Another week -

down.

I met with my advisor today to turn in a preliminary schedule for next semester.  In addition to 15 hours, we will be in an agency from 8-5 two days a week. I hear it's a tough time!  I'm a bit nervous about the workload(I'm also a graduate assistant, so two jobs!), but I realize I'm not the first or the only one going through this.  I chose Adoption and Foster Care and Forensic Social Work as my two electives. Hopefully I'll be able to get them.

I'm interested to see the perspective the adoption class is taught from.  I'm hoping to research the other side of adoption in my research class, but I'm not having much luck. No one seems to be writing articles (I should say, peer reviewed) about adoption agency coercion, regrets about relinquishment, long term effects of adoption on birth parents, or why there isn't more emphasis on preserving natural families.  I'll keep on searching though...

I have a hard time explaining to people what I mean when I say I am interested in adoption. Of course, EVERYONE gushes and smiles and tells me they want to work in adoptions too or that it sounds so fun.  And I have to explain...no, that's not what I'm talking about. Then I fumble around with words like regrets, coercion, adoption not usually necessary, permanent solutions, etc...and most people just nod and walk away.  I feel like no one else is interested.  Are there even agencies that operate from a standpoint of empowering first mothers to parent?  I don't know...hopefully this adoption/foster professor will have some answers.

We had a guest speak who is the director of a mental health program at a large hospital today. I never thought I would be interested in working in this area, but after today I might look into that.