Adoption Crisis: The Truth Behind Adoption and Foster Care [Hardcover]

Carole McKelvey (Author), Joellen Stevens (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 3, 1994

Based on clinical studies and case histories, this startling account of the failure of our modern social institutions to provide for the real needs of today's children uncovers the many myths and desperate problems of America's foster care and adoption systems and issues an urgent call for action. Illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The "truth" in the subtitle is not only that the adoption/foster care system is a disaster but that love and a good environment do not solve all adoption problems, especially for abused and special-needs children. Arguing persuasively that every child has the right to have a family, McKelvey (High Risk: Children Without a Conscience, Bantam, 1988) and psychologist Stevens bluntly address this crisis, which may leave about a million children in foster care, detention centers, or homeless by 1995. Up to 75 percent of all special-needs adoptions fail, according to the authors, and interracial adoption is a viable alternative. Included are lists of resources, domestic and international agency names and addresses, a glossary, and an extensive bibliography. Recommended for public libraries.
Linda Beck, Indian Valley P.L., Telford, Pa.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

The crisis concerns special-needs children, who are defined as those from minority or cross-cultural backgrounds, physically or mentally challenged, drug-exposed, or HIV-positive. "There are 500,000 such children waiting for homes," according to the authors, who point out that the Federal Adoption Assistance Act (1980) impelled Social Services to find homes for them. Although foster care had been provided for such children, previous to the act they had been regarded as unadoptable. The Social Services agency was not adequately educated with regard to their needs, however, and, in turn, adoptive parents were often ill informed about the challenges awaiting them. McKelvey and Stevens look at many troubled situations and profile the lessons that caring foster and adoptive parents have learned. They make suggestions for revamping the system so that it works, and they provide contact information on relevant national, state, and international agencies. Denise Perry Donavin

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 248 pages
• Publisher: Fulcrum Publishing (May 3, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555911722
• ISBN-13: 978-1555911720
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,838,883 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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5.0 out of 5 stars Adoption Crisis: The Truth Behind Adoption and Foster Care, June 12, 2011

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Caryn Landy - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Adoption Crisis: The Truth Behind Adoption and Foster Care (Hardcover)

Although the stats in this book are not current (copyright 1994), sadly much of what it says about the situation with regard to adoption in general and the foster care system is not much altered in a positive manner since the mid-90s. On the other hand, the approach to dealing with attachment issues and matching potential adoptees with potential parents based on tempramental similarities/differences is of inestimable value and bears serious consideration.
Those who are working with these populations or who are considering adoption would be well advised to read this gem of a book. Those whose experience of adoption has been seamless and flawless (congratulations!) will likely be distressed by such a book.
For those, however, whose adoptions have failed and those who have struggled with many or all of the issues herein described, this book will reassure you that the failure is not yours and that most certainly you are not alone.
BTW, this is not a book about hopelessness or helplessness. Quite the opposite. But neither does it shrink from looking at the real problems of adoption under the bright light of day. And it offers real considerations before as well as real solutions after adoption.