Being Adopted : The Lifelong Search for Self

Rating:
Summary: Good Reference
Review: As the family who has adopted a child we have found this book to be helpful in understanding her position. We are very interested in helping other people deal with similar situations and wonder if the book has been translated to Spanish.

Rating:
Summary: Okay, but repeat of many other better books
Review: I am not an adoptee but I can imagine that I would have experienced the unique stages the authors describe of adoptees as they grow up and try to cope with their past. I like the compassionate but also dispassionate tone of the authors as they lay out their balanced view of adoption, enlightening not only adoptees but also the general public. It is good, too, that the authors point out not all adoptees feel the same way, that some are greatly troubled by their adoption while others are less concerned about their past. A good book for everyone to learn from.
Gisela Gasper Fitzgerald, author of ADOPTION: An Open, Semi-Open or Closed Practice?

Rating:
Summary: A compassionate book for adoptees, birth and adoptive parent
Review: I am not an adoptee but I can imagine that I would have experienced the unique stages the authors describe of adoptees as they grow up and try to cope with their past. I like the compassionate but also dispassionate tone of the authors as they lay out their balanced view of adoption, enlightening not only adoptees but also the general public. It is good, too, that the authors point out not all adoptees feel the same way, that some are greatly troubled by their adoption while others are less concerned about their past. A good book for everyone to learn from.
Gisela Gasper Fitzgerald, author of ADOPTION: An Open, Semi-Open or Closed Practice?

Rating:
Summary: Very Balanced
Review: I liked this book because it was a balanced view of adoption. I found it validating. It showed that within my peer group - adoptees - I was very normal. This helped. It also showed that although some people react with great desperation to adoption others seem to take it more in stride and that is normal too. Regardless of how you feel, this book is a must read. Enlightening, validating and no whining. Thank you to the authors.

Rating:
Summary: Good Reference
Review: I'll admit that this is the first book of its kind that I have read. However, as a soon-to-be adopting father, I am grateful for this simple to read introduction to some of the psychological issues that my child will go through. What I found most interesting, is the fact that adoptees may wrestle with "their search" for an entire life. They will actually "mourn" for their lost birth mother. (Why don't they ever seem to seek out the birth-father?) Although this book was about adoptee's search for self, it also helped me realize that I am also searching for myself. In fact, everyone spends a lifetime searching for themselves and redefining themselves. Adoptees, however, have a unique set of issues to work out. This was a great introduction to the psychology of adoption. I would recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Great Intro?
Review: I'll admit that this is the first book of its kind that I have read. However, as a soon-to-be adopting father, I am grateful for this simple to read introduction to some of the psychological issues that my child will go through. What I found most interesting, is the fact that adoptees may wrestle with "their search" for an entire life. They will actually "mourn" for their lost birth mother. (Why don't they ever seem to seek out the birth-father?) Although this book was about adoptee's search for self, it also helped me realize that I am also searching for myself. In fact, everyone spends a lifetime searching for themselves and redefining themselves. Adoptees, however, have a unique set of issues to work out. This was a great introduction to the psychology of adoption. I would recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent resource for all members of the adoption triad
Review: Thank goodness people are finally admitting that adoption, even if you had a great experience, still brings with it certain issues. Adoptive parents should read books like this to understand that their adopted child has special needs - so many adoptives take it as a personal affront if their child decides to search for birthparents, or even asks about them. For birthparents, it's affirmation of their loss (even if it was the best decision they felt they could make) and understanding of their surrendered child's feelings. Should be required reading for prospective adoptive parents

Rating:
Summary: A most balanced view of the effects of adoption on the child
Review: This book gives a most balanced view of the gains and losses for the child and adult of being adopted rather than being raised by the parents who gave birth to the child. As such, it is an excellent book for prospective adoptive parents, who may be thinking that by simply not knowing the birthparents, their acquired child will not need to know his or her birth heritage. For the birthparents, the book will underline what the child can gain from being adopted, and why the child's genetic heritage will still be a part of them. For adoptees this book is the most valuable, because it will help them to realize that their feelings are shared in many ways by those people who, like them, were raised by parents who did not give them birth.

Rating:
Summary: A most balanced view of the effects of adoption on the child
Review: This book gives a most balanced view of the gains and losses for the child and adult of being adopted rather than being raised by the parents who gave birth to the child. As such, it is an excellent book for prospective adoptive parents, who may be thinking that by simply not knowing the birthparents, their acquired child will not need to know his or her birth heritage. For the birthparents, the book will underline what the child can gain from being adopted, and why the child's genetic heritage will still be a part of them. For adoptees this book is the most valuable, because it will help them to realize that their feelings are shared in many ways by those people who, like them, were raised by parents who did not give them birth.

Rating:
Summary: Very Balanced
Review: This book is right on target. It showed me the reasons for why I've felt the way I have for so many years. I'm 55 and was adopted in infancy. My adopted Mother never told me anything and I always felt left out and some how all alone in this world. Now I understand why I feel the way I have all these years. It's natural and normal. This is an excellent book for adoptees to understand why their feelings are mixed, confused, and not totally feeling a part of this world. I'd recommend this book to all adoptees.