The Face in the Mirror: Teens and Adoption

Patricia Fenton is chair of the Adoption Council of Ontario.

The author, a mother of two adopted sons in British Columbia, has
written a book that reflects her keen interest to learn from teens what
being adopted means to them. Her interviews with some 50 adopted teens,
as well as birth parents and other members of the adoption community in
Western Canada, revealed a number of common themes—feelings of loss, a
need to learn about the past, fears of rejection, worries about hurting
the adoptive families, and negative views of social workers and the
adoption system. Of particular importance is the chapter entitled “The
Significance of Adoption,” which discusses how adoption issues become
intertwined in an adoptee’s life. There are a few inaccuracies about
adoption procedures and legislation that may mislead the unsuspecting
reader. Nevertheless, The Face in the Mirror is a welcome resource that
is sure to strike a chord with adopted teens and their parents.