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bethebookworm's review against another edition
3.0
Probably a good book to read if you are considering adoption. DNF because (a) I'm not considering adoption (b) I think I got the main point in the first half (i.e. adoption is often a market and a demand creates a supply) (c) absolutely no quotes or even stories from the adoptee's perspective. I skimmed the second half and it seemed the trend continues throughout the book.
rkuschmider's review against another edition
4.0
Make no mistake, this book opens view of adoption that hasn't been widely seen. It demonstrates that adoption, far from being an unqualified good, can be a profoundly misguided act. I say CAN be, no is. There are good adoptions the world over. But there is also a thread of adoption motivations that come from the notion that the only fit parents are western Christians and there is an industry catering to the mindset that leaves bio-families marginalized. It's troubling. This book focuses on international adoption primarily but the chapter on how crisis pregnancy centers in the US operate and the history of women being coerced to give up their babies is eye-opening. A good read, though with a definite bias. It will satisfy liberals and infuriate conservative.
ptaradactyl's review against another edition
4.0
An eye-opening read, but one that may have played into my own pre-existing opinions about the American evangelical savior complex. I would have liked some counter-points to understand more from the adopting parents’ perspective.
dayroom0063's review against another edition
5.0
One of the most important books I've ever read. The author's spectacularly conducted interviews and research made my blood boil in the best way possible.
International adoption started booming as folks sought purely closed adoptions. In this way it is much easier to avoid contact with the biological family and, if necessary, evade a birth mother who later decides she wants her child back. Importantly, there is a perpetual myth that there are millions of orphans who fit a specific profile -- physically and emotionally healthy, under 2 years old, often female -- and are readily available for wealthy, white Christian-American adoptive parents. This is not the reality. In this book Joyce explains the link between the adoption savior complex and Christian gospel and how it has rendered international adoption a business that in many cases is criminal and or morally questionable.
The narratives raise countless ethical questions for a reader of any religion. Do adoptive parents' wealth and naivety truly yield better outcomes for "orphans" abroad who usually have at least one surviving biological parent? What are the consequences of tearing a child away from a native land, culture, and language? Seldom are these topics even considered by Westerners who feel qualified solely based on the amount of money they will pay a bureaucratic agency, "finder," or even the birth mother directly for a child who will fulfill a selfish emotional need.
The amount of attention Joyce gives to each country featured here felt just right. I appreciated learning how different these systems can be, even between neighboring countries (e.g. Uganda and Rwanda). Other reviewers noting that this book is "cherry-picked" and not representative of Christian adoptive parents and potential adoptive parents are missing the point here. I feel this population probably needs this book the most. But honestly, this is a must-read for anyone touched by adoption or interested in American imperialism, women's rights, etc.
International adoption started booming as folks sought purely closed adoptions. In this way it is much easier to avoid contact with the biological family and, if necessary, evade a birth mother who later decides she wants her child back. Importantly, there is a perpetual myth that there are millions of orphans who fit a specific profile -- physically and emotionally healthy, under 2 years old, often female -- and are readily available for wealthy, white Christian-American adoptive parents. This is not the reality. In this book Joyce explains the link between the adoption savior complex and Christian gospel and how it has rendered international adoption a business that in many cases is criminal and or morally questionable.
The narratives raise countless ethical questions for a reader of any religion. Do adoptive parents' wealth and naivety truly yield better outcomes for "orphans" abroad who usually have at least one surviving biological parent? What are the consequences of tearing a child away from a native land, culture, and language? Seldom are these topics even considered by Westerners who feel qualified solely based on the amount of money they will pay a bureaucratic agency, "finder," or even the birth mother directly for a child who will fulfill a selfish emotional need.
The amount of attention Joyce gives to each country featured here felt just right. I appreciated learning how different these systems can be, even between neighboring countries (e.g. Uganda and Rwanda). Other reviewers noting that this book is "cherry-picked" and not representative of Christian adoptive parents and potential adoptive parents are missing the point here. I feel this population probably needs this book the most. But honestly, this is a must-read for anyone touched by adoption or interested in American imperialism, women's rights, etc.
sarahshapiro's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This is an incredibly well-researched book about the world of American Evangelical adoption, especially international adoption. It is fascinating and critical.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Abandonment, and Colonisation
ancequay's review against another edition
4.0
Eye opening and disheartening. I had no idea there were so many complex ethical issues surrounding international adoptions (but there are so many orphans in need of homes!). The book did tilt a little anti-evangelical Christian, which made me question its impartiality in a couple places, but it was a compelling if difficult read.
meaganchurch's review against another edition
5.0
Challenging, eye-opening, intense and important, this book explores and lays bare the non-warm-fuzzy side of adoption. A must-read, especially for those considering adopting. Quoted from the last page of the book, “Well-meaning people can enable tragedy with their good intentions or their lack of understanding of what an adopted child needs.”