Growing In The Dark: Adoption Secrecy And Its Consequences
Editorial Reviews
Book Description
Generations of adults who were adopted as children have been kept in the dark about their original identities by an archaic law. Passed in 1935 in California and subsequently in most other states, the law that seals birth records sweeps adoption's emotional complexities under the rug, making it possible for parents to keep adoption a secret from their children. In this atmosphere of secrecy, myths about adoption and fears about birth parents have become part of our collective view of adoption. In addition, the crimes of baby traffickers are not easily traced as a result of sealed records. In the last few years there is a new if still cautious trend toward openness as the number of states that allow adopted adults the unconditional right to see their original birth certificates has increased from two to five: Alaska, Oregon, Kansas, Alabama and, starting in January 2005, New Hampshire.
For adopted people, it is not a matter of nature VERSUS nurture, but of nature VIA nurture, the two inextricably working together as they do for all people. This book calls for an end to denying or maligning "nature" in adopted people by maintaining secrecy.
Growing in the Dark takes readers back to the beginning -- before there were birth certificates to seal. It follows the evolution of adoption law in California, through the mandating of birth certificates and later the sealing of birth certificates to all sides involved in an adoption. Anyone interested in the evolution of adoption policy will learn something valuable from this book Ñ adopted adults, historians, social workers, lawyers, psychotherapists, reproductive rights advocates, birth parents, and people who have adopted children.
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
About the Author
Janine Baer is an adoptee who published the progressive Chain of Life newsletter from 1989 to 1997 to articulate a vision of adoption that minimizes exploitation of the economically or socially desperate and maximizes cooperation and understanding. Growing in the Dark is based in part on her master's thesis from San Francisco State University, "The History and Consequences of Sealing Adoption Records."
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
Growing In The Dark: Adoption Secrecy And Its Consequences,Janine M. Baer,Xlibris Corporation,1413444997,Adoptees,Adoption,Family / Parenting / Childbirth,History,Identification,Law and legislation,United States,Marriage, family & other relationships
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