Where did the Term 'Gotcha' Originate?

julie j

Hi Heather,

Whoever started "Gotcha" you can be certain they were not an adoptee. It refers to the nickname some adoptive parents call the day they "got" their adopted children. They celebrate it anually by doing things with the children. Other adoptive parents call that day "adoption day." Still others, do not celebrate that day at all.

The term â€œGotcha Dayâ€ seems to have been coined recently, with the first International Gotcha Day having been celebrated September 15, 2005, declared so by Margaret Schwartz. Yet the term has already â€œbecome thoroughly entrenched in adoption-speak,â€ writes Karen Moline, author of "Get Rid of Gotcha." She goes on to say "I find the use of "gotcha" to describe the act of adoption both astonishing and offensive. Aside from being parent-centered ("C'mere, little orphan, I gotcha now!") it smacks of acquiring a possession, not welcoming a new person into your life."

Anybody seriously interested in knowing more about Gotcha Day and the connotations of it should read her full article http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/articles.php?aid=1266

Some adoptive parents say the phrase is cute and endearing â€“ a â€œwarmer, friendlierâ€ version of â€œadoption day.â€ Those who dislike â€œGotcha Dayâ€ call it â€œcrude, ill-mannered, inappropriate and cheapâ€ â€“ â€œinsufficient for expressing the importance of a childâ€™s homecoming.â€

Most adoptees, myself included, find the term offensive. Thank goodness it wasn't around when we were growing up. I believe the wishes of the adoptee should be considered before adoptive parents decide to call it "gotcha day," if indeed they feel the need to celebrate that day at all, since that day also represents a loss to the adoptee.

Hope this link is informative.

julie j

lahdh4

It was started with international adoptions when the paps "got" their child to bring them back home.

It is a disgusting term

taraloha

I'd never heard of this before I read your post.

I am an adoptive mother and I generally disagree with your posts and answers Heather, but I have to say that this term irritates me no end. "Gotcha?" Ugh. When I talk about my son, I talk about "the day we brought him home," not "the day we got him." I HATE that. It makes him sound like a dog or something.

Wistall

I was adopted and I believe the term 'gotcha' comes from adoptive parents for the first day they get their child. To me the term sounds like I was hiding or something, hard to catch maybe. I was 2 when I was adopted and do not remember anyone saying 'gotcha'. It is a bad term I think.

à®œBECà®œ ~Lucy's~ ~Mummy~

got you.... got ya.... gotcha

Cam

Stirring up the pot again this morning....

For those folks who'd really like to know; It is termed Gotcha or "Gotcha Day" and intended to celebrate the day a child who was adopted became a member of the family.

I think you knew that though.

Angela E

I was adopted in 75 and my parents use that term.

I don't know where it originated from...but I know it's been around awhile

Charlie149

"Gotcha Day" is not at all the same as "Adoption Day."
Gotcha Day is the day that adoptive parents first have physical custody of their new child. Adoption Day is when a court decree makes the adoption final.

I think "Gotcha Day" is fine, and certainly better than "Physical Custody Day."

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