The Children Money Can Buy: Stories from the Frontlines of Foster Care and Adoption

The Children Money Can Buy explores the dramatic societal changes in foster care and adoption, including open adoption, gay and lesbian adoption, unregulated adoption facilitators, and ethical concerns related to international adoption. It highlights the practice of "baby brokering" and the financial incentives that encourage birth mothers to relinquish their babies. Moody's personal stories illustrate larger life lessons about the way our society values parents and children and proposes solutions for improving the foster care and adoption systems.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 266 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2022
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

The Children Money Can Buy delves into a comprehensive exploration of the profound societal transformations that have occurred over decades in the realms of foster care and adoption. This captivating book encompasses a wide range of topics, including the oscillating dynamics regarding open adoption and the evolving perspectives towards birth parents, the gradual embrace of gay and lesbian adoption, the proliferation of unregulated adoption facilitators in the United States, ethical dilemmas associated with international adoption, and the undeniable influence of money in shaping the foster care and adoption systems.

Special emphasis is placed on the pervasive practice of "baby brokering," characterized by exorbitant finders fees and financial incentives that are offered to birth mothers, encouraging them to relinquish or feign plans to relinquish their babies. This pervasive phenomenon permeates much of the U.S. infant adoption landscape today.

Through the personal narratives and experiences shared by Moody in her years of working within the foster care and adoption systems, The Children Money Can Buy offers a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of these complex issues. These compelling stories shed light on the lives of real individuals and their journeys, providing valuable insights into the broader societal lessons surrounding the valuation of parents and children. They delve into the underlying ethical dilemmas that are not solely driven by financial considerations but also reflect the fundamental belief in some children being deemed more valuable than others within our society.

In conclusion, The Children Money Can Buy serves as a powerful testament to the transformative power of social change and the urgent need for reform within the foster care and adoption systems. Moody's book provides a thought-provoking and compassionate perspective, offering valuable insights and recommendations for a more inclusive and equitable approach to child welfare. By shedding light on the complexities and ethical challenges inherent in these systems, Moody encourages readers to advocate for positive change and work towards creating a brighter future for all children.

Weight: 358g
Dimension: 220 x 153 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538174234