Psychoanalytic Perspectives on Illegitimacy, Adoption and Reproduction Technology

In this book, Strangers as Kin, Prophecy Coles traces the existential history of the unwanted child with particular attention to the illegitimate child, linking myth, literature, and clinical practice in the historical and legal context of adoption.

Prophecy Coles is a retired psychotherapist. In all she has written she has been pursuing the idea that the relationships we have with those other than our parents can leave a lasting impression on the patterns of our adult life. Her publications include, The Importance of Sibling Relationships in Psychoanalysis, Sibling Relationships, The Uninvited Guest from the Unremembered Past, The Shadow of the Second Mother and Psychoanalytic and Psychotherapeutic Perspectives on Stepfamilies and Stepparenting.

Introduction 1. Some of the myths surrounding illegitimacy and adoption. 2. Bastardy 3. The prelude to the Adoption Act of 1926. 4. Birth mother, illegitimacy and adoption. 5. Fathers and their illegitimate sons and daughters. 6. Foster carers. 7. The adopted child. 8. Adopting parents today. 9. Reproductive adoption