adoption Mosaic) and MJ (Maleeka Jihad) to move beyond the comfortable checklist of "cultural competency" and demand true Adoption Literacy.

In this conclusion to our conversation, we shift from the "why" to the uncomfortable "how." We discuss the dismantling of the ethical framework of modern adoption. Together, we explore the clash of value systems (axiology) that fuels entitlement—where white cultural values prioritize "ownership" (member-to-object) while Black and Latine values prioritize "relationship" (communal).

The episode concludes with a vision for the future: why adoption must cease to be a cure for infertility, why co-parenting is the only ethical standard, and how projects like "Letters to Stolen Loved Ones" are creating space for grief and repair.

Resources Mentioned:

• Adoption Mosaic (Astrid Castro)
• MJCF Coalition: Letters to Stolen Loved Ones Toolkit
• Study Mentioned: Edwards, Fong, & Apel (JAMA Pediatrics, Dec 2025) on foster care outcomes

When we talk about transracial adoption, the prevailing narrative is often one of "love rescued" and "happily ever after." But for many adoptees, the reality is a complex journey of loss, erasure, and survival.

In this episode, hosts Sonia and Classie are joined by two powerhouse guests: Astrid Castro, CEO of Adoption Mosaic and an intercountry adoptee, and MJ (Maleeka Jihad), an anti-racist strategist and expert on the family regulation system. Together, they dismantle the "rainbows and unicorns" status quo to reveal the transactional nature of the child welfare industry