[spitzlvr]

Must be nice - rules only apply to everyone else...

Malawian claims Madonna adopted his son - Celebrity News - MSNBC.com

[joskids]

Rules applying to SOME (mostly those without money and notariety) are what's wrong with this society. Shouldn't be a surprise!

[lisa in venice]

Ok I understand the unfairnes of it but were either of you itchin' to adopt a child from Malawi? I can think of several ery good African programs with many thousands of waiting chidlren. BTW I know several people who have lived in and adopted chidlren in countries that don't ordinarily allow foreign adoptions. Most have been aid workers so clearly they did not have money or noteriety.

lisa

[Fran27]

I think she denied having adopted afterwards... She just didn't care that much about the rumor because at least it turned people's attention to the orphanages other there. At least it's what I read somewhere...

[tyiakoum]

One of our really great friends is an NSA agent. He now lives in S Africa and loves it. But then he got transferred to ANGOLA. He says it is so corrupt and dangerous... and it is so beautiful and the people (the "regular" people, not the government/military) are just wonderful.

It really upsets me to see how film stars, politicians and famous people easily adopt, no matter how they choose to pursue it (like Sharon Stone, w/her three domestic infant boy adoptions, and Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman w/their two kids).

I wish someone famous would adopt an older child from foster care in the US and make it fashionable. That would be fantastic ... because there are so many children deserving of homes that are waiting. I know Stephen Spielburg did, I think, twice, but has been reallly low key about it.

[spitzlvr]

Lisa,

I guess my issue with it is two fold. On one hand I hate the fact that people with money think the usual rules are not for them. That just annoys me.

On the other hand, being an adoptee, I am disgusted by the mental image this brings to my mind - orphanges running around to find a selection of their 'best' children, then putting them all together for her to choose from, as tho it is a sale.

Perhaps this is the way some places do it on a regular basis, I don't know. But I don't like it. Children are not...possessions. I chose a new pocketbook because I like the look, I don't choose a child because he is the cutest in the room.

sigh.

Perhaps this has hit a nerve.

[dawnrenee58]

Just an FYI...
MSN - News - Madonna Files Adoption Papers in Malawi

It specifically says in the article that she followed all the proper channels. I don't see why anyone should be angry about this. I think it has just raised public awareness of another country with many orphaned children who needs homes. I, for one, had no idea that Malawi allwoed international adoptions. But, I would venture to guess that many people will be researching it now. And that is the important part. Raising awareness.

[mom2justynsarah]

Originally Posted by spitzlvr

Lisa,

I guess my issue with it is two fold. On one hand I hate the fact that people with money think the usual rules are not for them. That just annoys me.

On the other hand, being an adoptee, I am disgusted by the mental image this brings to my mind - orphanges running around to find a selection of their 'best' children, then putting them all together for her to choose from, as tho it is a sale.

Perhaps this is the way some places do it on a regular basis, I don't know. But I don't like it. Children are not...possessions. I chose a new pocketbook because I like the look, I don't choose a child because he is the cutest in the room.

sigh.

Perhaps this has hit a nerve.

There are some countries where you can choose whether you prefer a boy or girl. In some countries there are far more boys than girls (and vice versa).

But you can't choose the "cutest." There is no such thing like that. Based on the adoptive parent's profile, you are presented with a video, a picture, and or medical information (if available) regarding the child. You can't say "oh I want a cuter baby."

However you do have the ability based upon the child's medical condition whether or not you are willing to parent him/her.

[lisa in venice]

Originally Posted by dawnrenee58

Just an FYI...
MSN - News - Madonna Files Adoption Papers in Malawi

It specifically says in the article that she followed all the proper channels. I don't see why anyone should be angry about this. I think it has just raised public awareness of another country with many orphaned children who needs homes. I, for one, had no idea that Malawi allwoed international adoptions. But, I would venture to guess that many people will be researching it now. And that is the important part. Raising awareness.

I think you assume she went into the country and boarted a child because she could. Prestige buys influence and who amoung us has not tried to use the ilttle bit of influence we have in our lives or even in this process. She has more. As for choosing a child I know that many countries allow you to choose and I am suspicious of which children governements allow to be adopted. For instance I have many Chinese friends, SOme quite beautiful and some plainer. I have yet to see and unattractive little girl adopted from China. I can't believe that as a people he Chinese are so uniformly attractive. I kinda makes me say "hmmmmm?".

Even in domestic adoption people make choices aout what their child will look like when the specify race to the enth detail ie Full CC with preferences for certain ethnicities. Heck people choose their life partners based on what the look like and what kinds of babies they will make. People are shallow, what is new about that. Why is it that celebraties who spend their lives as our entertainment (how shallow are we on that one?) aren't allowed to be as human as the rest of us are?

Now I am not a big Madonna fan and I have some SERIOUS issues with many common practices in inernational adoption but Madonna didn't create those issues, she did not create the situations in those countries that caused those children to living in those conditions but she is trying to do something about it on a large scale AND very personally. YEah she got some governmental favors and that is not fair, is it fair that we eat everyday and don live in fear? Nope, there is a lot of unfairness in the world and I can't get upset about someone who is spending a great deal of money and time trying to help in a situations that is patently unfair for using some of the same influence that will help thousands of kids for her own personal benefit.

lisa

[Oliver1]

I see nothing wrong with her adopting, and it sounds like she had to go through the process. I think it's unfair to assume just because someone is famous and rich that their adoption journey was a breeze.

Also, I believe Mia Farrow foster-adopted several children. But regardless, no one should adopt just to make it "fashionable" or make some sort of public statement or awareness. Just like children aren't merchandise to be selected and bought, they also are not public awareness tools.

[ilovetwotalk]

Movie stars and singers have to go through the same process as regular people do. My aunt happens to own an adoption agency and she said they have to have a home study and back ground check and fiance checks.

[BrandyHagz]

Oh look! Julie found us again

[WhoKnew]

I think that if Madonna adopted a child in need, that is a wonderful thing. But I have to wonder if, with her vast wealth, she considered another option. What is she had helped the father financially so he could raise his child, and she adopted another child who has no living parents? Just a thought.

[sadiegirl]

Originally Posted by dawnrenee58

Just an FYI...
MSN - News - Madonna Files Adoption Papers in Malawi

It specifically says in the article that she followed all the proper channels. I don't see why anyone should be angry about this. I think it has just raised public awareness of another country with many orphaned children who needs homes. I, for one, had no idea that Malawi allwoed international adoptions. But, I would venture to guess that many people will be researching it now. And that is the important part. Raising awareness.

No, she specifically did NOT. Adopting a child from Malawi requires fostering the child for 18-24 months IN THE COUNTRY. Ummm, don't believe she's moved there.

I just read today that officials are letting him live with them for the 18 mos and then they will "evaluate" them again.

I don't think anyone has an issue with her adopting a needy child. I do think people (myself included) have issues about the way the process was done. The laws were circumvented for her.

Just another example of how celebs don't live in the real word, sigh.

[shy_bear]

I thought I saw on the news, which by the way can't believe it was EVEN on the news, that only residents are allowed to adopt in that country. I might be wrong, but I do think money buys you priviliges. With ALL the children in the world why this little boy. Why not do something to help his dad keep him since money is the only thing standing in their way.