feedback for "Infant Industry: Jane Aronson, the Orphan Doctor"
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I was very disappointed in Aronson's characterization of domestic adoption as being dominated by "smoking, alcohol, drugs" or mentally ill or depressed birthmothers. These myths discourage people from adopting domestically when there are many wonderful situations (such as our own) to be had.
The reasons domestic birthmothers pursue adoption are as various as the birthmothers themselves. Their reasons can range from financial ones, to bad relationships, to already having children and not wanting another one. When you adopt domestically, you work with your agency (or lawyer) to find the situation right for you. In our case, there were certainly no drugs, alcohol or smoking involved. Our child's birth mother had her issues, of course--adoption is born out of loss--but mental illness was not one of them. I don't mean to paint a falsely glowing portrait of domestic adoption, but it's not the morass of horrors that Aronson seemed to imply it was. I wish and hope more people pursue domestic adoption as myths about it are slowly dispelled (but statements like Aronson's don't help!).
posted by : Perdita on 2/19/2009 at 1:59 PM Flag For Abuse
