Product Description
Insight and understanding of adoptees, birth parents and adoptive parents.A book for anyone who wants to know more about the realities of adoption. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Very helpful.Highly recommend.
Very helpful.First book I read on adoption.First time I saw adoption from all perspectives, which I think is essential.

Eye opening.I am grateful that it was a gentle introduction because it was very new, new concepts.As it was it blew me away.

I am a birth mother and my child had recently contacted me and I wanted to be able to see adoption through his eyes and his parents' eyes.I believe this book would help him and his family.I sent him a copy too.

I've since gone on to read other books and I'm grateful that I started out with this book, it was a solid intro preparing me for the more intense work that was ahead of us.

Disappointing
There is nothing new in this book. Its like a collection of bits from all the other books I've read. It seems to tread carefully around the important issues in adoption.I am very disappointed with it.

General Guide for Adoptive Parents
This book would be useful to adoptive parents who are beginning to learn about the life-long impact adoption has on adopted persons and birthparents.The book has clearly-presented practical advice.

Instructive, and soothing
Although an adoptive parent for 10 years, I found many new bits of information and sensible comments in this book, compiled by an author and PhD. in family issues who is herself an adoptee.

"When I was growing up in the 1950s," she said at a recent adoption conference, "families did not discuss adoption." Children made fun of adoptees, and the notion of looking for birth parents was completely foreign, and taboo.

Now, of course, the entire adoption scene has changed radically. Families routinely adopt children and stay in touch with the birth families, allowing their children to communicate and visit with birth families as they grow.

For children adopted internationally, of course, the situation is much like it was in the 1950s for Marlou Russell. Particularly for girls from China, the likelihood of ever finding their birth parents is practically nil. So the children grow up with a hole in their hearts, forever wondering about the family they came from, and why they were abandoned.

The wonderful thing about this book is that it contains the perspectives, fears and emotions of all three members of the adoption triad-children who were themselves adopted, adoptive parents and birth parents (mostly mothers, but the occasional birth father as well).

It makes eminent sense, and it is important for all to know, that all three members of each triad have lost something and gained something.

The child has lost their birth family, and the comforts of belonging to a group with whom they share looks, likes and characteristics as well as culture, race and religion. But they have gained a family that can better care for them, ideally one far more stable than the one that was unable to do so. The birth parents have lost the joys of caring for and loving and raising their own, but gained the independence and lack of parental responsibility that their economic and marital circumstances may require. The adoptive parents have (usually, but not always) lost the ability to bear their own biological children, and gained the ability to love and raise another's child as their own.

Each one of these triad members carries lifelong wounds, which although they can heal, never disappear. For anyone in the triad who has never thought of adoption from the point of view of the others, this book is a must. For therapists and child-care workers, it is also essential reading.

For most participants in the adoption process, it is never possible to "close the door" completely to the pain they suffered. They can heal, certainly, but the loss they suffered that required adoption never goes away. It's like suffering a death in the family. The survivors live on, very often fruitfully, but they never forget.

It's my hope that this book will help my adopted child deal with his pain, just as it has helped me cope with mine.

--Alyssa A. Lappen

Very Good Book
This book offered more insight than anything else I have read concerning adoption.I am a birth mother and glad someone put everyone's thoughts into one book ... Read more

Product Description
Focusing on developmental and clinical issues in children's adjustment to adoption, the authors introduce this volume with an overview of historical and contemporary perspectives, then explore various theories that have addressed the issue of psychological risk associated with adoption.

Following a review of empirical research on factors that influence the adjustment process, the authors discuss different types of adoption, analyze methodological problems, and discuss clinical and assessment issues that commonly arise in work with adoptees and their families. ... Read more

Product Description
Experts representing practitioners, researchers, advocates, and triad members, explore the similarities and differences between adoptees placed as infants and as older children. The book promotes better integration of theory, practice, policy, and research in working with clients who are members of the adoption triad: adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive families. For the first time, the separate practice areas are bridged, pointing out the significant overlap between the two populations and the similar interventions that can be used when working with adoptees regardless of their age at placement. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Solid review of infants and of older children adoption.
As owner of the Adoptive Parents of Vietnam mailing list, I am always on the lookout for good information for families on adoption. This book is an excellent resource for those who want to dig into post adoption issues.Clinical and Practice Issues in Adoption, by Victor Groza and KarenRosenberg, presents seven professional papers on the theory and practice ofinfant-placed and older adoptions. Procedures and experiences of adoptionvary dramatically between children placed at infancy and older children --this book brings these similarities and differences to our attention, sothat we can begin to learn from each experience. The authors have succeededin providing an well-documented presentation for integration of theory,practice, policy, and research between adoptees, birth parents, andadoptive families. While this book is written for professionals andresearchers in the adoption; those with a deep interest in theunderpinnings of the adoption process from the professional point of viewwill find it rewarding. Important issues and concepts for all stages of theadoption are addressed, some of which adoptive parents may not yet beconsciously aware, although they very well may influence their family.Clinical and Practice Issues in Adoption provides a solid review of thehistorical and societal context, ethics, and practice of adoption ofinfants and older children. ... Read more

Product Description
Transracial Adoption and foster care has beena controversial topic throughout this decade-a topic that has led toarguments and divisions between families, neighborhoods,professionals, and policymakers on both local and national levels. Thepurpose of this book is to go beyond the arguments and ask thequestion: How do we as professionals help children and families maketransracial adoptions and foster placements work?

Joseph Crumbley, a well-respected authority on transracial adoptionand foster care, describes specific ways that practitioners can workwith transracial families to ensure that children develop positiveracial and cultural identities, as well as how professionals canbetter serve these families. Dr. Crumbley also addresses suchprofessional concerns as cultural competence and recruitment ofminority adoptive and foster parents. Case studies and "myths" oftransracial adoption provide valuable background information for childwelfare professionals. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A helpful book in overcoming racial discrimination
I welcome any book that is supportive of transracial adoptions and helps all members of the families involved to live in harmony. I agree with the author that love is not enough. Unlike in my family's same-race adoption, in a transracial adoption the parents need to acknowledge the existence of prejudice, explain to the child why his/her racial or cultural group is mistreated, provide the child with a repertoire of responses to racial discrimination and provide the child with role models and positive contact within the community. We have transracial adoptions in our neighborhood and I hope that the adoptive parents (all Caucasians) receive plenty of help from their agencies with those issues. They would be well advised to read this book.
Gisela Gasper Fitzgerald, author of ADOPTION: An Open, Semi-Open or Closed Practice?

Succinct and Empowering
This book goes beyond the discussion of "should we or shouldn't
we have transracial adoptions". Although it is directed toward
professionals it is also very useful for adoptive parents as
well. The book avoids the emotional turmoil and discussion of
"what's right or wrong about transracial adoptions". Nor does
the book attempt to make parents feel guilty or inadequate to
adopt transracially. The reader is given information that compels
them to:
1) appreciate the challenges of transracial adoptions,
2) appreciate the needs of children adopted transracially, and;
3) gives them the skills and resources an adoptive or foster
parent needs to acquire.

The book does an excellent job of assisting adoptive parents to
judge their own skills and ability to adopt a child of a diffe-
rent race, rather than being judged by a professional or someone
else. Self assessment guides are even provided to adoptive pa-
rents for this purpose.

The case studies in the book provide examples to professionals
and parents that are clear and practical in highlighting the
issues and skills in preparing for and parenting children in
transracial adoptions. It is a practical "how to" book, without
the emotional turmoil and rhetoric that surrounds the topic of
transracial adoptions. I would recommend it to both professionals
and adoptive parents, as well as parents considering transracial
adoption or foster care.

Transracial Adoption and Foster Care
This book is an interesting read but it should be retitled "Transracial Adoption and Foster Care: Don't Ever Do It.Practice Issues for Professionals "

It does not offer much support or guidance in placing children in homes of different races.It focuses on the statistics and the how-tos of getting children placed in same-race families, then begrudgingly offers some guidelines for the lowly professional who is forced into transracial placements.The stats were insightful and often surprising, which makes it a good reference for facts and resources.

Example of a disturbing scenario: -James, biracial, age 2. -With the "T" family since 2 months old, who want to adopt James. -Social worker doesn't think race issues are sufficiently addressed in home.

"James is able to...attach to significant others as demonstrated by his attachment to Mr. & Mrs. T.James would experience typical separation anxiety if removed from Mr. & Mrs. T's home.Since James' ability to attach is within normal ranges, he should be able to bond with different or adoptive parents, if properly prepared for adoption."

-Nine months later, Mr. and Mrs. T were re-evaluated for James' adoption.They were then able to answer the social worker's race questions sufficiently and were then allowed to adopt James.

Scenarios illustrating situations that come up in multi-race families weren't always given problem-solving solutions, sometimes leaving the reader with more questions. On an emotional level, the book often left this reader steamed and offended, but after a cool-down period, I would have to recommend it to those interested in this subject.Transracial placement is after all, not a subject without opposition.It is informative to know what the professionals are being told.Overall, the book exudes opposition to transracial adoption and foster care.It does, however, contain compelling, experience-based information from the author's career. ... Read more

Product Description
Discusses the legal and emotional aspects of the adoption process and examines the current movement for giving the adoptee free access to the records concerning his or her origin. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

It was Great
I thought this book was very informational.I used the information on interracial adoption from this book for a speech I had to do for school.I found so many useful facts in it.It wasn't just that I was using it for a speech, I learned alot from the book.I think my audience also learned alot from my speech.All in all, I think it was a great book. ... Read more

Product Description
What can we learn about the experience of adoption from those who have taken that journey? How can those touched by adoption navigate successfully through the issues of search, reunion, and aftermath? Will those answers have a positive impact on adoption today? Drawing upon the experiences of dozens of triad members--adopted persons, birth parents, and adoptive parents--the authors offer insight into the concerns, issues, joys, and pain experienced by those who lives are framed by adoption. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Invaluable
I was fortunate enough to hear Jayne Schooler speak this past spring. Before attending, I ordered a copy of this book, and several of her others, and I've found them all invaluable.

This one, though, is particularly helpful as it covers many of the issues not considered in books for new or prospective adoptive parents.

Central to this book is the theme of whether or not to search for one's birth parents,and the various emotional issues that arise before the search, during and after discovering the biological family. This has been particularly helpful for our family, during and after the search process. Many adoptees and birth parents were interviewed, and their perspectives on this unsettling and exciting time is extremely reassuring.

One young woman who located her step sister in Korea,and subsequently her birth mother, says "My search was connected to deep feelings that evoked a wide range of responses. Each new discovery was attached to an emotion, excitement, anticipation, fear,sadness, happiness and confusion. I think my most defining emotion was fear. I was going into the unknown. I had no control over the process or over how it would turn out."

This correctly describes the experience, from our perspective as adoptive parents, and that of our teenage child. Susan, the young Korean woman, discovered her birth mother had died 14 years earlier, but she had two half brothers who were happy to learn of her, and to welcome her into their family.

Our case is much happier.

But the process of meeting has just begun, and the emotional roller coaster ride continues. Fortunately, this book has helped us to expect and cope with the wide range of emotions we are all experiencing at this exciting time. And the healing for all parties will take a long long time.

The book deals with the wounds of all parties to the adoption, including the child, who had no say in the decision, the birth parents, and the adoptive parents. It's fantastic, and worth every cent. ... Read more

Product Description

In this book, leading researchers spotlight how dramatically the practice of adoption has changed both in North America and Europe in recent decades due to, among other factors, a falling rate of domestically born infants being placed for adoption. This has resulted in a rise in international adoption, children of color being placed with Caucasian parents, increased foster care and special needs adoptions including children exposed to prenatal alcohol and drug use as well as maltreatment by birth parents. Also examined is the far more diverse group of adults being granted adoption rights, including single and homosexual parents. Research findings demonstrate the trend across countries toward open adoption, wherein the birth parents and adoptive parents meet to share information. As the editors note, there is no longer a typical adopted child or a typical adoptive family.

Paralleling these changes has been a growing interest in the study of adopted children and adoptive parents. Although earlier research showed adoptees more likely to experience school problems and psychological disorders, recent studies show the differences in these areas between adoptees and non-adoptees to be relatively small. Models guiding adoption research are beginning to emphasize resilience and positive adaptation, rather than risk and psychopathology. This handbook will be of interest to all involved with adoption policy and practice.

Product Description
Adoption as practiced in the United States raises profound personal questions for those involved as well as broader social issues. The needs and wants of biological parents, adoptive parents, and children can often clash. This anthology features both the views of social policy experts and people intimately involved in adoption. (20040901) ... Read more

Product Description
Long veiled in secrecy and closed records, adoption affects the lives of scores of American families. Stories of celebrity adoptions, birthparents claiming they never agreed to adoption, gay adoption rights, adoptee searches for birthparents, and the question of open records access continues to make headlines. Infertility and later marriages have resulted in rising adoption rates and adoption also touches on matters of life and death, as it has added to the abortion debate.

A SEALED AND SECRET KINSHIP focuses on the increasing debate about adoption—not just as reported in the media—but also among parents, children, kin and non-kin to adoptive families. Case examples are cited throughout and the book covers such topics as adoption reform, adoptee experiences of searching, the new birthparent, independent adoption, and modern modes for placing children as well as changes in the political climate and in welfare policy. ... Read more

Product Description
When adoptions fail to happen, the effects can be devastating on children and the families who chose to adopt them

What if you were an adopted child and someone tried to remove you from the family you had grown to love? In the last twenty years, changes in laws, judicial decisions, social welfare practices, and the availability of American children for adoption have led to an increase in disrupted adoptions. When Adoptions Go Wrong: Psychological and Legal Issues of Adoption Disruption examines the psychological and forensic aspects of adoption with an emphasis on how negative events can affect children and the families that choose to adopt them—and how you can prevent those events from happening.

When Adoptions Go Wrong is a comprehensive resource on the causes of interrupted adoptions, including changing profiles of adoptive parents who have new reasons for wanting to adopt. With the help of detailed case examples, this powerful book explores the impact of disruptions on the children, the legal issues of determining in whose "best interests" decisions are made, and possible methods of reducing the negative affects of those decisions on the children. It also stresses how important it is, for the professionals involved, to be aware of child development in the adoption process.

Topics discussed in When Adoptions Go Wrong include:

children’s rights

legal rights of gays to adopt

tribal rights (Native Americans)

open adoption

individual state laws concerning adoption

the media’s coverage of child custody cases

types of adoption

the "Baby Jessica" case

the Evan Scott case

the "Internet Twins"

inadequate social services

family court

and much more When Adoptions Go Wrong also suggests legislative measures to create uniformity in the way states handle adoption issues to help natural and adoptive parents in making difficult decisions. The book is invaluable for psychologists, judges and lawyers, social workers, and prospective adoptive parents. ... Read more

Product Description
In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards increased communication among members of the adoption triad. Although many adoption agencies are moving towards increased information sharing, there is little research evidence available concerning the consequences of this practice. This unique study investigates the consequences of openness in adoption, as practiced by several adoption agencies. Seventeen adoptive families and their corresponding birth parents were interviewed. The effects of the open adoption procedures on family life and attitudes were assessed. Included are a review of the literature on openness in adoption; a review of relevant theoretical perspectives; a discussion of agency practices; and a description of strengths and weaknesses of current research methods. ... Read more

Product Description
Describes how these placement systems work and reveals the feelings of young people who find homes through adoption and foster care. ... Read more

Product Description
With the new federal mandate to double, by the year 2002, the number of children in foster care who are to be adopted or placed in permanent legal guardianships, it is essential for adoption agency staff and prospective families to learn which factors contribute to successful and unsuccessful placements.Dr. Ruth McRoy's informative guide, Special Needs Adoptions: Practice Issues outlines what formulates a successful match between adoptable children with special needs and their prospective parents, and how the current placements can be improved.
Dr. McRoy recognizes the challenges of building families through adoptions and offers specific training suggestions for special needs adoptive families and agency workers in order to improve adoption outcomes for children.The book is based on a research project designed to identify special needs adoptions practice issues that contributed to intact, disruptive and dissolved adoptions by collecting data from adoption supervisors, post-adoption service providers, and actual case records of adoption placements.Based on the findings, the characteristics of children needing adoptive placement are described, practice issues such as matching children and parents are addressed, and transition planning is discussed.Further, controversial placement issues including foster parent adoptions, single parent adoptions, sibling placement and transracial adoptions are dealt with.
Special Needs Adoptions is a rich, resourceful guide for all of the parties involved in a special need adoption: state and private adoption agency staff, post-adoption service providers, child welfare policy makers and researchers.Special Needs Adoptions is also a wonderful resource for adoptive parents or prospective parents considering special needs adoptions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent Resource for the Practitioner or Administrator
This title was purchased as a referece work for an MSW thesis.The text is well laid out, covers issues relevant to both policy and practice, and provides an excellent description of the study on which it is based.

Thisis one of only six solid texts identifiable that dealt with non-traditionalfamilies as a resource for special needs children awaiting adoption.

Anexcellent resource, and worth the money (even if you're living on studentloans). ... Read more

Product Description
Imagine telling your adopted son or daughter that his or her biological father never agreed to the adoption. Even if you didn't know this until after the adoption was finalized, this would still be a very troublesome issue for you and your child to deal with. Plenty of books guide prospective parents in how to adopt, but Odyssey of an Unknown Father will teach you how NOT to adopt. David Archuletta recounts his personal struggle to make contact with his biological son, who was adopted by another family without his knowledge or consent. He battles with unscrupulous adoption agencies and unconcerned state agencies in this telling volume.
No adoptive parent wants to be in the position of explaining to a child that she was taken from her father against his will. This book will teach you what to look for to spot fraud or unethical maneuvers in the adoption process, and to avoid this terrible scenario when you welcome a child into your home. [This manuscript is a Library of Congress Authorities Subject Heading Reference. It is also found in our national library's Thomas Jefferson and John Adams Main Reading Room.] ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

This was a Rosie O'Donnell Funded Adoption Agency
I was surprised to find out that Rosie O'Donnell had funded this Children of the World Adoption Agency. However, I was more surprised of means and the ways of the State of New Jersey when it comes to infant adoption. Now I know why they call this state "Jersey." This book tells all and proves all with documented facts. How can a State operate like this. This guy was robbed! . This book is a technical read if anything at all. That is how they steal these children. Through technicalities. It was well worth my time reading it that's for sure. P.S. If you are going to adopt, read this book. The LIBRARY OF CONGRESS has, and liked what they read. [...]

Not an Easy Read, but a Must Read
David's book is not an easy read. To quote one of the previous reviews, the book contains "Convoluted sentences, mis-matched syntax, and sarcastic comments that don't relate to the material..." At times I found myself wondering what exactly David was trying to say, YET this book is a must read. Why? Because maybe, just maybe, there is a chance that by someone reading this book another adoption tragedy will be prevented. Maybe that someone will be a prospective adopting parent, a pregnant woman considering adoption but not considering telling the birthfather, or a lawyer who should know better.

My personal suggestion to David is that he get help rewriting this book so that it will be written in a clearer and more succinct manner. I have no doubt that David has an important and tragic story to tell that should be heard.

What a scandal!
After reading this book and understanding its content, anyone that is planning to adopt a newborn child will have been made aware of all that is wrong in the world of legal adoption . Incredibly, these things can happen with or without your consent or knowledge. This journal will walk you through the seedy side of adoption as practiced by State agencies, attorneys and governing bodies alike. Increasingly, States are now leaning toward legislation that treats birthparents as "tools" of the trade, rather than having a face of humanity. As an example, New Jersey's State Statute N.J.S.A. 9:3-39 1 [b, c] for the last eleven years has enabled the access for a double-standard of birth father law should an attorney wish to employ. Therein enticed, a good attorney can "turn" bad.

Here is a book review:




P.U.L.P.

THE PUBLICATION WITH THE EVER-CHANGING ACRONYM


PUEBLO, COLORADO


A Book Review by Nicole Maio


"Odyssey of an Unknown Father"

The Complete Book on Wrongful Adoption


by David Archuletta


Just before her due date, the pregnant girlfriend of David Archuletta abruptly left town and when she returned, she delivered some bad news; while she was away, she had suffered a miscarriage; the couple's baby was gone. But more than a year later she came forward with a surprising confession; she had not miscarried at all, but instead had secretly given up the newborn up for adoption to Children of the World Adoption Agency located in New Jersey.

At this point, Archuletta began digging for answers. At the center of his questioning was the adoption attorney and agency involved in placing his son with an adoptive family. His main concern was why he, as the birthfather had not been notified or contact acted by those facilitating the adoption --- a requirement of New Jersey adoption law --- and given fair chance to exercise his parental rights.

In his self-published memoir, Odyssey of an Unknown Father, local author David Archuletta chronicles his long, multi-year battle against the New Jersey adoption system. That system, he argues, is responsible for the wrongful adoption of his son, having placed the newborn baby in an adoptive family without the birthfather's consent.

Stories about wrongful adoption are certainly not very common, but as Archuletta points out in his book:

"In the world of adoption, this type of deception does not happen much when gauged in numbers and percentages. However, when gauged in human lives, one is more than we should allow."

With many different elements and layers involved, Archuletta's account is indeed a complicated one, and it can be easy to become tangled up in the vast web of information and details that form his case. His anger with his unfortunate situation is apparent, flaring up throughout the book, and much of his writing is emotionally charged. He levels serious accusations against Children of the World Adoption Agency, along with the attorney involved with his son's placement, and goes into much depth presenting his suspicions, that those in charge of the proceeding did not do all that was required of them by law to notify the birthfather of the pending adoption.

Utilizing the New Jersey Open Public Records Act, Archuletta cites numerous documents and letters pertaining to his case to help defend his claims. But he goes further and offers his speculations and theories as to what was going on behind closed doors.

Despite his efforts, Archuletta has never been able to see his son face to face. Acknowledging how much time has passed since his ordeal began, he notes that his intent is no longer to obtain custody but rather just to have a chance to communicate with his son. He writes:

"I must consider my son's life as it is now, a person cannot change one's past; he can only mold his future. Considering this, and after much thought, an attempt to mold my son's future would be to try to change his past. This would be an act against nature. I will not seek custody."

Because it centers on adoption laws, the writing is heavy with legal language, which might make it difficult for this book to speak simply to a larger, more general audience of readers. But beneath all of the specific legal details is a story of a father trying to connect with his lost son; and that is the theme that readers may be able to relate to and sympathize with, even if they have never directly experienced such a situation.

A Man's Search for the Truth
There are countless stories about the controversial issue about adoption. There are also countless stories about children finding their birth parents, women giving up their babies and about the absentee fathers ... there are so many heart-breaking stories out there but there is a strange silence on the matter of the fathers' perspective. One do not hear about the birth fathers. It is assumed that they don't care because they're not raising a fuss about their position in this adoption issue. However, there is finally a book about a man who discovered that he does have a child out there somewhere. This is his story about the fighting the legal system in his quest for the truth to what really happened.

There is a lot of legalese information in this book and it can be confusing, but don't give up because he tries to share his story as thoroughly as he possibly can. It is a very important story. One critic that has read his book decries at the end of her review that Mr. Archuletta needs an editor, well, maybe so, but considering that he's publishing his book on his own (presumably because a publishing house didn't find the topic a hot button? Presumably the subject matter is controversial?), he did a heck of a job writing this book. It is both emotionally charged in areas and very proficient in others. He is describing his fight for truth and for justice after all, his voice was silenced by the birth mother who claimed that there was no father involved. His voice was also silenced by lawyers and counsels involved with the adoption agencies. They tried but he refused to give up the battle.

As one reads this man's harrowing journey in the adoption process, one cannot help but feel for him as he has to fight against all odds. First, he was misled by his girlfriend who told him one story about their child, then to find out when the same woman is exhorting the adoptive parents for more money that his presumably dead infant had indeed been given away without his knowledge or consent. Then when he embarked on the journey to find out the truth and to find his child, he was stonewalled at every turn of his journey. It is a murky issue and one that a lot of the professionals involved were hesitant to embark on because of the risks to their careers. But Archuletta kept on pushing for the truth. He realizes that he may never see his child, but he is pursuing justice so other fathers will have a chance to have their voices heard and their rights won't be discarded so easily when a woman decides to sign over an infant to another couple without giving the biological father a chance to keep his child.

This is a must-read for all readers, whether or not they're law students or your average reader. It is rare for a book to be out there in the publishing field about a man fighting to see his own child and for his own rights as a father who was never told the truth about his son's birth. This is a story of a fight that must be continued in the pursuit of the truth and of keeping the biological father's rights as it is without disregarding it. Yes, there are men out there who don't care about their responsibilities as a father, but there are men out there who do want to remain involved in their children's lives and their voices should be heard as well.

3/8/09

This book does not deliver on its promise!
Don't be taken in by the tease on the back cover: "This book will teach you [prospective adoptive parent] what to look for to spot fraud or unethical maneuvers in the adoption process and to avoid this terrible scenario when you welcome a child into your home."Sadly, it doesn't follow through on that promise.
What it is:This is David Archuletta's personal story as an alleged father whose former partner committed perjury by signing an Unknown Father Affidavit [in New Jersey] in spite of his having been somewhat involved in the pregnancy until she left her Colorado home to do an adoption -- but the reader has to make it through a third of the book to learn that. Convoluted sentences, mis-matched syntax, sarcastic comments that don't relate to the material -- it's difficult to find the meat.
Mr. Archuletta has two important messages to deliver:don't assume that adoption is the best solution to every unwed pregnancy, and, the baby's father has important information to share, including (in his case) his potentially dire medical history.Mr. Archuletta should not have been left out of this important decision for his child. Whether his involvement might have meant a different outcome or not, his rights were discounted.
Mr. Archuletta's story should be a reminder to adoption agency workers and adoption attorneys why a best services practitioner should refuse to do an adoption when a pregnant client refuses to identify the father.To do less is to risk loss of licensure.
HOWEVER, this is one of those books that takes one situation and generalizes it to all adoptions.It well may be that Mr. Archuletta's real intent was to scare prospective adoptive couples away from adoption all together.If that's the goal, he may have succeeded, but not in the way he planned.
You know that saying in legal circles that "The person who serves as his own attorney has a fool for a client"?Well, meet the book publishing version:"The self-publishing author who acts as his own editor shows himself as a fool."By the tedious end of his book, the author comes off as a wigged-out psychopath on a rant.Where I once had a modicum of sympathy for his case, he's done his cause a disservice by going on and on and on and on.David, get an editor!
Beth Kozan, Phoenix
... Read more