The Girls Who Went Away
Encyclopedia
The Girls Who Went Away: The Hidden History of Women Who Surrendered Children for Adoption in the Decades Before Roe v. Wade is a 2006 book by Ann Fessler which describes and recounts the experiences of women in the United States
who relinquished babies for adoption
between 1950 and the Roe v. Wade
decision in 1973.
The book examines the pressures placed on the birth mother by family, adoption agencies, and society at large to give up the child for adoption, and the long-term psychological consequences for this event on her. It presents the birthmothers' often harsh accounts of life in the Florence Crittenton Homes
.
Finally, the book recounts reunion stories between mothers and adopted children and discusses the emotional effects of reunion for birth mothers.
In 2007, the book was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
who relinquished babies for adoption
Adoption
Adoption is a process whereby a person assumes the parenting for another and, in so doing, permanently transfers all rights and responsibilities from the original parent or parents...
between 1950 and the Roe v. Wade
Roe v. Wade
Roe v. Wade, , was a controversial landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court on the issue of abortion. The Court decided that a right to privacy under the due process clause in the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution extends to a woman's decision to have an abortion,...
decision in 1973.
The book examines the pressures placed on the birth mother by family, adoption agencies, and society at large to give up the child for adoption, and the long-term psychological consequences for this event on her. It presents the birthmothers' often harsh accounts of life in the Florence Crittenton Homes
National Florence Crittenton Mission
The National Florence Crittenton Mission was an organization established in 1883 by Charles N. Crittenton. It attempted to reform prostitutes and unwed pregnant women through the creation of establishments where they were to live and learn skills....
.
Finally, the book recounts reunion stories between mothers and adopted children and discusses the emotional effects of reunion for birth mothers.
In 2007, the book was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award
National Book Critics Circle Award
The National Book Critics Circle Award is an annual award given by the National Book Critics Circle to promote the finest books and reviews published in English....
.
Editions
- Hardcover, Penguin Press, 2006. ISBN 1594200947
- Paperback, Penguin Press, 2007. ISBN 0143038974
External links
- Book profile by Penguin Books
- Review of The Girls Who Went Away in the New York Times