Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood by Gretchen Sisson

6 reviews

divduck's review against another edition

dark emotional informative sad

4.5

really appreciate the author shedding light on the neglected and outright pushed-aside stories of relinquishing mothers. her analysis of the sociological factors in adoption is top-notch. bringing a reproductive justice framework to the conversation around adoption as a (false) alternative to abortion is so crucial and yet not a focus of feminists or well-intentioned activists in general (not even a drop in the bucket for the general public), and it needs to be, as sisson makes crystal clear. very very very important read and unfortunately extremely timely post-roe v wade.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Trafficking, Grief, Pregnancy, Colonisation, and Classism

Moderate: Religious bigotry

Minor: Domestic abuse and Rape

lisettemarie's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective sad

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Abortion, and Classism

jenniferbbookdragon's review

challenging informative medium-paced

4.5

Sisson has done serious academic work and presents it with compassion and recognition of the politics involved. By interviewing 77 women who placed children for adoption,  17 of them twice at 10 year intervals,  she is able to share the experiences of the people forgotten by most writings about adoption. Through their stories,  we see how women are shamed, manipulated, and left behind by those with money, privilege, and political agendas. She makes a compelling case for a complete reset of adoption law and practice, from enforceable open adoption agreements and options counseling that includes a parenting plan,  to honest sex education and public support systems that include affordable housing,  healthcare, and paid family leave.
I worked in child welfare for 8 years in the 1990s and early 2000s, and saw many of the issues raised here. Birth mothers have incredible grief and deserve more support,  better services,  and a right to a continued relationship to their child.
Thank you to the author and the birth mothers for sharing this.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Pregnancy, and Classism

Moderate: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, and Abandonment

booksawyer's review

challenging dark emotional informative sad slow-paced

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Grief, Abortion, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Alcoholism, Rape, Sexual violence, Medical trauma, and Abandonment

Minor: Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship

anxiousrage's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative tense medium-paced

5.0

Outstanding and necessary read. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Abortion

brdwilliams's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative sad fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Rape