Why my birth parents tried to keep me a secret
Brendan Watkins discovered he was adopted when he was eight. He found his birth parents after decades of searching - it was then he realised why they tried to keep him a secret.
Brendan Watkins was just eight years old when he found out he was adopted. Although he didn't start to look for his birth parents until he was in his twenties, it would be a search that would go on for decades and reveal astonishing secrets. When he eventually learned the truth, Brendan began to understand why his birth parents had gone to such extreme lengths to hide that they'd ever had a child. Brendan is completing a memoir about his life experiences called Birthrights - it will be published in 2023 - for more information, go to: brendanwatkins.com.au
If you've been affected by any of the issues we've covered in this programme, you can find more information on the BBC Action line website, or at Befrienders.org
Get in touch: [email protected]
Presenter: Emily Webb
Producer: June Christie
(Photo: Brendan Watkins. Credit: Courtesy of SBS 'Every Family Has A Secret')
Last on
Broadcasts
- Mon 20 Jun 202211:06GMTBBC World Service
- Mon 20 Jun 202217:06GMTBBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
- Mon 20 Jun 202221:06GMTBBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
- Tue 21 Jun 202202:06GMTBBC World Service
Contact Outlook
Info on how we might use your contribution on air
Podcast: Lives Less Ordinary
Step into someone else’s life and expect the unexpected
