Adoption Nation by Adam Pertman is a study on how adoption has changed in America over the last century. It explores the way that adoption is becoming more widespread and more accepted and also discusses the ways that adoption still needs to change.
This is a great book to catch up on the issues involved in adoption, the social policy involved and also the ways in which the culture of adoption is changing.
First of all, the book discusses how adoption has come “out of the shadows”. For past generations, adoption was something that was never talked about. It was a big family secret – often adoptees would not find out that they were adopted until late in life. Birth parents were ostracized and so often an unwed mother would hide her pregnancy and then relinquish her child in secret. Now, adoption is much more celebrated and accepted than it ever was in the past. Another great development that has come from these changes is the birth of open adoption. This is a huge benefit to those who are adopted and can also be an amazing gift for the birth parents and adoptive parents.
Adoption Nation also discusses the adoption triad and how each part of that triad is changing and growing. It explores adoptees’ quest to discover their background, birth parent’s search for closure and adoptive parents’ thoughts as they make the journey to adoption.
Lastly, the book explores the future of adoption – where it is going, the challenges that the members of the triad faces and lessons that still need to be learned.
This is a great book to familiarize yourself with the social issues related to adoption, as well as what adoption was in the past and what adoption strives to be in the future. I highly recommend it.