[Queenie312]

Is anyone else upset about this? This is a subject that has bothered me for some time. I absolutely hate when there is a story about a celebrity on TV or in a magazine and they constantly have to point out, for example, "Sharon Stone and her adopted son...." or "Hugh Jackman and his adopted son....". In a recent article regarding the announcement that Tori Spelling was pregnant they mentioned that her husband was already the father of an 8 year old boy and a 1 year old adopted girl. I think whether a child comes to you biologically or through adoption that child is your child. I don't have a problem with them announcing that someone has adopted a child but after that they should be referred to as their son or daughter, not forever be labeled their "adopted" son or daughter. Am I supposed to feel less my parents child because I was adopted? I admit I've struggled with many issues throughout my life relating to my adoption and things like this in the media, etc., only make those feelings worse. If they are constantly going to make this distinction then why not say his biological son and his adopted daughter. I would like to hear what anyone else thinks of this subject.

[ajjhmf]

As a mom, I personally hate it. I do have both biological and adopted children, but I only make that distinction here, for information and discussion purposes if it's necessary. My kids are my kids, no matter how they joined the family.

Out in the world, they are just my kids, so when I here the media make distinctions like that, it makes me very sad for the child and very angry for the parents.

Thank you for bringing this up from an adoptees perspective. I never reallythough about how stuff like that would affect my son. He doesn't see stuff like that yet as 7yos rarely watch the news, but I know I will be thinking on how to address the medias ignorance with him in the future.

Blessings,
Jenny

[Sniffles]

I have to say it bugs me a lot. I am 32 years old and if I am out somewhere at a function, I still get introduced as so and so's adopted daughter. HELLO! That is my Dad and Mom. I don't go introducing them as my adoptive parents. Why do people do it to us then? I am sorry but to me children and children and there should be no difference.

[InionGrinn]

Can't stand it.

The worst is when you see it in an obituary or a news article about someone who has died.

"He is survived by a son and an adopted daughter".

Was that adopted daughter somehow less of a child to her parent???? I know I am as much of a daughter to my parents as ANY biological child.

[cnb1099]

It is a sad thing that this is how the outside world is going to continue to "label" us as adoptees. And the media uses it like it is a title like fiancee or wife...but we are their child they are the parents.. They do the same thing with Nicole Kidman and CONSTANTLY refer to the two children as the "adopted" children of Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. One child is whie and the other I believe is African American...I am pretty sure that any person with half a brain could have distinguished that they are not their "natural" (another ugly term) children!

Great thread!

[Queenie312]

That is another term I hate. Their "natural" child. Is that to imply that I am unnatural?? I am sure we have all heard people say to us something about our "real" parents. My Mom and Dad were my real parents. I politely point out that I prefer the term biological Mother or Father. People don't realize how they view adoption and the media continues to perpetuate these negative views by constantly making these distinctions.

[Lynn226]

During an interview with Larry King, Marie Osmond was asked to identify which of her children were adopted and which were biological. She refused to do so. I don't remember her exact words, but she basically said that all of her children are equal in her eyes.

Have any adoptees who have been introduced as the adopted child of so and so, ever considered turning the tables? For example, "This is my friend, John, who was delivered vaginally after 16 hours of labor."

Thanks to all of the adoptees who shared their opinions.

[Sniffles]

Originally Posted by Lynn226

Have any adoptees who have been introduced as the adopted child of so and so, ever considered turning the tables? For example, "This is my friend, John, who was delivered vaginally after 16 hours of labor."

ROFL I love that!

[cnb1099]

I like that....or how about "This is my brother Joe, fruit of my mothers loins, and I am Jill fruit of another womans loins?"

[Queenie312]

"This is my friend, John, who was delivered vaginally after 16 hours of labor."

"I like that....or how about "This is my brother Joe, fruit of my mothers loins, and I am Jill fruit of another womans loins?""


OMG That is hysterical!!!!! Thanks for the good laugh!!

[Poleczech]

I hope you don't mind my chiming in, but I just wanted to say that I agree with you all 100%. I don't introduce my son as my adopted son, he is my son. Just like I am his "real" mother (as opposed to a fake one??)

I love my son, and the fact that he came into our family by adoption is not of consequence in routine conversation. DH's and my parents and siblings don't refer to him as being adopted either. They simply say this is my grandson or nephew.

Thank you for starting this thread, and thank you for letting me pop in.

[healingfeeling]

last night i saw a cage fight (yes ladies, i watch Ultimate Fighting) and one of the fighters was adopted. They said "we had the pleasure of speaking with Ken Shamrock's adoptive father Bob Shamrock before the fight" then they said "this man has overcome adversity: Adopted, living in a boys home, making his way up the ladder in the ultimate fighting championship".

honestly i found it interesting that he was adopted....

[Alli_Driscoll]

I think we tend to want the best of both worlds. We don't want to be labeled by always having it pointed out that we're adopted. On the other hand, if nobody ever said those things, there would be no adoption awareness. I'm not saying it's right or wrong. I don't know what it's like to be labeled like that. In my family, I was forbid to discuss the whole adoption thing. I do think that to have the awareness that we all want, we'll have to suffer with some labeling.

[whitsunday15]

I have to agree with Alli. Personally, I like hearing who is adopted. That way I have someone to relate to. As far as the media labelling celebrities children as adopted, I think it has more to do with (I hate to say this but..) publicity. Also, if the child was not "labelled", there would be idiots out there going, "When did she have a baby? I don't remember her being pregnant. What is going on? Where did that child really come from?" I think by just saying that the child is adopted, it eliminates questions that no doubt would come creeping up on that person.

[cnb1099]

You are right Alli, I really do want it both ways...double edged sword. For me I guess I do not like it when they make it sound like being adopted was like having lepracy...like it is a bad thing. In some cases I am sure it was but not all.

Whit- I agree with you...I think a lot of it is a publicity thing for celebs...not that they love the child less..look at Angelina Jolie...but it also definately draws the public eye.