Children's Attitudes Toward Adoption in the Marshall Islands

Bauer, Gordon B.; Dubanoski, Richard A.; Yamauchi, Lois A.; Gideon, Raynard; Bennet, Jerry (1992). "Children's Attitudes Toward Adoption in the Marshall Islands". ISLA: A Journal of Micronesian Studies. 1 (1): 113–124. ISSN 1054-9390.

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Abstract: he paper “Children’s Attitudes Toward Adoption in the Marshall Islands” addresses several interconnected themes central to understanding the historical and cultural narratives in the Pacific region. Key themes include the contrast between oral and written history, with a focus on how these narratives are treated and transformed into published accounts, such as the work by Hanlon on Pohnpeian oral history. The volume also touches on the insider versus outsider roles in reconstructing history and the influence of colonial and postcolonial dynamics.

The book by Luelen Bernart, mentioned in the context, serves as a significant example of vernacular history, using oral traditions to recount the past of the Pohnpeian people. This history challenges conventional Eurocentric historiographies by emphasizing a sequential rather than chronological narrative . The text reflects on broader historical implications, highlighting how postwar academic and political trends have shaped historical discourse in the region.

Furthermore, the text speculates on the future of the Marshall Islands upon the conclusion of its Compact of Free Association with the United States in 2001, indicating significant socio-political considerations. Critically, the book is viewed not just as a historical account but as a “reminder” of the past, reflecting the evolving nature of historical narrative and memory in Pohnpei.