Jean Paton and the Struggle to Reform: American Adoption

Jean Paton (1908-2002) fought tirelessly to reform American adoptionand to overcome prejudice against adult adoptees and women whogive birth out of wedlock. Paton wrote widely and passionately aboutthe adoption experience, corresponded with policymakers as well asindividual adoptees, promoted the psychological well-being of adoptees,and facilitated reunions between adoptees and their birth parents.This masterful biography brings to light the accomplishments of thisneglected civil-rights pioneer, who paved the way for the explosiveemergence of the adoption reform movement in the 1970s. Her unflaggingefforts over five decades helped reverse harmful policies, practices, andlaws concerning adoption and closed records, struggles that continue tothis day.