[arugula]

Hello all,

I am an adult adoptee and a doctoral student in sociology. My current research is examining the experiences of adult adoptees in the process of search and reunion, from a social rather than the usual psychological point of view. I am particularly interested in adoptee motivations to search, others' reactions to the process, methods and difficulties involved in searching, and making contact with birth family members if applicable. I wish to conduct face-to-face interviews, so I am looking to speak with people currently living in or around Wayne and Summit counties in Ohio regardless of where the adoption took place. (Ultimately, my dissertation research will involve adoptees and birthparents from any location, but for the moment I'm limited by geography).

If you are a searching or already reunited adult adoptee in this area and are willing to share your search experiences, please contact me at ama13@uakron.edu (please put "adoptee" somewhere in the subject line). All interview data will be completely voluntary and kept strictly confidential. This research has been approved by the university's Institutional Research Board, and all participants will receive confidentiality statements and informed consent forms. I anticipate the interviews will take roughly an hour or two and can be conducted at the university campus or any other convenient place where you feel comfortable. Unfortunately, I don't have the research budget to pay my participants, but I would be happy to spring for a cup of coffee/tea for anyone willing to talk to me. Thank you for your time. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Contact information for my faculty adviser will also be provided on request.

And best of luck to those of you who, like me, are still searching. I cannot offer search assistance, but I do offer my best wishes that you find what you are seeking.