Sociology of Adoption

Book Details:

• Author: Elfreeda Momin

• Publisher: Rawat Publications

• Language: English

• Edition: 2008

• ISBN: 8131601374

• Pages: 235

• Cover: Hardcover

• Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.7 x 0.8 inches

About the Book:

Adoption refers to the establishment of a socially constructed and legally recognized parent-child relationship between individuals who do not share a biological connection. While adoption has been a universal custom across the world for centuries, cultural norms and practices related to it vary greatly from one society to another.

In Western countries, adoption has been extensively studied and documented. However, in India, systematic, comprehensive, and empirical studies on adoption have been lacking. Much of the existing literature on adoption remains fragmentary and incomplete. This book aims to fill that gap by offering the first full-length, empirical sociological study of adoption in India, with a special focus on Mumbai.

The book presents adoption as a dynamic and processual phenomenon, examining the complexities, challenges, and issues that arise before, during, and after the adoption process. It highlights the significant emotional investment required from both adoptive parents and adoptee children, addressing the psychological and social issues related to coping and adjustment. The study covers the social, familial, and psychological challenges that adoptive parents face at each stage of the adoption process, and also looks at the post-adoption services and counseling offered by adoption agencies and NGOs.

This book is designed to be useful to adoptive parents, adoption agencies, NGOs, social workers, and counselors, offering a comprehensive guide to understanding the adoption process and its multifaceted challenges.

About the Author:

Elfreeda Momin completed her higher education at the University of Mumbai, where she obtained both her Masters and PhD degrees in Sociology. With over three decades of teaching experience, she retired as the Head of the Department of Sociology at Elphinstone College in November 2006. Throughout her career, she has participated in several seminars, workshops, and conferences, contributing significantly to the field of sociology.