[Quesita]

Wow.

I find this article very confusing. I kept reading to find out what offensive/culturally insensitive things the parents are doing, and other than "being in public," I found no information.

Travel is very important to me, and the gift of travel is something that I know I will offer my beautiful daughter, and in the event that I adopt a second child, I will offer her that gift as well. I've lived and worked in Latin America, and I'd spent a lot of time in Guatemala in the two decades before I adopted my first daughter from there. I know we will return to Guatemala every few years. We will also frequently visit other parts of Latin America.

When I think about the possibility of adopting a child from Ethiopia, one of my biggest concerns is that I know much less about the culture of the region than I do about the culture of Guatemala and other parts of Latin America. And as I think of bringing a child from sub-Sahara Africa into my home and my life, I imagine myself learning more about the region, and incorporating travel to the region into my family's life. I imagine future trips with both of my children, trips which include hotels and museums and restaurants and visits to rural ares and safaris. Perhaps, as the children grow older, I imagine volunteer work at schools or hospitals or orphanages as part of our "vacation."

Now, if I am told that some people in a region might be offended if I dress my child a certain way... or even if I dress myself a certain way, then I will not dress that way. I've traveled in many regions in which I wear long skirts rather than pants or shorts, out of respect for local customs. That is fine. If it is considered rude to walk down the street eating, in an area where many people don't have food, then I will be careful not to allow my children to eat in public unless I am prepared to share that food with everyone in sight. If I am told that it is rude to start a conversation with someone unless I have given a specific greeting or blessing, then I will learn that greeting or blessing.

Am I to understand that if I adopt a child from Ethiopia, I am forever banned from returning and sharing the sights and sounds and nuances of my child's birthplace with her and her sister? How would I explain that one child's country of origin is a place that we love and honor and respect and visit, while the other child's country of origin is a place we avoid?

If I am told that it is offensive for my family to exist, it is I who will take offense.