PEDIATRICS Vol. 47 No. 5 May 1971, pp. 948-949
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IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT IN ADOPTED CHILDREN

Richard B. Feiertag M.D., Ralph I. Fried M.D., Merrill A. Baratz M.D., Ethel G. Cermak M.D., William A. Daniel Jr. M.D., Josephine L. Earlywine M.D., Donald Lewis M.D., Henry M. Seidel M.D., Mary A. T. Tillman M.D., Henry H. Work M.D., Alice D. Chenoweth M.D., and Antonio Prado Vertiz M.D.

A recognition of the psychodynamics relating to the adopted child and his family will allow the pediatrician to prevent or modify destructive and harmful behavior. If adoptive families can be helped to understand the uniqueness of their relationship, much anxiety and doubt can be minimized avoided. Every opportunity must be used to develop in the child a sense of worth, importance, and dignity—a true sense of identity. If the pediatrician is aware of this and develops knowledge and expertise in the adoption field, he can contribute significantly in improving the adoptive process.