Children and youth in adoption, orphanages, and foster care

Adoption and foster care is a new and burgeoning area of historical and interdisciplinary research; however, it is one where, too often, birth parents, adoptive parents, foster parents, social workers, and the children themselves have either been ignored or demonized. This authoritative and accessible work is the first comprehensive introductory resource that gives a more complete view of the many individuals and groups, as well as a more thorough understanding of the various social and economic forces that have contributed to the perceptions of what children are in need of care. Also discussed is the role of orphanages, once the primary institution for children without parents as well as a stopgap measure for poor children needing temporary care. Divided into three major sections, original essays review the practice of adoption, orphanage placement and foster care from the colonial period to the present day. Selected primary documents, including materials by children, as well as an in-depth bibliographic section, provide crucial information and insight for high school and college students. Social workers, journalists, and others will also find much value in this historical overview and guide. Contributors include Elizabeth Bartholet, Marilyn Irvin Holt, Martha Satz, and Claudia Nelson.

Year

2005

Language

English

Publisher

ABC-CLIO, LLC

Editions

1

ISBN

9780313021541

Data source: Wikidata