Exploring Adoptive Family Life: The Collected Adoption Papers of H. David Kirk

Published in honor of David Kirk's 70th birthday, this collection of many of his path-breaking essays serves as a record of a long journey of courageous exploration. Few social scientists have so persistently investigated a single facet of human life. Even fewer have presented complex ideas and important findings in so clear, engaging and readily understandable a language. Topics include: adoption of minority children, a preference for girls, adoption and child development, adopted children and stress, and the legal application of the "best interest of the child." Kirk's original research instruments for the Shared Fate studies are included for the use of students and researchers.

H. David Kirk studied at Cornell University where he received his Ph.D. and where he laid the groundwork for his adoption research. In Canada he taught at McGill and the University of Waterloo. He has lectured and given workshops in Canada, the USA, Britain, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Italy, Greece and Israel. He is the recipient of awards from the Adoption Council of Canada, the North American Council on Adoptable Children and the Adoptive Families of America.