Cross Cultural Adoption: How To Answer Questions from Family, Friends & Community [Hardcover]

Amy Coughlin (Author), Caryn Abramowitz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2004

Written as a guidebook for adult relatives and friends of adoptive families, this book puts the power of information where kids seek it most--in the mouths of their parents and caregivers.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"Where Is She From?" International adoption by American families has skyrocketed in the last decade, increasing by more than 300 percent since 1992. In the past three years alone, American families adopted nearly 60,000 children from other countries, and the rate of cross-border adoptions continues to grow. Domestic transracial adoptions also are on the rise. The family unit is becoming the new, scaled-down model for the "great American melting pot." All of these cross-cultural families engender questions, particularly from small children: "Who are her real parents? Where is she from?" If adults aren't careful, the answers can have devastating effects; if they are careful, the answers can lay a solid foundation for a developing wisdom about love, families, and relationships.

From the Inside Flap

Where is she from?
How much did it cost?
Who are her real parents?

Families who adopt children from other countries are faced with myriad questions—from friends, coworkers, family members, classmates, and caretakers alike. If left unanswered, these questions can spawn misunderstanding and hurtful remarks capable of shattering a vulnerable child’s sense of belonging: "She’s not my real cousin! She’s Chinese!"

Drawing from their experiences as adoptive parents of foreign-born children, authors Caryn Abramowitz and Amy Coughlin give us Cross-Cultural Adoption, a unique guidebook to help relatives and friends of adoptive families address important questions before everyone gathers around the dinner table.

Inside, you’ll find:
· The Questions Kids Ask—Simple, age-specific answers to eighteen critical questions
· Do’s and Don’ts for Adults—Ten eye-opening rules that adoptive families want you to know
· Want to Learn About Her Birth Country?—Brief but informative introductions to the top ten countries from which adoption takes place
· Resources for Learning More About Adoption—Websites, publications, and organizations providing information about cross-cultural adoption

International adoption rates have increased by more than 300 percent in the last decade alone. Cross-Cultural Adoption responds to this changing face of the American family by providing you accessible answers and information on this often sensitive subject.

· Learn to talk to your kids about adoption without doing more harm than good
· Find out how her adoptive parents really feel when you say how "lucky" she is
· Explore the culture, history, and traditions of her birth country
· Learn to foster respect and compassion in your community and family with positive adoption language
· Discover the secrets to making her feel like a regular, happy kid

Cross-Cultural Adoption is an invaluable learning tool for anyone whose life is touched by international adoption. Whether you’re a parent or grandparent, a teacher or bus driver, a Little-League coach or Girl Scout Troop leader, you can make a difference. With support and understanding, you can let her know that no matter where she came from, she belongs.

"Where Is She From?"

International adoption by American families has skyrocketed in the last decade, increasing by more than 300 percent since 1992. In the past three years alone, American families adopted nearly 60,000 children from other countries, and the rate of cross-border adoptions continues to grow. Domestic transracial adoptions also are on the rise. The family unit is becoming the new, scaled-down model for the "great American melting pot."

All of these cross-cultural families engender questions, particularly from small children: "Who are her real parents? Where is she from?" If adults aren’t careful, the answers can have devastating effects; if they are careful, the answers can lay a solid foundation for a developing wisdom about love, families, and relationships.

Written by two adoptive mothers,Cross-Cultural Adoption responds to the changing face of American families by providing accessible and extremely useful information in response to some of the most common—and toughest—questions asked about cross-cultural adoption.

AMY COUGHLIN is an adoptive mom, a lawyer, teacher, and writer. She lives in Center City, Philadelphia with her husband, Rich, and their two daughters, Audrey and Natalie.

CARYN ABRAMOWITZ is a freelance writer and editor. She is a lawyer by trade and the author of many legal and other types of articles in a variety of publications. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband, Andy, and their daughter Chloe Skye.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Lifeline Press (July 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0895260921
• ISBN-13: 978-0895260925
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #469,330 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for entire family, September 26, 2005

By 

T.Newhouse (Memphis, TN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cross Cultural Adoption: How To Answer Questions from Family, Friends & Community (Hardcover)

As a future adoptive parent, I've read a number of books on the subject. It was my goal to find one that would help explain the upcoming transracial adoption to my family and friends. I bought this book, read it cover to cover and bought 3 more copies to give away. I think that the book provides a forum to easily communicate the aspects of transracial and cross-cultural adoption to a family. I especially like the specific area designated to addressing questions from children. There is also a very comprehensive section on the various countries that has been useful for my mother to understand where her grandchild was born. This is an excellent resource!!!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource..., March 24, 2006

By 

Maisey-Daisy (Chicago Suburbs, IL) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cross Cultural Adoption: How To Answer Questions from Family, Friends & Community (Hardcover)

This book has three distinct sections.

First it answers common questions kids (and adults) ask about international/transracial adoption ("Why did you go al the way there to adopt?"). Each question offers several age appropriate responses.

Second it offers a "do's and don'ts" section for adults about adoption (do treat adoptive parents as expective parents, don't jump to conclusions about the birth mother.)

Third, it gives a brief overview of countries that allow international adoption. It addresses why children are available, country history, goverment, economy, culture, interesting facts, and recommended reading lists. It may answer many issues adoptive parents may have...but don't know what questions to ask. Countries highlighted include China, Russia, Guatemala, South Korea, Kazakhsan, Ukraine, India, Vietnam, Columbia, Haiti. With the frequent changes in international adoption (countries available, other countries closed), my advice would be to check the facts in the book against current information.

This is an excellent resource to anyone investigating international adoption or wanting share information about adopting international with family members. I highly recommend it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful book for teaching kids about adoption, September 14, 2004

By 

Dave Farris (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cross Cultural Adoption: How To Answer Questions from Family, Friends & Community (Hardcover)

My sister has a daughter born in Korea. She gave this book to me and our brother so that we could answer our own children's questions about their cousin's origins. This is an excellent book and very easy to read -- only a few hour time commitment. We adore our niece and would never want her to feel any less special than her American-born cousins.