5 Responses to “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Adoption, Second Edition”

1. Gisela Gasper Fitzgerald on May 4th, 2010 8:52 am
   

   I admire any author who compiles as overwhelming an amount of information as this book and also makes the book fun to read with its various insets and short, punchy chapters. But let’s not be idiots. We’re told that `Sometimes you may be paying for the birthmother’s living expenses or her medical expenses, too. But you are not paying for your child.’ Adoption is now the largest unregulated industry in the U.S. An industry analysis of Fertility Clinics and Adoption Services by Marketdata Enterprises of Tampa, Florida, has placed a $1.4 billion value on adoption services in the U.S., with a projected annual growth rate of 11.5% to 2004. Religious agencies charge from a few hundred dollars to $10,000 or more; non-denominational private agencies charge $10,000 to $20,000; independent (private) adoption costs a few thousand dollars to $50,000, public agencies charge nothing, except attorney fees to finalize adoption. Color plays a major role in adoption. White infants cost as much as $50,000 in prominent and elite agencies. A child from China costs $18,000, from Vietnam $22,000, from Russia $14,000 and an African-American costs $8,000. While the baby-sales flourish in cyberspace, there are plenty of places on terra firma where they flourish, too. Marketdata’s analysis describes adoptions as “complex, and stories of unscrupulous operators abound in this loosely regulated field.”
   The author paints a rosy picture of adoption. `Most adopted children grow up healthy and well-adjusted. . . most real-life adoptions are positive.’ Yet, there exist data showing consistent negative trends in adoption mental health and well-being. The 1996 Search Institute review of the Growing Up Adopted study is devastating news for all members in the adoption triad and cause for serious reflection. This study was the largest research ever conducted of adoptive families in the U.S., involving 715 families. If you are interested look up Sheridan, Tim (Foreword). “Relatedness Deprivation: A Review of The Search Institute Study of Adopted Adolescents and Non Adopted Siblings.” August 1996. Last edited 11/2001. On-line: http://www.netaxs.com/~sparky/adoption/sir.htm.
   But prospective adoptive parents should not be discouraged by alarming data. Proceed carefully and with as much knowledge as possible. Our own adoption continues to be a very positive experience (including with our birthmother), and I know several adoptive families who too are happy and have well-adjusted children.
   Gisela Gasper Fitzgerald, author of ADOPTION: An Open, Semi-Open or Closed Practice?
   Rating: 4 / 5
2. dr. mama on May 4th, 2010 11:02 am
   

   open adoption has been shown, again and again, to be the healthiest choice for all members of the adoption triad (adoptive parents, birthparents, and children). To advocate closed adoption is not simply archaic but, frankly, irresponsible.

   A woman who chooses to place her child for adoption should never be treated as a human incubator, but an important part of your child’s past, present, and future. Much of the information regarding birthmoms is way off- for instance, birthmoms considering open adoption will interfere with childrearing or even view the adoption as an incomplete surrender of the child. This is shocking that someone would even print this! A more complete adoption book would contain interviews and quotes from real birthparents.

   i urge you to be sensitive and respectful of the great pain experienced by the woman who brought you such joy.
   Rating: 1 / 5
3. RM on May 4th, 2010 12:06 pm
   

   Although this book contains most of the information that prospective parents need, the writing style was too simplistic for my taste. The author went so far as to define adoption, warning the reader that adoption is not temporary. My husband and I much preferred the Adoptoin Resource Book by Gilman.
   Rating: 3 / 5
4. Brandon Fought on May 4th, 2010 1:25 pm
   

   This book has great information if you are thinking about adoption. It has easy to find chapters on all differents aspects of the adoption journey. Would recommend!!!
   Rating: 5 / 5
5. Stacie on May 4th, 2010 1:59 pm
   

   This is the first adoption book I have read and it is covering all the questions I have had so far. A good book to start with.
   Rating: 4 / 5

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