Adoption Nation: How the Adoption Revolution Is Transforming America by Adam Pertman

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Adoption was once spoken of in whispers, viewed as a secret process to hide from society at large. But attitudes are changing, and in Adoption Nation, Adam Pertman, himself an adoptive father, explores the evolving culture of adoption and the ways it has been affected by factors such as the Internet and the increasing numbers of people opting for alternative lifestyles. Jane Nast, president of the American Adoption Congress, dubbed Adoption Nation "a remarkable book that I would like to put in the hands of everyone in the nation."

From the Publisher

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.

Ellen Goodman

A comprehensive and humane book about how adoption is changing families-indeed the very idea of family.

Chicago Tribune

A wide-ranging look at open, international, and multiracial adoption.... Essential reading for those in the adoption triad concerned about their rights and about knowing which special interest groups mean to deny them.

Boston Globe

. . .valuable reading for policy makers, social service providers, all members of the adoption triad and their extended families.

Chicago Tribune

. . . essential reading for those in the adoption triad. . .

Publishers Weekly

Based on a series of articles that he wrote for the Boston Globe, Pertman combines journalistic research and personal anecdotes in this stimulating overview of the trends and cultural ramifications of adoption. His views come through loud and clear: families should be "out" about their adoptive status, children should be told that they were adopted as early as possible and all members of the adoption "triad" (birth mother, child and parents) should try to stay in close communication. Suggesting that adoptive families have benefited enormously from the country's increasing acceptance of racial diversity, Pertman argues that the controversial 1994 Multiethnic Placement Act (which stipulates that transracial adoptions can not be legally prohibited) is a strong step forward in placing the interests of the individual child over those of an abstract, race-based notion of family. He also suggests that adoption itself has helped to instigate social change: in its role as an "institutionalized means of forming non-traditional families," adoption may help gay, multiracial and single-parent families gain greater social acceptance. Even so, Pertman contends, adoptive families are still subject to many hurtful stereotypes (e.g., the irresponsible birth mother; the selfish adoptive parents). Perhaps most harrowing is his discussion of the effect of "laissez faire" capitalist thinking on adoption policy and the largely unregulated nature of the "industry" that has sprung up around it (e.g., one woman tried to sell her baby on eBay; the highest bid was $109,100). This disturbing and hopeful book will primarily attract adoptive families and policy makers, who will find that it has much to say about our changing definitions of family, race and community. (Nov.) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

Booknews

Pertman, a family and children's issues reporter for the (and adoptive parent), discusses the myriad issues involved in adoption, arguing for improvements to the process of adoption that would make it easier and less stigmatized. He presents numerous real- life stories by would-be and successful adoptive parents, and discusses the changes that have taken place in adoption legislation and policy in recent years. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Product Details

• Table of Contents

Table of Contents