Thicker Than Blood: Bonds of Fantasy and Reality in Adoption: Margaret S. Mahler

This book presents an unflinching look at the joys and the heartaches, the benefits and the problems of adoption. Written from the vantage point of separation-individuation theory, and rich in clinical material, it focuses primarily on the complexities of bonding in adoptive dyads, but touches also on such critical matters as transracial adoptions, cultural issues, intrauterine and genetic factors, intervention strategies, the possible negative impact of many well-intentioned government-based regulations, and the value of psychoanalytic treatment as a remedial tool in select cases. The authors speak from broad clinical and personal experience with adoption. Anyone who works within the adoption field will find much in this book that is illuminating thought provoking, and helpful.
Thicker Than Blood: Bonds of Fantasy and Reality in Adoption fills a crucial need in a society with increasing numbers of adoptions, especially interracial and transcultural ones. By exploring the important issues of attachment and separation-individuation, this book furthers the understanding of the complexity of intrapsychic and interpersonal issues as they emerge in adoptive families. Poignant clinical material helps parents and professionals alike to become more aware of the many facets of adoption and to develop empathy for developmental processes as they are influenced by the circumstances of each adoptive family. The rich variety of material presented by this group of clinicians and researchers helps us avoid the trap of making easy generalizations. Their papers challenge us to think further about the important questions of belonging, difference, identification, and identity formation.
This volume brings the literature up to date in the ever-changing world of adoption. Current issues in cross-cultural and interracial adoption, attachment and separation, and biological research are thoroughly discussed. The firm grounding of these discussions in the principles of emotional development makes this book a welcome and valuable resource that will appeal to all those who are interested in issues surrounding adoption.