Adoption (Contemporary World Issues) [Hardcover]

Barbara A. Moe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 29, 2007 | ISBN-10: 1598840290 | ISBN-13: 978-1598840292 | Edition: 2

The ancient practice of adoption has changed significantly through history. In colonial America, parents adopted out their unwanted children—those who were "rude, stubborn, and unruly"—to other families. Today, Americans go abroad looking for children to adopt, and have adopted more than a quarter million internationally.

Adoption: A Reference Handbook, Second Edition not only traces the development of expert thinking about adoption, it also looks at both sides of the latest controversial issues. Should adoptions be open or closed? Should the government regulate adoptions more closely—or less? This updated second edition offers an international perspective with a new chapter on how countries outside the United States provide adoption services. This work is an indispensable resource for those thinking about adoption or researching its history.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

Adoption is one of humanity's oldest and most widespread customs—it has been practiced by every culture in the world throughout history. Yet our ideas about adoption remain in constant flux. Should we allow single parents to adopt? What about same-sex couples? Are transracial adoptions successful? Should we seal adoption records? This volume provides the latest answers and the best thinking on these controversies.

From the Publisher

This volume explores the current issues surrounding adoption in the United States. Following a thoughtful overview of the topic, it presents a chronology that documents the milestones in adoption history and a collection of biographical sketches of individuals who have profoundly affected child welfare and adoption philosophies and practices. Readers will also find a selection of facts and figures as well as a discussion of important federal legislation and policies, a summary of significant litigation, and a directory of organizations, associations, and government agencies. A detailed listing of print and electronic resources rounds out a volume that students, parents, adoption agencies, social workers, and policymakers will welcome. --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 342 pages
• Publisher: ABC-CLIO; 2 edition (March 29, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1598840290
• ISBN-13: 978-1598840292
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,439,277 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Unauthorized Mention in This Book Angers Adoptive Mom, March 19, 2009

By 

garrie keyman "Embrace the Power at www.garri... (Tuscacheague) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Adoption (Contemporary World Issues) (Hardcover)

An adoptive mother I know rather well (PJ Whiskeyman) was stunned to stumble across this book on the Internet recently and discover herself referenced by name (albeit, with wrongly added punctuation in her first name).

She was stunned -- and infuriated -- because the author never asked permission to mentioned her by name in the work. This flagrant lack of literary ethics shames the author.

While any victimized mother -- adoptive or otherwise -- surely has the right to convey her own story in her own words (as Whiskeyman has), that same right is not automatically extended to a third party, especially not to one who could not be troubled to obtain verification of the facts by contacting said mother.

In failing to do so, Moe further victimizes the victim, and like the scam adoption agency Yunona did, ends up making money (via sales of this volume) by wronging others.

I do not know Barbara Moe. Neither does PJ. We both agree, however, that Moe should apologize to PJ and her husband for mentioning them by name without having obtained the requisite permissions and/or waivers.

Shame on the editor and publisher of this volume, as well, for not seeing to proper pre-authorizations prior to publication.

Furthermore, any reference made without authorization should be removed from any future editions of this book.