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Adoption Nation How The Adoption Revolution Is Transforming America
Adoption is both sweeping the nation and changing it, accelerating our transformation into a more multicultural and multiethnic country and helping to redefine our understanding of "family." Adoption Nation is essential reading for adoptive families, for anyone contemplating adopting a child, and for everyone touched by this extraordinary cultural transformation.
368 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2000
15 people are currently reading
264 people want to read
About the author
Adam Pertman
7 booksAdam Pertman is the Executive Director of the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute, the pre-eminent research, policy and education organization in its field. A highly sought-after speaker, Pertman has delivered hundreds of presentations internationally, and is the recipient of many awards for his work. He is also the Associate Editor of Adoption Quarterly. Pertman is widely quoted by journalists and hasappeared as a guest on Oprah, Today, The View, Nightline, among other national programs. Before embarking on his current career, Pertman was a senior journalist with The Boston Globe for over two decades. He lives in Massachusetts with his wife and their two adopted children. Learn more at www.adampertman.com. "
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 3, 2011
This book didn't keep me. I found myself too often mired in the fat pools of statistical data, and then put off by the relentlessly chipper tone that seemed to undermine the reality of adoption's complexity -as well as the complexity of race/class/culture in the US. Perhaps if I hadn't read the dismal but emotionally honest "Outsiders Within: Writing on Transracial Adoption", "Adoption Nation" would have been a more compelling book.
September 19, 2011
I'd read the original version a couple of years ago, and this one is even better--bringing us up to the minute with the use of Facebook and other social media, and the sad story of the "mother" who sent her adopted child back to Russia.
The author's passion for making adoption as good as possible for all members of the triad (children, birthparents and adoptive parents) comes through clearly. Pertman covers social and political changes concerning adoption, the current situation from the perspective of everyone involved: not only adopted infants and both sets of parents but foster children, adoption agencies, and legislators. His facts are well-supported by endnotes and are absorbingly interlaced with stories of actual people.
Pertman treats most viewpoints with respect, but he clearly is not happy with keeping birthparents' records permanently closed or with legislators who block legislation to get children into healthy permanent homes with relatives or adoptive families.
Highly recommended to prospective adoptive parents, birthparents, and children; extended families of those considering adoption, social workers, health care workers, teachers, clergy, government officials, and anyone at all involved with adoption or foster care.
The author's passion for making adoption as good as possible for all members of the triad (children, birthparents and adoptive parents) comes through clearly. Pertman covers social and political changes concerning adoption, the current situation from the perspective of everyone involved: not only adopted infants and both sets of parents but foster children, adoption agencies, and legislators. His facts are well-supported by endnotes and are absorbingly interlaced with stories of actual people.
Pertman treats most viewpoints with respect, but he clearly is not happy with keeping birthparents' records permanently closed or with legislators who block legislation to get children into healthy permanent homes with relatives or adoptive families.
Highly recommended to prospective adoptive parents, birthparents, and children; extended families of those considering adoption, social workers, health care workers, teachers, clergy, government officials, and anyone at all involved with adoption or foster care.
May 31, 2016
A great look at the history of adoption and where it's headed in the future. A great read for anyone thinking about adoption, who is adopted and ever felt out of place, wondered about their parents, or didn't wonder about their parents. It's mainly a look at private adoptions, and had he talked a little more about public I think it would have been a five star book. However - overall it's the most comprehensive look at adoption in America I've read so far, told with facts and research along with personal stories both of his own and other families.
November 15, 2012
Pertman is an effective advocate for open adoption and unsealing of records, both as steps to affirming the role of adoption in the US. He also does a good job of laying out the economic realities of private adoption (available to higher wealth families) versus public adoptions in America, without being condemning of the choices made by individuals in building their families. All in all, a good piece of work and very easy to read and digest.
August 28, 2017
3.5 stars. Certainly covers every aspect at least briefly, but seems to unfortunately fall in between being the layman and the academic type book. Not enough stories and human interest to quite keep it interesting reading on that front, but not particularly in depth in the other aspects to be a real reference. A good general overview, but neither a really fun nor really academic read.
August 18, 2017
Adam Pertman, a true expert in the field of adoption, provides his readers with a comprehensive account of adoption in America. He gives detailed explanations of many aspects of adoption – legal issues, costs, perspectives of each adoption triad member: birthparents, adopted parents, and children, realities of various types of adoption: private, international, from foster-care, motivations for adopting, implications for transracial and transnational families, society’s growing awareness of adoption; if there is a topic related to adoption in the US, Pertman addresses it along with well-researched data to illustrate his points.
Pertman advocates for transparency in adoption, open adoption records, and all-around-acceptance and understanding of a part of life that touches everyone in America. Throughout the book, he weaves his personal testimony on adoption with testimonies of others to bring to life many complicated perspectives on adoption.
I especially liked the history that Pertman provides in each chapter. He traces adoption in America back to the 1700s, through the early laws of the 1800s, the orphan train movement of the early 1900s, the growth and decline of international adoptions since the 60s, controversies over transracial families, laws enacted and repealed, and the continued need of children in foster care today. Pertman describes how adoption as an institution has changed over time with society and must continue to change to ensure those directly involved are guaranteed the best possible outcome.
I appreciated this quote from page 23, which captures what Pertman explains throughout Adoption Nation: “Adoption’s glory is that it has fulfilled the dreams of millions over the years; but it has always been an emotionally wrenching and legally complicated process, because, by its nature, it must balance the rights and needs of vulnerable people.”
I recommend this book to anyone looking to be well informed on all aspects of adoption in the US, and especially to prospective adoptive parents looking to clearly understand the many facets of adoption.
May 11, 2012
O livro oferece uma visão bastante abrangente do contexto da adoção hoje, o qual ultrapassa a experiência norte-americana, ainda que tenha ali seu foco.
O autor consegue mostrar-se engajado - trata-se de um pai adotivo - mas oferece um amplo leque de informações que serão de valia para qualquer um que tenha interesse no tema.
Adam Pertman
Adoption Nation
The Harvard Common Press - Boston, Massachusetts
2011 - 333p
Contents
Foreword by Madelyn Freundlich, ix
Prologue, xiii
1 out of the shadows, into our lives, 1
2 a legal maze from coast to coast, 35
3 joy and surprises from abroad, 64
4 adptees: the quest for identity, 99
5 birth parents: a painful dilemma, 133
6 adoptive parents: infertility begets a family, 166
7 special needs, diverse families, 201
8 the money's the problem, 236
9 old lessons for a new world, 266
x
he shows how adoption impacts our view of ourselves, our changing families, our metamorphosing communities, and our growing connections to a global world. since it forces us to confront questions about personal identify, the nature of family, the relationships between racial and ethnic communities, and the role of different societies' perspectives on children and families, adoption has long demand much wider and deeper attention than it has received.
4
busca origens exemplo
5
idem
8
Extrapolating from us census data, we can guesstimate that there are at least 7 million adopted children and adults in the US today; add in birth parents, adoptive parents, grandparents, siblings, uncles and aunts, and nephews and nieces, and the number of people directly connected to adoption soars into the tens of millions.
9
the adoption institute survey showed that nearly six of every ten americans have had a 'personal experience' with adoption. that means they, a family member, or a close friend were adopted, adopted a child, or placed a child for adoption. and a stunning one-third of those polled said they had 'at least somewhat seriously' considered adopting a child themselves.
10
birth certificates
12-3
birht mothers choice - open adoption
14
open adoption
16
fenomenologia da busca de informações sobre o passado por parte do adotado
18
limite da concepção de arvore genealogica
20
english common law, on which america's founders modeled our own legal system, made no reference to adoption at all; in fact, it wasn't until 1926 that england approved its first generalized adoption statute.
21
...massachusetts in 1851 enacted legislation that set out strict procedures for giving children new parents. it was the first u.s. adoption law...
23
identify confusion
29
south korea remained the major source of young adoptees until the 1990s...china...
30
1964 = 1700 adotados abroad
2004 = 22.884
2009 = 12.753
34
busca origens
adoptees are the only u.s. citizens who don't automatically have the right to obtain the records relating to their births.
37
of the approximately 135.000 adoptions approved in u.s. courts every year - only about 14.000 of which involve newborns ...
39
this standard operating procedure assured a central role for secrecy, the institutionalization of which began with the minnesota act of 1917, the first statute to seal adoption records.
40
somo adoption workers still comply with adoptive parents' requests for children of a given gender or physical description, but such selectivity in any form is now rejected in the vast majority of cases.
41
estados com broad access birth certifcates
44
during the 1950s, the number of people seeking to adopt babies roughly equaled that of women placing their children. today, about six would-be parents apply for every available baby.
45
because we were infertile
46
in fact, about 40 percent of private domestic adoptions in our contry are by stepmothers, stepfathers, and other relatives assuming legal guardianship.
47
experts estimate that over half of all newborns adopted in this country are now placed independently.
...the biggest boom is at the grass roots, where there has been a huge increase in adoptions arranged by the parental participants themselves.
53
while adoption agencies exist nationwide, fewer and fewer states mandate their use in any way.
57
other processes, designed to help adoptees obtain information about themselves or locate their biological parents, are equally obscure and inconsistent.
67
onde of the defining characteristics of the adoption revolution is the realization of this truth: incoporating an adopted child's heritage and history into daily life is invariably invaluable. as a result, a growing number of agencies and social workers are advising prospective parents to do just that - explicitly abandoning the longtime fantasy of blind assimilation.
68
between 1948 and 1953, Americans adopted 5.814 children from germany and greece.
69
sending coutries for four decades: korea, china, russia
71
2009: 12.018 adoptions abroad usa
2004-5: more than 22.000
....before 1970, when virtually all adoption in the u.s. was of infants born domestically.
84
no doubt that hague convention is being imperfectly implemented, inconsistently interpreted, and even circumvented.
87
many of the estimated two hundred to three hundred American boys and girls adopted elsewhere annualy are of mixed race, suffer from handicaps, or otherwise have special needs (canada).
100
the search for identify is an essential , inescapable part of life.
101
today, the most active and passionate adoption revolutionaries are the ones who believe they have the right to obtain all the pieces of their personal puzzles.
102
bastard nation
103
the internet is a central player in the adoption revolution.
specifically, they focus on obtaining two things: their original birth certificates and the right to find blood relatives with no ifs, ands, or buts attached.
113
...a big majority of the hundreds of thousands of adoptees searching for their birth mothers (...) are women.
187
casos de deportação por não ter a cidadania
1996: immigration and naturalization act
210
older black children are benefiting most because , as a group, they have always been the ones least adopted by americans.
237
...one of every four children in this country is being raised by a single parent, usually the mother but increasingly the father
275
safe-haven laws
276
...today more granparents than ever before are raising a granchild - 2.4 million in the last census had primary responsibility for their grandchildren.
278
...the terminal illness emergency search program, devised by bastard nation to help adoptees suffering from fatal diseases find their birth relatives in order to obtain tranplants or information that might prolong their lives, or just to meet them once before die.
287
adoção e violência
289
busca origens - joni mitchell
290
idem
O autor consegue mostrar-se engajado - trata-se de um pai adotivo - mas oferece um amplo leque de informações que serão de valia para qualquer um que tenha interesse no tema.
Adam Pertman
Adoption Nation
The Harvard Common Press - Boston, Massachusetts
2011 - 333p
Contents
Foreword by Madelyn Freundlich, ix
Prologue, xiii
1 out of the shadows, into our lives, 1
2 a legal maze from coast to coast, 35
3 joy and surprises from abroad, 64
4 adptees: the quest for identity, 99
5 birth parents: a painful dilemma, 133
6 adoptive parents: infertility begets a family, 166
7 special needs, diverse families, 201
8 the money's the problem, 236
9 old lessons for a new world, 266
x
he shows how adoption impacts our view of ourselves, our changing families, our metamorphosing communities, and our growing connections to a global world. since it forces us to confront questions about personal identify, the nature of family, the relationships between racial and ethnic communities, and the role of different societies' perspectives on children and families, adoption has long demand much wider and deeper attention than it has received.
4
busca origens exemplo
5
idem
8
Extrapolating from us census data, we can guesstimate that there are at least 7 million adopted children and adults in the US today; add in birth parents, adoptive parents, grandparents, siblings, uncles and aunts, and nephews and nieces, and the number of people directly connected to adoption soars into the tens of millions.
9
the adoption institute survey showed that nearly six of every ten americans have had a 'personal experience' with adoption. that means they, a family member, or a close friend were adopted, adopted a child, or placed a child for adoption. and a stunning one-third of those polled said they had 'at least somewhat seriously' considered adopting a child themselves.
10
birth certificates
12-3
birht mothers choice - open adoption
14
open adoption
16
fenomenologia da busca de informações sobre o passado por parte do adotado
18
limite da concepção de arvore genealogica
20
english common law, on which america's founders modeled our own legal system, made no reference to adoption at all; in fact, it wasn't until 1926 that england approved its first generalized adoption statute.
21
...massachusetts in 1851 enacted legislation that set out strict procedures for giving children new parents. it was the first u.s. adoption law...
23
identify confusion
29
south korea remained the major source of young adoptees until the 1990s...china...
30
1964 = 1700 adotados abroad
2004 = 22.884
2009 = 12.753
34
busca origens
adoptees are the only u.s. citizens who don't automatically have the right to obtain the records relating to their births.
37
of the approximately 135.000 adoptions approved in u.s. courts every year - only about 14.000 of which involve newborns ...
39
this standard operating procedure assured a central role for secrecy, the institutionalization of which began with the minnesota act of 1917, the first statute to seal adoption records.
40
somo adoption workers still comply with adoptive parents' requests for children of a given gender or physical description, but such selectivity in any form is now rejected in the vast majority of cases.
41
estados com broad access birth certifcates
44
during the 1950s, the number of people seeking to adopt babies roughly equaled that of women placing their children. today, about six would-be parents apply for every available baby.
45
because we were infertile
46
in fact, about 40 percent of private domestic adoptions in our contry are by stepmothers, stepfathers, and other relatives assuming legal guardianship.
47
experts estimate that over half of all newborns adopted in this country are now placed independently.
...the biggest boom is at the grass roots, where there has been a huge increase in adoptions arranged by the parental participants themselves.
53
while adoption agencies exist nationwide, fewer and fewer states mandate their use in any way.
57
other processes, designed to help adoptees obtain information about themselves or locate their biological parents, are equally obscure and inconsistent.
67
onde of the defining characteristics of the adoption revolution is the realization of this truth: incoporating an adopted child's heritage and history into daily life is invariably invaluable. as a result, a growing number of agencies and social workers are advising prospective parents to do just that - explicitly abandoning the longtime fantasy of blind assimilation.
68
between 1948 and 1953, Americans adopted 5.814 children from germany and greece.
69
sending coutries for four decades: korea, china, russia
71
2009: 12.018 adoptions abroad usa
2004-5: more than 22.000
....before 1970, when virtually all adoption in the u.s. was of infants born domestically.
84
no doubt that hague convention is being imperfectly implemented, inconsistently interpreted, and even circumvented.
87
many of the estimated two hundred to three hundred American boys and girls adopted elsewhere annualy are of mixed race, suffer from handicaps, or otherwise have special needs (canada).
100
the search for identify is an essential , inescapable part of life.
101
today, the most active and passionate adoption revolutionaries are the ones who believe they have the right to obtain all the pieces of their personal puzzles.
102
bastard nation
103
the internet is a central player in the adoption revolution.
specifically, they focus on obtaining two things: their original birth certificates and the right to find blood relatives with no ifs, ands, or buts attached.
113
...a big majority of the hundreds of thousands of adoptees searching for their birth mothers (...) are women.
187
casos de deportação por não ter a cidadania
1996: immigration and naturalization act
210
older black children are benefiting most because , as a group, they have always been the ones least adopted by americans.
237
...one of every four children in this country is being raised by a single parent, usually the mother but increasingly the father
275
safe-haven laws
276
...today more granparents than ever before are raising a granchild - 2.4 million in the last census had primary responsibility for their grandchildren.
278
...the terminal illness emergency search program, devised by bastard nation to help adoptees suffering from fatal diseases find their birth relatives in order to obtain tranplants or information that might prolong their lives, or just to meet them once before die.
287
adoção e violência
289
busca origens - joni mitchell
290
idem
May 1, 2022
Adoption Nation provides a good introduction to adoption issues that were relevant up to the time of its publication, though I didn't like the treatment or wording of a few of the topics covered.
The book is divided into three main sections that each have three chapters: 1) Don't Whisper, Don't Lie - It's Not a Secret Anymore, 2) Sensitive Issues, Lifelong Process, and 3) Tough Challenges in a Promising Future. The chapters in the first section are on the history of adoption for Americans domestically and internationally; in the second section, on the lifelong challenges for adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive parents; and in the third section, on the complexities of families in the adoption systems and in the systems themselves.
Pertman draws from various studies and other adoption-focused books that are cited in the back. He also uses case studies in a journalistic style, though not consistently. Adoption Nation had much valuable information, some of which I was already familiar from my own work in adoption/foster care and with which I agreed. Discussions about parents who adopted domestically through private infant adoption routes read as a little defensive at times - a product, I imagine, of the author himself being the father of two children who were adopted via domestic infant adoption in the U.S. One of my greatest qualms with the book is the "commerce-like" language that was used at times when referring to children available for adoption and the fees associated with adopting a child from XYZ situation.
The last chapter was the weakest of the book; the penultimate chapter, one of the strongest.
This edition of Adoption Nation was published in 2011, so some of the content is outdated, but I certainly don't fault the book for that. The author is a former executive director of the (now defunct) Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute.
The book is divided into three main sections that each have three chapters: 1) Don't Whisper, Don't Lie - It's Not a Secret Anymore, 2) Sensitive Issues, Lifelong Process, and 3) Tough Challenges in a Promising Future. The chapters in the first section are on the history of adoption for Americans domestically and internationally; in the second section, on the lifelong challenges for adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive parents; and in the third section, on the complexities of families in the adoption systems and in the systems themselves.
Pertman draws from various studies and other adoption-focused books that are cited in the back. He also uses case studies in a journalistic style, though not consistently. Adoption Nation had much valuable information, some of which I was already familiar from my own work in adoption/foster care and with which I agreed. Discussions about parents who adopted domestically through private infant adoption routes read as a little defensive at times - a product, I imagine, of the author himself being the father of two children who were adopted via domestic infant adoption in the U.S. One of my greatest qualms with the book is the "commerce-like" language that was used at times when referring to children available for adoption and the fees associated with adopting a child from XYZ situation.
The last chapter was the weakest of the book; the penultimate chapter, one of the strongest.
This edition of Adoption Nation was published in 2011, so some of the content is outdated, but I certainly don't fault the book for that. The author is a former executive director of the (now defunct) Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute.
March 3, 2019
I found this book extremely helpful and informative. As someone considering adopting I really appreciated that this books looks at adoption not only presenting it in a positive light but also noting the ways in which adoption has involved dishonesty, exploitation and a corrupting focus on money. Pertman is himself an adoptive father and he speaks at times from his personal experience. His writing can be repetitive at times especially concerning the issue of adoptees not having access to original birth certificates. Nonetheless I found his writing compelling, engaging and well researched. I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting to know more about adoption in America.
April 25, 2011
I've read quite a few adoption-related books at this point for personal interest, and I found this one to be an excellent overview of the state of adoption today. I'll admit, as a first-time "waiting" parent, I am a newbie to the area, but this is the first book that really helped define my general sense that a huge shift is occurring in the US attitudes towards adoption. My sense came from reading books that seem dated even though they're only five years old; attending meetings where open adoption is discussed as the default for new adoptions, but where the term still raises eyebrows; and from conversations where when people find out we're in an adoption process say, "oh, from what country?", rather than, "oh...". Highly recommended for anyone wanting a bit of structure to understand the changes that are occurring.
The only reservation I have relates to two pages late in the text regarding NCFA and the LDS church. This was the one point in the text where I found myself thinking that the discussion had gone a bit too far in linking the actions of individuals (Mormons who adopt) to the possible motives of large organizations (LDS church or NCFA). I'd liked to have seen some data supporting those linkages (e.g., a survey of adoptive parents on motivations for adopting) before they were asserted.
The only reservation I have relates to two pages late in the text regarding NCFA and the LDS church. This was the one point in the text where I found myself thinking that the discussion had gone a bit too far in linking the actions of individuals (Mormons who adopt) to the possible motives of large organizations (LDS church or NCFA). I'd liked to have seen some data supporting those linkages (e.g., a survey of adoptive parents on motivations for adopting) before they were asserted.
April 12, 2011
I found this book to be so informative. I have wanted to adopt a child for a long time. My husband is not there yet. I would love to adopt a boy close to my children's age. This book has given me a lot more to think about. One of the best features of this book, is the Adoption Resources. I had no idea where to even start, but I sure do know. Another feature that I loved about this book was the index. For example, if I want to find where I read about "Older children," there is an index that leads me exactly to where it is discussed in the book. I think this is so valuable, given the amount of information contained in this great book. If you are even considering adopting, going through the adoption process, or just want to learn more about adoption, I recommend picking up this book.
May 19, 2012
The tone of the author is overly negative, to the point of discouraging the reader. I understand that obviously there are a lot of issues in adoption today, but I did not find constantly reading and re-reading the same old depressing facts to be helpful (seriously, talking about repetitiveness! I get it, open adoption is great, and closed one hurts everyone - whyyyy are you making the same point on every single page?! 1-2 chapters on the topic would have been more than enough for us to get it). Plus, very little cultural competence in this book - at some point the author is talking about being color-blind in adoption as if this is a good thing...sigh I guess there's a lot we all have to evolve about.
April 4, 2011
I loved the chance to read more here on how adoption is transforming our families as well as the face of the nation. I am lucky enough to have a friend who has a beautiful adopted daughter. And a friend who was adopted by her family. Thus, I am able to see this from both angles of child or parent. This is the latest revised edition by Adam Pertman. It is amazing to think that you can find your son or daughter on the other side of the world. Bring them to your home and know in your heart this was what was meant to happen all along. Thank goodness for those that both adopt and those who help this function along.
February 22, 2010
Meh. I wanted to like this book--it had a fascinating topic and a wide-reaching mandate, and I did learn quite a bit about the history and practice of open adoption--but like many newspaper reporters, Pertman seemed to have trouble switching to full-length format. For example, he'll bring up one family's story in Chapter 4, leave you hanging, and come back to it in Chapter 8 when you've totally forgotten all the players and have to flip back and re-read the earlier description. That might work when it's a 4-page Sunday magazine piece, but is just disjointed and irritating in book form.
April 5, 2011
This book was fantastic. It gave a lot of interesting history of the world of adoption. It was pretty clear that this book was written by someone with a journalism background, and I really liked Mr. Pertman's style.
He does a great job of addressing truths and misconceptions. He acknowledges both sides of the debates in the adoption world, such as the debate over the right of adoptees to see their original birth certificates.
I was fortunate enough to see Mr. Pertman speak in person. I am glad to be part of the adoption revolution.
He does a great job of addressing truths and misconceptions. He acknowledges both sides of the debates in the adoption world, such as the debate over the right of adoptees to see their original birth certificates.
I was fortunate enough to see Mr. Pertman speak in person. I am glad to be part of the adoption revolution.
July 31, 2011
As a call for reform of the corrupt practices involved in domestic and international adoption today, Pertman's book is gentle and persuasive. Adoption Nation provides a good introduction to issues involved in adoption for adoptive parents, adopted persons, and birth parents. Shying away from much of the rainbows-and-unicorns tone of so many books aimed at potential adopters, he nevertheless stops short of the muckraking that today's baby market really deserves.
February 18, 2013
A good overview of the dramatic developments that are happening with American adoption...without any shying away from the tough stuff (fraud, profiteers, etc). Pertman's calls for more openness (as possible) in adoptions makes sense, but it's repeated and repeated and repeated within the book. And some of his arguments / suggestions on major developments (like openness in adoptions) come pretty close to "this is what is happening; deal with it."
August 29, 2016
The content is good but the writing is clunky. I frequently had to go back and reread things because the sentence structure was confusing and unclear. It's also quite outdated, especially in its portrayal of the Internet as a new thing. I didn't realize there was a second edition until I was most of the way through this one. Hopefully the newer edition is better since I'm not aware of any other book that covers adoption in such a high-level way.
May 17, 2013
Adam Pertman, head of the Evan B Donaldson Adoption Institute writes a comprehensive overview on adoption in the United States. Updated recently, the book documents the history of adoption over the last 50 or so years and how it has changed to reflect technology among other changes in our society. Excellent read whether you are considering adoption or just interested in social behavior.
February 20, 2008
A fatuous, self-important and self-righteous book. Mostly it served to convince me to be suspicious of the agency behind its publication. This collection of anecdotes is barely above the level of a high-school newspaper.
September 26, 2012
Pertman really burst my bubble in terms of the romanticized, idealistic view of adoption I’ve had. He challenged my thinking on open adoption and left me, sadly, feeling less eager to adopt. I’d really like to spend some time processing this with adoptive parents for a balanced perspective.
June 21, 2016
This book had a lot of good information about adoption, and wasn't afraid to shy away from some contentious issues. However, I did feel like it was a bit dated since it was published 15 years ago, and some of the things talked about are now much more accepted, like having an open adoption.
June 18, 2011
Great. Clear and thorough- unbiased.
July 27, 2012
It was really interesting and had a lot of great stories and facts but it went on a little too long.
November 30, 2014
[signed by author]
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2018
I had seen this book recommended a LOT and yet...I really didn't like it. It's got a lot of stats, but seems to just circle around the same stuff over and over (open adoptions! Have a relationship with birth parents! adoption is expensive! People have negative views of adoption!), with the same stories referenced in multiple places.
Frankly, it just bummed me out. I skimmed the chapters on international adoption and domestic infant adoption (since that's not a path I'm looking at), but really all the chapters focus on domestic infant adoption.
Frankly, it just bummed me out. I skimmed the chapters on international adoption and domestic infant adoption (since that's not a path I'm looking at), but really all the chapters focus on domestic infant adoption.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews