Sisson, Gretchen. Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood. 2024. 320p. St. Martin’s Press, $29.99 (9781250286772) Recommended for Adult Readers.
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or must-buy for the adoptee bookshelf) 5 stars!
Identities: relinquishing mothers
Gretchen Sisson is a sociologist whose career is dedicated to studying abortion and adoption. In her book, Sisson centers the stories of mothers from her decade-long research study of birth mothers who relinquished babies between 2000 and 2020. Sisson frames these interviews with data and extensive research, providing historical context and background on adoption in our country from enslavement, Orphan Trains, the Indian Adoption Project, how Roe v. Wade started with adoption, and so much more.
Resonant of The Girls Who Went Away, written by adoptee, Ann Fessler, Sisson ensures that the voices of women who relinquished matter. Chapters cover a progression from the historical background of domestic adoption in our country, the decision, and narratives around relinquishing mothers from adoptive agencies and the media to ten years later. The stories and the data are both heartbreaking and enraging, laying bare the oppression inherent in a system built to separate families. This book feels like a page-turner due to the shocking nature of its content. This book covers a wide range of issues related to the adoption vs. abortion “choice” and reveals that for many, relinquishment became what felt like the only option.
For those seeped in the narrative of “adoption is a happy solution” this will be a challenging, but necessary read. Sisson’s book expresses the urgency of the current state of reproductive rights in this country and is a timely read for those looking to understand the potential wide-scale impact of the Dobbs decision.
Perspectives (Windows & Mirrors): The dominant adoption narrative is constructed by adoptive parents. Throughout the book, Sisson examines power structures and their imbalances that work to serve the most privileged. Sisson has made a powerful shift by centering her research on relinquishing mothers. “The families made whole by adoption are more visible to us than the families separated by adoption.”
Practice (Educational Approach & Things to Consider): Written for adult readers this book is an essential read for those working in fields related to reproductive rights. One of my biggest takeaways from this book was learning more about the guise of “open adoptions”. I hope that more adoptive families, adoptive agencies, and legislators will read this book to make informed decisions that can create changes for what adoption could look like if it truly is for the benefit of the child and all people involved.
Thank you to Gretchen for sharing a copy of her book!
The Adoptee Bookshelf 