From Abandoned to Essential: China’s Ban on International Adoptions Signals a New Era for Daughters From Abandoned to Essential: China’s Ban on International Adoptions Signals a New Era for Daughters By Makena Tom on November 4, 2024 For decades, Chinese daughters were abandoned in favor of sons, leading to waves of international adoptions like Kate's. This new restriction on international adoption seems to signal a change in how Chinese society views its daughters today.