Product Description

"Sensitively tracks the aftermath of adoption."--The New York Times

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #661201 in Books
• Published on: 1991-10-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 318 pages

From Publishers Weekly
In 36 interviews with women who relinquished their children to adoption, the authors present anecdotal documentation of what happens when birth mothers and their children meet. The case histories are bittersweet. For some, reunion provides enrichment and release from guilt; for others the event is wrenching, especially when it occurs in the adoptee's adult life. In considering the many facets of adoption--including the views of birth fathers, adoptive parents, grandparents--the authors of this helpful study allow us to hear voices and attitudes that could change future adoption practices in this country. Gediman is a Connecticut-based marketing consultant; Brown is legislative director of American Adoption Congress.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Pioneering Work Exceeds Expectations
I found this book to be thought provoking and a great help in understanding the plight of SOME birth mothers. All adoptions are not the same and whether or not you find your birth mother/father, this book is a very good resource to start thinking outside the box. It gives a viewpoint outside of 'us'. In reality, as adoptees, it really is usually all about 'me'. As an adult, 40+, reunited with my birthmother for the past 2.5 years, this book gave me a clearer understanding of the difficulties that she may be going through in this process as well as opening my mind to view the experience in a different perhaps more profound way. My only advice to younger readers is read EVERY book you can. There are NO clear cut answers. There is no magical answer. BUT every book will give you some insight. You may or may not agree with everything the author says, however, if you can take one thing and learn about the process, or yourself or even your birthmother's experience, then it will be worth the price.

Thoughts from one blessed w/two through adoption
I purchased this book as a reunion with the birthmom's of my two is inevitable and welcome. We have a semi-open adoption with both birthmoms as they are welcome to write any time and we write them a couple of times a year.

This book will have me better prepared to help my kids through their reunions and after. I bought the book to educate myself as to what we may or may not encounter during and after the reunion.

The book is mildy dry in some parts but definitely a worthy read.

Birthbond: Reunions Between Birthparents and Adoptees
In the late 1980s, there were few books for birthmothers. This book validated the emotional pain I had carried (silently) during the decades after surrendering my child to a system of closed adoption. One of the authors is a birthmother. Thank you, Judith and Linda, for a pioneering work which, I'm sure, helped many people!