Adopting Micronesian children across international borders

Abstract

This paper discusses adoption, commonly referred to as moumou, in the Mortlock Islands, Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). Moumou remains a common practice by the Mortlock Islands community in the 21st century even within the setting of the Compact of Free Association with the US, which allows Mortlockese to set up permanent homes in the US. This paper introduces moumou and ponders if and how it can potentially co-exist with US family laws. Further, it considers how Mortlockese can continue to practice moumou outside the FSM.

Keywords

• micronesia
• mortlock islands
• adoption
• us diaspora