[devildogwife]

I think people adopt internationally for different reasons. My parents recently adopted 2 teenagers from Ukraine. They were both almost 16 and almost ready to age out of their orphanage, with no support, no skills and little education. Orphans in their former country were treated horribly. They were spat on, beaten and the list goes on and on. Horrific things.

My parents just had a heart for children in Ukraine, and wanted to give 2 of them a family. We don't all build our families the same way. My parents adopted from Odessa Ukraine, my DH and I adopted from Iowa.

They followed every single rule required of them and were in Ukraine over 12 weeks (can't remember exactly). Like Brenda said, Madonna was skirting the rules and that's what I think a lot of people have a problem with, proudmommyof 2

Originally Posted by SoniaRose

Excuse me for butting in, but I'm a 55-year old adoptee who was browsing today's posts. I also happen to be a fan of the View. I admit I know very little about international adoption since I was adopted in a different era, but I'm afraid I would be guilty of echoing the sentiments of the ladies of the View: why adopt children from other countries when there are children here in the US that need homes? I can understand that many people want babies, and there are not many babies available in the US, but I had thought that older children were available...am I wrong?

Sorry if you think I'm stupid, but I probably think like most Americans who have no knowledge of adoption in today's world. It's not that they're anti-adoption; they just don't understand...

By the way, remember that Barbara Walters is an adoptive mother herself.