A Disturbing History of Closed Adoptions in America

A new book investigates a coercive system of adoption under which 3 million young mothers surrendered their babies for closed adoptions in the post-war years, and how it influenced today’s adoption practices and parenting norms. Journalist Gabrielle Glaser joins us to discuss her book, American Baby: A Mother, a Child, and the Shadow History of Adoption. We will also take calls from listeners who were affected by the coercive adoption system during the post-war baby boom.