[SchmennaLeigh]

Dateline was a repeat. (I work for NBC.) My question is this: why didn't they show an adoption that worked for all sides of the triad. We only hear the horror stories. You don't see families like mine on the television, explaining that even though certain issues are tough for all sides, things can work. Why is that? No one wants a happy story. They like to point fingers, judge and feel better about themselves in the end. I know this; I work for the media.

And yes, for children, adoption can be a wonderful experience. I have no doubt of that. At the same time, it's sad when an under-qualified couple sneaks through the system and ends up abusing, mentally or physically, a child that they've adopted either from birth or through the state system. Yet, at the same time, biological families abuse children as well. It comes back to realizing that there is no perfect way to raise a child: adoption, fostering, parenting, etc. As you've said, we're all flawed. I know that I am! Heck. But that doesn't mean I don't try to better myself on a daily basis: make better decisions, learn as much as I can about raising my Son to eat, learn and be healthy, etc. Why aren't we holding those who act either unethically or pretty darn poor in general to that standard? Yes, we can push for education but if they're not going to listen and continue to screw over adoptive parents, expectant parents, children, adoptees and firstparents.... where is the line that we should draw?

It's hard for me. I had a crappy hand dealt and thankfully made the best out of what could have been a very, very bad thing. Some first families aren't so lucky. Some adoptive families aren't so lucky. And the true sadness lies in the fact that some adoptees/children aren't so lucky either.

If the children are being hurt by unethical agencies/people/etc, shouldn't we be doing SOMETHING about it? Or should we just sit back and say, "Eh, people are flawed. It's okay."

I'm not necessarily arguing with you. This was a "Jenna is talking out loud" kind of post. I know there are no universal answers to solving the corruption that exists in all the different facets of adoption. But it just feels wrong to sit back and say, "Oh well, it's the way that it is."

And I need another cup of coffee.