ADOPTION
Introduction
Each year thousands of children around the world are abandoned by their biological parents, while many more become orphans as a result of tragic circumstances.
Fortunately, there are many wonderful people who are interested in adoption. All of them have something in common – big hearts and unending love for those who need it most - orphans.
Along with the many joys of adopting a child, struggles and multitudes of questions are a typical part of adoption process. Adoption can be confusing for all the parties involved – parents (both biological and adoptive) and children. It is necessary to understand how adoption will impact one’s life before committing to such an important responsibility of raising an orphaned child.
Statement of Purpose
Below is an annotated mediagraphy (bibliography of materials in audio and video formats) that I developed for those considering adopting a child; those who already adopted; and everyone who is otherwise interested in the topic of adoption.
This mediagraphy could be used for a public, academic or a special library collection of the many adoption agencies.
Why Audio and Video for This Topic
Adoption is emotional.
I felt that the best way to explore the subject of adoption would be through a variety of audio and video resources, where people who went through the process of adoption share their personal experiences and provide feedback for those in a similar situation. Memoirs of adoptees, documentaries about adoptive parents and adopted children, fiction films, and stories are just a few of the excellent ways to examine the topic of adoption.
Selection Criteria
In selecting the resources I tried to represent a variety of formats and ways to present the information about adoption. Included in this mediagraphy are feature films, documentaries, audio books, websites, and print resources (books and magazines). Diversity is represented through inclusion of resources about traditional and non-traditional families, inter-racial adoptions, and international adoptions.
It is important to note that there are many more resources on adoption which were not included in this mediagraphy; however, a conscientious effort was made to offer a diverse list of sources as a start to a more in-depth exploration of this topic.
Promotion Ideas
This collection can be used in various types of library.
In public libraries it can be promoted each year in November - the National Adoption Awareness Month.
In an academic library setting sources from the following mediagraphy could be used in part as a teaching tool for sociology, education, or psychology classes.
Special libraries, such as adoption agencies’ libraries, could use this mediagraphy as a reference and instructional means for those who seek the agency’s services.
ANNOTATED MEDIAGRAPHY:
VHS tapes and DVDs
Crossing Chasms
VHS: 90 min.
1998, [St. Louis, Mo.]: Distributed by Maven
ASIN: B00004T0R2
$29.95 at amazon.com
Summary:
CROSSING CHASMS is a documentary about Jennifer Arndt, a Korean adoptee, who returns to her birth country seeking answers to the complex questions surrounding her adoption. In her search to define her identity, she walks through her past to understand the present. On this journey she meets other Korean adoptees who share their experiences as she tries to track down her own biological family. Through her story and the testimonies of seven other adoptees, we learn about the complex issues facing Korean adoptees through their own voices.
Reviews:
Adoptee and recent communications school graduate Jennifer Arndt documented her search for her Korean birth parents, and incorporated the stories of a half-dozen other Korean adoptees in various stages of their own inquiries. While often amateurish, this 83-minute film provides useful insight into the particulars of Korean adoption. -- Kimberly Heinrichs (amazon.com)
“Crossing Chasms” deals with issues at the heart of international adoption -- a process that has affected the lives of millions worldwide and one that continues to grow in popularity. While any type of adoption involves many complexities, the addition of racial and cultural differences within a single family makes some things even harder. The goal of Crossing Chasms is not necessarily to provide answers, but to bring to light many issues with which the general public is unfamiliar -- especially pertaining to identity, culture, and media representation. -- Brian Johns (amazon.com)
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Made in China: The Story of Adopted Children from China
VHS: 48 min.
2000, [Vancouver]: Holiday Pictures
Audience: Adults
ISBN: 0970733224
$29.95 at chinasprout.com
Summary:
In this documentary, adopted children from China discuss their stories and speak about racial differences and biological identity. The program looks at adopted children from China by families in Canada. The children, ages 5-15, are predominately girls and are disarmingly frank and insightful as they tell their own stories and speak about racial differences and biological identity. Many of the children live with Caucasian families and face the challenge of making sense of their identity and their roots at a very young age. The stories reflect their inner conflicts and how they have come to terms with their hybrid identities. Sometimes tough, sometimes vulnerable, the children reveal the joys and pain of living in a visibly adoptive family.
Reviews:
“Mom, I’m tired of all the China stuff,” my Chinese-born niece once complained, voicing a simple truism: while adoptive parents might want their children to be familiar with their native culture, not every child will want the same. A Canadian documentary built around interviews with families from Newfoundland, Quebec, and British Columbia, Karin Lee's award-winning Made in China: The Story of Adopted Children from China features adopted children expressing a variety of opinions: some are interested in their birth parents, some are not, but most are not bothered by being a “noticeable minority” as one mother puts it, or “obviously adopted.” In one interesting segment, when a family goes to China to visit, a Chinese gentleman berates a Canadian boy for not answering him when spoken to, and is visibly irritated to find an ethnic Chinese who can’t speak the language--reminding us all that issues related to race and ethnicity are worldwide. It is recommended for larger parenting collections in public libraries. - Video Librarian
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In the Sun: A Complete Guide to Adoption
VHS
1994, Integrity Communications
ASIN: 0966395107
$44.95 at amazon.com
Summary:
In the Sun is a practical videotape guide to adoption. It was designed to provide all of the information, guidance, and data families need as they face the adoption process. Of greatest importance is the tone and style of In the Sun. It is reassuring, positive, and understanding of the fears and concerns would be adoptive parents have. If you are considering adoption you probably have no idea where to begin or what to expect. Those who have reviewed this valuable tape have given it high marks. They include: adoption attorneys, counselors, adoptive parents, adoption agency personnel, department of social services counselors, couples considering adoption, and a producer for Disney and Paramount.
Reviews:
Rejoice in the Sun (sung by Joan Baez) inspiringly introduces this exploration of adopting children. Candid conversations between couples who share their experiences are interwoven with commentary from a host and from adoption investigators and supervisors. This well-captioned program considers many factors in an adoption decision (motivations, finances, legalities, etc.), the methods (public, private, and independent agencies), and the types of children (infants, older, special needs, foreign born). The title is extremely thorough in its coverage and its recommended resources. This informative production offers support to those caught up in this complex process. – amazon.com
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Daddy & Papa
VHS or DVD: 57 min.
2002, New Day Films or Persistent Visions
Audience: College – Adult
Summary:
A documentary exploring the personal, cultural, and political impact of gay men who are making a decision that is at once traditional and revolutionary: to raise children themselves. Taking us inside four gay male families, this documentary traces the critical issues that inevitably intersect their private lives the ambiguous place of interracial families in America, the wonder and precariousness of surrogacy and adoption, the complexities of marriage and divorce within the gay community, and the legality of their own parenthood.
Reviews:
Issues surrounding the adoption of children by gay men, single and partnered, are thoroughly explored in this outstanding documentary. Told through the experiences of four gay families, Daddy & Papa examines interracial couples, interracial adoptions, hard-to-adopt children, surrogate mothers, partner split-ups, attitudes of grandparents, religious attitudes, and legal issues such as Florida's ban on gay adoptions, among other topics. The children appear to be happy and well adjusted, reflecting the loving environments in which they are being raised; the sexuality of their parents seems to be a minor issue. Enhanced by good production values and smooth editing, this award-winning video is an excellent choice for university and large public libraries. Its price makes it an optional purchase for smaller libraries. – Library Journal
Awards:
Best Documentary, Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, 2002
Golden Gate Award; Best First Person Documentary, San Francisco International Film Festival, 2002.
Best Documentary, Dallas Outtakes 2002
Best Documentary, Connecticut Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, 2002
Audience Award For Best Documentary, Portland Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, 2002
Audience Award For Best Feature, Out At The Movies 2002, Potsdam, NY
Audience Award For Best Independent Documentary, 2002 Imageout/Rochester Gay And Lesbian Film Festival
Audience Award For Best Film
Audience Award For Best Documentary, Orinda Film Festival, 2002
Audience Award For Best Documentary, Florida Film Festival, 2002
Audience Award For Best Documentary, 1st Runner Up, Seattle Int'l Film Festival, 2002
Emerging Film Award For Best Documentary, North Carolina Gay & Lesbian Film Festival 2002
Breaking The Mold Award, Newport Film Festival 2002
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I Love You Like Crazy Cake
VHS (Inconographic; Close-Captioned): 7 min.
2002, Norwalk, CT: Weston Woods
Audience: Pre-K to 2
ISBN: 0788209787
$19.95 at chinasprout.com
Summary:
An iconographic presentation of the book by Rose Lewis with illustrations by Jane Dyer and narrated by Mia Farrow, this program tells the story of the author's arduous trip to China to adopt a baby girl. Charming watercolors and a complementary musical score make this a very special experience.
Reviews:
Pre School - Grade 3, this faithful adaptation of Rose Lewis's picture book (Little, 2000) conveys all the on-mother's-knee warmth of the book. The story, told as a mother talking to her adopted daughter, describes the adoption, skipping over the legal aspects and heading straight for the mother-child bonding that follows. Actress Mia Farrow narrates the tale in a gentle, measured tone that perfectly meshes with the text. The video scans Jane Dyer's tender watercolors, rightly focusing on the expressive faces of the characters. Spot animation is used to great effect, for clouds moving in the sky, airplanes on their way to and from China, and a tear falling down the baby's cheek. Upbeat but soft background music with an Oriental feel reinforces the warm mood. This sweet love letter from mother to child receives excellent treatment in video format, though the adult point of view and specific subject matter may unfortunately narrow its audience. – School Library Journal (2002)
Awards:
2003 Notable Children's Film and Video
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Adopting Olya
VHS: 30 min.
1994, Lexicon Bridge Publishers
In Russian and English with English narration and subtitles
$33.00 at Lexicon Bridge Publishers
Summary:
Traces the story of an American couple who adopt a Russian orphan. Filmed primarily in a Russian orphanage. Includes commentary by the adoptive parents and Russian caretakers.
Reviews:
Adopting Olya is a candid look at Russian orphanages and the many struggles Russian orphans battle on daily basis. Russian bureaucracy and overall difficulty with adoption procedures, as well as language barrier are revealed through the 30 minute journey of a little Russian girl and her adoptive American parents. The film is highly recommended for those looking to adopt a child from Russia. – Anastasia Guimaraes
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Losing Isaiah
VHS: 108 min.
DVD: 106 min.
1995, Hollywood, Calif.: Paramount Pictures Studio
Rated: R
ISBN: 0792136047 (VHS)
ISBN: 0792190726 (DVD)
$9.95 (VHS); $13.49 (DVD) at amazon.com
Summary:
A woman who has adopted an abandoned child to give it a new life has to fight for him when his birth mother shows up and wants him back.
Reviews:
This laborious chronicle of a child-custody battle begins with a crack-addicted infant being left in a Chicago projects dumpster by his mother (Berry), who then goes off to buy drugs. Discovered by sanitation workers, the baby is brought to the hospital, where his tenacity profoundly moves a social worker (Lange). With barely a word of caution or protest from her husband (Strathairn), Lange, the mother of an adolescent (Daisy Eagan), decides to adopt the foundling (played as a 4-year-old by Marc John Jefferies).
After Berry has successfully gone through drug rehab and learns that her son is alive and living in the suburbs with his adopted family, she is galvanized to win him back. Lange is just as fiercely determined to keep him.
As all the media attention about Baby Jessica demonstrated, the issue of birth mother vs. adoptive mother is explosive and polarizing. That in the case of Losing Isaiah it's a black birth mother vs. a white adoptive mother should render matters that much more incendiary. But this turgid, flat-footed movie insists on having things both ways. First, it appears to say that a biological mother, however horrific her past acts, has the right to her child. Then, shifting seismically, the film suggests that the child belongs with the woman who saved and raised him, the only woman he has ever called Mommy.
Lange and Berry play their roles with admirable fervor; Samuel L. Jackson, as Berry's lawyer, and Cuba Gooding Jr., as her persistent suitor, add heft to the production. But Losing Isaiah never manages to find itself. – People Magazine
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Secrets and Lies
VHS (Close-Captioned): 142 min.
DVD (Close-Captioned): 106 min.
1996, Beverly Hills, CA: CBS Fox Video/Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Rated: R
ISBN: 0792136047 (VHS)
ISBN: 0792190726 (DVD)