About the Book
This volume addresses adoption policies and practices as they pertain to adopted children from Eastern Europe, children who have histories of "pre-adoption adversity." Drawing on her decade-long experience as an adoptive parent of siblings born in Russia, and her expertise as an applied sociologist, Josephine A. Ruggiero examines the central issues involved in international adoptions, focusing on older children, as well as siblings, and suggests needed changes in policy and practice. Ruggiero's examples from real adoptive families give a human face to the issues, needs, and strategies she discusses. This book brings a fresh, relevant, multilevel, sociological perspective and original data to bear on the subject of adoptive family well-being.
About the Author :
Josephine A. Ruggiero, professor of sociology at Providence College, is an applied sociologist, international adoption researcher, and the mother of three non-infant siblings she and her husband adopted from Russia in 1994.
Review :
"[I]nvestigates how children with histories of preadoption adversity and countries with injudicious adoption polices affect the possibility for an adoptive family to function successfully. Ruggiero also discusses interventions and strategies for improving the success of this type of adoption."
--E. W. Carp, Choice
"Eastern European children who are adopted by Americans often have pre-adoption adversities like trauma and attachment disorder. The adoptive parents of such children are not informed, or prepared, to take on these challenges. "Eastern European Adoption" is really a handbook for those parents about what to expect and prepare for financially, emotionally and socially. I highly recommend her book."
--Donna Montalbano, "Speaking of Adoption" radio host
"Ruggiero provides an illuminating and candid portrait and appraisal of Americans' adoption of children from Eastern Europe, especially Russia, since 1990. Through a skillful combination of quantitative survey data and qualitative "case narratives" that she has gathered from a sample of adoptive parents, she honestly describes the challenges and problems, as well as the substantial rewards, that are often involved in such adoptions."
--Allen Fisher, Stead Family Professor of Sociology, Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa "A treasure trove of useful advice and information for parents assuming the sometimes daunting challenges linked with older adoptions. Yet, this is also a work aimed at social service professionals and child rights advocates, aimed at improving current practices in social services."
--William Feigelman, Ph.D., Professor of Sociology, Nassau Community College
"A thorough, insightful look at Eastern European orphans and their adoptive families. Inspiring, sometimes heartbreaking, Ms. Ruggiero offers her expertise to point the way towards a more humane system. Ms. Ruggiero brings personal experience and professional expertise to her examination of Eastern European Adopt
"Eastern European children who are adopted by Americans often have pre-adoption adversities like trauma and attachment disorder. The adoptive parents of such children are not informed, or prepared, to take on these challenges. "Eastern European Adoption" is really a handbook for those parents about what to expect and prepare for financially, emotionally and socially. I highly recommend her book."
--Donna Montalbano, "Speaking of Adoption" radio host "Ruggiero provides an illuminating and candid portrait and appraisal of Americans' adoption of children from Eastern Europe, especially Russia, since 1990. Through a skillful combination of quantitative survey data and qualitative "case narratives" that she has gathered from a sample of adoptive parents, she honestly describes the challenges and problems, as well as the substantial rewards, that are often involved in such adoptions.
--Allen Fisher, Stead Family Professor of Sociology, Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
"A treasure trove of useful advice and information for parents assuming the sometimes daunting challenges linked with older adoptions. Yet, this is also a work aimed at social service professionals and child rights advocates, aimed at improving current practices in social services."
--William Feigelman, Ph.D., Professor of Sociology, Nassau Community College
"A thorough, insightful look at Eastern European orphans and their adoptive families. Inspiring, sometimes heartbreaking, Ms. Ruggiero offers her expertise to point the way towards a more humane system. Ms. Ruggiero brings personal experience and professional expertise to her examination of Eastern European Adoption. This combination leads to clear, finely tuned ideas for change. A terrific read for anyone who cares about the human condition and how families are made. Research data and personal stories are seamlessly woven together to create a clear understanding of how to improve Eastern European adoption for all involved
