Frank H. Wu
Certainly everyone who has the earlier book is likely to want this title as well. Although it will be of interest to researchers, who are otherwise not likely to find a single source of so much material, it also is accessible enough for general readers.
Richard Fischer
In Their Parents Voices is refreshingly honest, compelling, and the new best friend of the transracial adoption community. Simon and Roorda have opened the window of opportunity for us to review the past, reexamine the present, and through this volume, challenge us to change the future of how we address the sensitive issues and cultural connections vital to our children's positive self-image. In harmony with their ground-breaking title, In Their Own Voices, the circle of revelation chronicling the parent and transracial adoptee experience has been completed and represents a new paradigm in our understanding of transracial adoption issues. A must-read for everyone represented in the transracial adoption community and the professional adoption support network.
— Richard Fischer, publisher, Adoption TODAY and Fostering Families TODAY
W. Wilson Goode
This is a compelling book about our black and biracial men and women who were adopted by white parents. It is passionately told through the voices of their adoptive parents. This book's influence should move beyond racial and cultural boundaries and give more understanding into the phenomenon of transracial adoption. It calls for the partnership of families like these with black churches and African American mentors.
— W. Wilson Goode, Sr., former Mayor of Philadelphia and director of the Amachi Program
Hollee McGinnis
In Their Parents' Voices is a testament to the 'first generation' of parents who, despite a lack of guidance and support from agencies, were resourceful and got it mostly right for the children they adopted and loved across the color divide. It is an invaluable resource for parents today who have chosen to adopt transracially and provides indispensable 'insider' perspective and wisdom from those who have been there and survived the parenting trenches. All people-adopted or not-will appreciate the openness and honesty of these parents and will be inspired by their love and commitment to their kids.
— Hollee McGinnis, policy and operations director, Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute
Marguerite A. Wright
In Their Parents' Voices is a valuable contribution to the literature on transracial adoption. Rita J. Simon and Rhonda M. Roorda present longitudinal research seldom attempted in this field. Their study shows that a decade after their initial interviews with transracial adoptees, most have flourished despite developmental struggles with their racial identity and indeed have blossomed into confident and productive members of society. Revealing interviews with adoptees' parents offer rare glimpses into the vicissitudes and joys of raising these children. Overall, this book provides reassurance and hope that the transracially adopted child, with love, support, and grounding in his or her racial heritage, can be as psychologically healthy as any other child.
— Marguerite A. Wright, author of I'm Chocolate, You're Vanilla: Raising Healthy Black and Biracial Children in a Race-Conscious World
Randall Kennedy
Rita J. Simon and Rhonda M. Roorda are insightful students of transracial adoption to whom all that are interested in this complex subject are deeply indebted. In Their Parents' Voices is an important, unique, and fascinating resource.
— Randall Kennedy, Michael R. Klein professor of law, Harvard University
