Girls Who Went Away: The Hidden History of Women Who Surrended Children for Adoption

[gentlebirthmothr]

Girls Who Went Away: The Hidden History of Women Who Surrended Children for Adoption in the Decades (After World War II) Before Roe v. Wade (1973), Ann Fessler

I to have say this was wonderful book on this subject. This needs to read everyone no matter what, even men as well. This should be everyone permanent collection as well, no matter what. Hopefully PBS American Experience will a episode or mini series on this because it needs to be done for sure.

Think thats it for now.

[Awaken]

That sounds really fascinating. I think Diane Rehm had this as a topic on her show not too long ago, if you want to search the npr website for it.

[gentlebirthmothr]

Originally Posted by itsybitsy25

That sounds really fascinating. I think Diane Rehm had this as a topic on her show not too long ago, if you want to search the npr website for it.

itsybitsy,

It was really fasinating and I wrote to the author last friday (9/1), when I finished that book, just waiting for her reply.

[gentlebirthmothr]

[Lazyhead]

I was one of those children.

[gentlebirthmothr]

Originally Posted by Lazyhead

I was one of those children.

lazyhead,

WOW. Was biogical mother included in the book?

[kathirynne]

There was an article on this topic in the most recent People magazine. (Or maybe it was time.)


Lazyhead -

[gentlebirthmothr]

Originally Posted by kathirynne

There was an article on this topic in the most recent People magazine. (Or maybe it was time.)


Lazyhead -

lazyhead,

Okay, I will do a search for that article.

[angelpie545]

That would be very interesting to read. I can't imagine living in a time where it was absolutey forbidden by society to have a child out of wedlock, or as a teenager. I was a teen mother, and there still is today a whole lot of stigma attached to it. I find it very disturbing how many women were forced to give up their babies for adoption when they really would have wanted to raise them, even as a single mom. My mother wanted me to give up both my daughters for adoption. The first time I was pregnant, I was only 17. She thought I wasn't capable of rasing a child, she cried, and was embarrased to tell people I was pregnant. Some people didn't even want me around their children. It was awful. I know if time had been turned back 50 years I basically wouldn't have had a choice to raise my daughter or not. I have never though I would be so glad that I am bull-headed and strong willed, and won't let anyone tell me what to do. If I hadn't been I'm not sure I would still be raising two vibrant, healthy, wonderful little girls. I wouldn't trade them for the world, or to have my youth. Nothing is more important than them. I think those stories need to be told, so we can remember what it was like then. That way society won't make the same mistakes.

[gentlebirthmothr]

Originally Posted by angelpie545

That would be very interesting to read. I can't imagine living in a time where it was absolutey forbidden by society to have a child out of wedlock, or as a teenager. I was a teen mother, and there still is today a whole lot of stigma attached to it. I find it very disturbing how many women were forced to give up their babies for adoption when they really would have wanted to raise them, even as a single mom. My mother wanted me to give up both my daughters for adoption. The first time I was pregnant, I was only 17. She thought I wasn't capable of rasing a child, she cried, and was embarrased to tell people I was pregnant. Some people didn't even want me around their children. It was awful. I know if time had been turned back 50 years I basically wouldn't have had a choice to raise my daughter or not. I have never though I would be so glad that I am bull-headed and strong willed, and won't let anyone tell me what to do. If I hadn't been I'm not sure I would still be raising two vibrant, healthy, wonderful little girls. I wouldn't trade them for the world, or to have my youth. Nothing is more important than them. I think those stories need to be told, so we can remember what it was like then. That way society won't make the same mistakes.

Bethany,

WOW what you went though when you had your daughters even though it was after Roe vs Wade. Ms. Fessler (author) did a interview with Salon on this book and I read it. I pretty liked it. I forgot what she talked about besides the book.

[Unoppressed MAMA Q]

this book has had my heart wide open for the two days i've been unable to put it down.

it just wasn't something i had given enough thought to. there was a baby surrendered in my family 38 years ago, and i think this will help that momma work out some feelings she's having.


ETA, i finished the book today, thank you OP for bringing it to my attention. i was essentially against adoption before the book, and am that much more so now.