Birth Mothers Now Birth Grandmothers: Intergenerational Relationships in Open Adoptions

Abstract

Despite growing trends in openness between birth and adoptive families, little is known about what happens when adopted children become parents and birth mothers become birth grandmothers. These new and unique relationships between birth mothers and their grandchildren were examined through intensive case study analyses of in-depth interviews with birth mothers who placed infants for adoption more than 25?years ago (N?=?11). Findings revealed enjoyment in their role as grandmothers and emphasized the significant role the adult adoptee (parent) played in influencing communication with their grandchild and families’ incorporation of technology-mediated contact to overcome geographic barriers. Implications for practitioners, policy makers, and researchers are discussed.     

The Influence of Gender on the Placement of Children with Gay or Lesbian Adoptive Parents

Abstract

This study examines the opinions of men and women from a random phone sample of super voters (those persons voting in the last three out of four possible elections) in Florida (N = 413) toward gay men and/or lesbians as adoptive parents. The survey gathered information on whether the respondents would place boys or girls available for adoption with gay men or lesbians. Controlling for various demographic variables, bivariate logistic regressions were performed for each possible parent/child combination. Several variables were consistently significant across the models tested, explaining from 22 to 29% of the variance. These included race/ethnicity, religious identification, respondent's gender, and political ideology. Implications of this study for policy-makers and child welfare practitioners are posited.     

Theoretical Explanatory Model of International Adoption Failure: Attachment and Ecological Systems Perspectives

International adoption, the transfer of children for parenting purposes from one nation to another, presents an extreme form of what is often known as “stranger” adoption, in contrast to relative adoption (Bartholet, 2005 Bartholet, E. (2005). International adoption. In L. Askeland (Ed.), Children and youth in adoption, orphanages, and foster care (pp. 107–130). Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group. [Google Scholar], p. 8). Adoption brings major changes to the lives of children and adoptive parents. Intercountry adoptions are associated with high monetary costs, long waiting periods to adopt, changes of the family environment, and cultural challenges, along with other bureaucratic and socioeconomic factors. This paper explores the issue of international adoption failure through the prism of two theories: attachment theory and ecological systems theory. The author begins with a brief history of international adoption into the United States, followed by a discussion of factors contributing into adoption failure as discussed in other literature. Next, adoption failure is theoretically analyzed using the concepts of attachment and ecological systems theories. Suggestions for adoption practitioners are included.     

Minding the (Information) Gap: What Do Emerging Adult Adoptees Want to Know About Their Birth Parents?

Abstract

The formation of an adoption information gap was examined for a group of 169 emerging adults (M?=?25.0?years) who were adopted as infants. Participants completed interviews and questionnaires at adolescence and emerging adulthood (late teens to 20s). The Adoption Curiosity Pathway model guided research questions about formation of an adoption information gap, which exists when there is a difference between what an adopted person knows and what he or she desires to know regarding his or her adoption. In addition, specific issues were identified about which emerging adults were curious. Differences in these specific issues were examined across gender and openness arrangement with birth parents at emerging adulthood. The most frequently sought information was medical and health history. Logistic regression analyses revealed that the formation of an adoption information gap, which contains the specific items of curiosity, was more likely for those who were less satisfied with the amount of openness with birth parents during both adolescence and emerging adulthood. Implications for practice are presented.     

Parent-Child Interaction Styles Between Gay and Lesbian Parents and Their Adopted Children

SUMMARY

While myths exist that call into question the parenting ability of gay and lesbian parents as well as the impact of such parenting on children in their care, there is an ever increasing body of literature that clearly demonstrates the capabilities of these parents with their birth children. However, there continues to be a dearth of research on gay and lesbian adoptive parents and their children. To address this deficiency in the literature, this article explores the parenting styles of gay and lesbian adoptive parents and strengths of their children between the ages of 5–9 years (N = 94), using scores from the Parent-as-a-Teacher Inventory and the Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale. Results illustrate that the gay and lesbian adoptive parents in this sample fell into the desirable range of the parenting scale and their children have strength levels equal to or exceeding the scale norms. Finally, various aspects of parenting style significantly predicted the adoptive parents' view of their child's level of care difficulty which subsequently predicted the type and level of strengths assessed within their adopted child. Recommendations for practice, policy and future research are highlighted.     

From Face-to-Face to Facebook: The Role of Technology and Social Media in Adoptive Family Relationships with Birth Family Members

ABSTRACT

This qualitative study of 77 individuals in 40 couples (same-sex and heterosexual), who had adopted publically, privately, or internationally, examined parents' engagement with their child's birth family via technology (e.g., texting, e-mail, social media) through the lens of the Couple and Family Technology frame-work (Hertlein & Blumer, 2014 Hertlein, K. M., & Blumer, M. L. C. (2014). The couple and family technology framework. New York, NY: Routledge. [Google Scholar]). Parents used three approaches to contact: active, passive, and no contact. Regardless of approach, some parents described concerns about boundaries. Couples were generally in agreement in their perspectives on engaging with birth family via technology. Practitioners must be know-ledgeable about management of relationships via technology and help adoptive families set healthy boundaries.     

VIDEO REVIEW

Abstract

THE NEUROBIOLOGY OF ALCOHOLISM: SIMPLIFIED. A presentation of the Betty Ford Center at Eisenhower. Produced by Annenberg Center for Health Sciences, Rancho Mirage, CA. Reviewed by Ted R. Watkins.     

Changes in Motivation for Adoption,Value Orientations and Behavior in Three Generations of Adoptive Parents

ABSTRACT

It is hypothesized that in this century a pattern of three generations of adoptive parents has developed: the traditional-closed generation, the open-idealistic, and the materialistic-realistic generation. These three generations differ considerably in motives and attitudes concerning adoption. Changes in the adoption field are connected with important changes in society. Adoption has lost its taboo character, domestic adoption is decreasing or has almost vanished (Scandinavia, The Netherlands) and interracial adoption has started. Several figures illustrating changes in adoption patterns during the period 1960–1995 support the hypothesis.     

Index

Abstract

Korea in Focus, 1994, a twenty-five-minute VHS video produced by the Korean Film Production Center, Seoul, Korea. Reviewed by John Douglas Hoge.

Social Studies Guide on Korea for High School Teachers by Craig S. Coleman, published by the Korea Society/Los Angeles in July 1994. Reviewed by John Douglas Hoge.

Armento, B., and T. Murray, 1994. Teaching about Korea: Lessons for Students in Grades 4–12. Korea Society–New York, ATTN: Education Programs, 950 3rd Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10022, (212) 759–7525, FAX (212) 759–7530. $3.00 postage and handling. Reviewed by Robert W. Wood.     

Political geography and interest-group power

The relationship between the distribution of an interest group's members (i.e., voters) across legislative districts and the group's ability to influence government policy is not well understood. We propose a simple model of interest groups and legislative decisionmaking to characterize this relationship formally, and analyze the model for the case of three competing interest groups. We find that an interest group's expected power is maximized when its members are evently divided across (m+1)/2 of the m districts, except when the group is somewhat small, in which case its expected power is maximized when it is evenly divided across all m districts. Expected power decreases sharply as a group's members become concentrated in fewer than (m+1)/2 districts.The author would like to thank the participants of the Workshop in Applications of Economics at the University of chicago fpr their helpful comments, and the Center for the Study of the Economy and the State for its financial support.     

A Study of Australian Intercountry Adoption: Choosing Applicants to Parent

Abstract

Australian families are changing and parenthood is increasingly being seen as an individual choice. One important arena for exercising such choice is adoption, which today takes place across national boundaries in the form of intercountry adoption. This is now the predominant type of adoption in Australia. In order to reach their goal of parenthood, individuals choosing intercountry adoption must undergo an education and assessment process. This paper presents the findings from research undertaken as part of a larger doctoral study, with prospective intercountry adoptive parents, intercountry adoptive parents, adoption professionals, and support group representatives living in Australia. Three groups were found to exist in relation to the intercountry adoption assessment process: embracers, acceptors, and pragmatists. Factors influencing each group are discussed and suggestions for strengthening the role and efficacy of education and assessment in the selection of Australian intercountry adoptive parents are recommended.     

The Effect of Mixing Events on the Dynamics of pH1N1 Outbreaks at Small Residential Colleges

Abstract

Objective: The authors examine the dynamics and the impact of all-campus events on pH1N1 spread at Bates College in fall 2009, with comparisons to 3 other campuses. Participants: Students (N = 285) presented or called in to the Bates Health Center with symptoms consistent with influenza-like illness. Methods: Health Center staff at Bates collected data on the outbreak; data from other colleges are from Web sites and journal articles. Data were analyzed using a mathematical model for influenza. Results: Bates held 2 vaccine clinics mid-outbreak. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that the vaccine clinics may have altered routine student interactions, facilitating transmission of pH1N1 among students who otherwise might not have encountered each other. Conclusion: The vaccine clinics, held when vaccine became available, were too late to halt transmission. The disruptions to campus rhythms due to the vaccine clinics may instead have contributed to pH1N1 spread.     

The Ethics of Medical Decision-Making with Japanese-American Elders in Hawaii

SUMMARY

This study reports observations by oncology nurses, doctors, social workers and administrators at Queen's Medical Center (QMC) in Honolulu (N = 50), concerning cultural, religious and institutional factors influencing mentally competent Japanese-American elders signing medical informed consent (IC) documents without understanding them. Sixty-eight percent of respondents reported having observed elderly Japanese-Americans signing IC documents without understanding them. Explanatory concepts of enryo(refraining from imposing one's own interest or desire), oyakoko(filial piety), ishin-denshin(silent communication) and obasute(a traditional practice of sacrificing oneself to avoid being a burden to others), in addition to other cultural concepts are discussed for their possible contribution to “signing without understanding.” Suggestions are made for further research to include elders and their family members to explore the perceptions of IC. The study concludes with recommendations for improvements to the laws, policies, programs and procedures governing the IC process in order to achieve a better fit with the cultural, ethnic and religious characteristics of Japanese-American elderly patients in America.     

Open adoption records,the human rights of adopted people,and discrimination: the case of Odièvre v France 2003

The recent judgement by the European Court of Human Rights in the Odièvre v France case has denied some adopted people the right to access identifying information about their family of origin. Yet, in the UK, adopted people have enjoyed the right to access identifying information for many years. The evidence from practice and research has demonstrated the positive benefits adopted people and their birth and adoptive relatives have gained from an open record policy. In this paper, the authors argue that denying some adopted people access to information that could enhance their personal identity creates an act of discrimination.     

Soviet Antisemitism after Stalin

William Korey, Russian Antisemitism, Pamyat, and the Demonology of Zionism (Studies in Antisemitism 2). Chur (Switzerland): Harwood Academic Publishers for the Vidal Sassoon International Center for the Study of Antisemitism, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem 1995. Notes. Bibl. Ind. x+243pp. £35.00: £17.00 (pbk)

Semyon Reznik, The Nazification of Russia: Antisemitism in the Post‐Soviet Era. Washington DC: Challenge Publications 1996. Notes. Ind. 276pp. £14.50: $15.95 (pbk). Distributed in the UK by Gazelle Books Services Ltd, Lancaster

Matthias Messmer, Sowjetischer and postkommunistischer Antisemitismus: Entwicklungen in Russland, der Ukraine und Litauen (Konstanzer Schriften zur Schoah und Judaica). With a foreword by Walter Laqueur. Notes. Append. Bibl. Ind. Konstanz: Hartung‐Gorre 1997. viii+533+7pp. DM72.00 (pbk)     

Egalitarian-equivalence and the Pareto principle for social preferences

The Pareto principle is often in conflict with the equity criteria in construction of social preferences: there exist two allocations x and y such that x Pareto dominates y, but y is an equitable allocation whereas x is not. The efficiency-first principle requires to rank an allocation x higher than y if (i) x Pareto dominates y or (ii) x and y are Pareto-noncomparable and x is equitable whereas y is not. The equity-first principle reverses the order of application of the two criteria. Adopting egalitarian-equivalence as the notion of equity, we examine rationality of the social preference functions based on the efficiency-first or the equity-first principle. The degrees of rationality vary widely depending on which principle is adopted, and depending on the range of egalitarian-reference bundles. We show several impossibility and possibility results as well as a characterization of the social preference function introduced by Pazner and Schmeidler (1978). We also identify the sets of maximal elements of the social preference relations in the set of feasible allocations. The results are contrasted with those in the case where no-envy is the notion of equity.This paper is a much extended version of a part of Tadenuma (1998). The author is grateful to Marc Fleurbaey, Serge-Chiristophe Kolm, Kotaro Suzumura, and William Thomson for helpful comments on the earlier version of the paper. ‘‘Financial support from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan for the 21st Century Center of Excellence Project on the Normative Evaluation and Social Choice of Contemporary Economic Systems is gratefully acknowledged’’.     

Prevalence and Behavioral Correlates of Depression and Anxiety Among Male Sex Workers in Vietnam

ABSTRACT. Objectives: This study assessed depression and anxiety symptoms and their association with high-risk sexual and drug behaviors among male sex workers in 3 Vietnamese cities. Methods: Male sex workers ages 16 to 35 years old completed an interview that included the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale to assess depressive symptoms and the Beck Anxiety Inventory to assess anxiety symptoms, as well as questions assessing drug and sexual risk practices. Results: A majority of participants reported depressive symptomatology, although fewer reported symptoms of anxiety. Risky sexual and drug use practices predicted both types of symptoms. Conclusions: Mental distress is associated with drug and sexual risk among male sex workers.     

Reviews

‘Mirror Opposites’. Steven E. Aschheim, Brothers and Strangers: The East European Jew in German and German Jewish Consciousness, 1800–1923. The University of Wisconsin Press, 1999. xxxi + 331pp. Bibliography. Illustrations. Notes. Index. ISBN: 0–299–09110–4

Hoping to Live in Harmony. Henry Abramson, A Prayer for the Government: Ukrainians and Jews in Revolutionary Times, 1917–1920. Cambridge: Harvard University Press for the Ukrainian Research Institute and Center for Jewish Studies, Harvard University, 1999, xxi + 255pp. Bibl. Index. Illus. $34.95 (cloth); $18.95 (paper)

A Jewish‐Russian Hybrid. Dovid Knut, Sobranniye sochineniia (Collected Works) (The Hebrew University of Jerusalem), Vol. 1. 1997, 417pp.; Vol. 2, 1998, 719pp. Compiled by Vladimir Khazan. Appendices. Index

Russian Jewish Intellectuals in America. Steven Cassedy, To the Other Shore: The Russian Jewish Intellectuals Who Came to America. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1997. xxiii + 197 pp. Illus. Index. ISBN: 0691–02975‐X.     

Popular Nonprofit Management Research Sources on CD-ROM

Nonprofit World 1983–1996. Madison, Wis.: Learning Institute for Nonprofit Organizations, 1997. $50 CD-ROM. FC Search: The Foundation Center's Database on CD-ROM, Version 2.0. New York: Foundation Center, 1997. $1,995 CD-ROM personal version.     

Adoptions, 2000–2001

ABSTRACT

The number of domestic adoptions has remained relatively constant over the past 15 years, varying between 121,000 and 127,000, but placements have increasingly been completed by public agencies. Adoption of foreign-born children in the United States has nearly tripled in the past 20 years. Despite the increased national interest in adoption in the past decade and the efforts of many dedicated individuals and agencies, it is still difficult to determine the total number of adoptions in the United States. No one agency is charged with compiling adoption information on all adoptions in the United States, and the agencies that do have access to some types of adoption information have no mandate or incentive to compile that information so that it could be integrated with other sources of adoption information.