My son and I were just watching 101 Dalmations and then I see this woman. Coincidence? I think not.

Reply

I have no experience with adoption. But I think international and US adoptions take way too long and cost way too much. We need more speedy procedings not these lengthy waiting periods.

I have suspicions that the "baby shopping" arguments are just a bunch of nationalist crap, Also racist crap; there are movements on many sides that fear a world of blended nationalities. I consider myself a fairly cynical person, but all the paranoia and doubt about the altrusistc or conversly ulterior motives of adoptive parents is overkill.

If someone has the means to grow thier family, why get in the way to such extent? We can do better. Sad.

Reply

Why didn't Madonna just give that poor father some money so he could raise the child himself? With all the orphans in the world, couldn't she have at least found an actual orphan? Madonna shopped for a child and found one and bought one. It's not race it's about wealth vs. desperation. It's really sad.

Reply

I recently adopted internationally from Africa, and I can assure you all that many of the concerns raised about Madonna's adoption are not from people opposed to adoption--quite the contrary! Each country in the world has its own rules and policies for international adoption. Some countries, like Ethiopia and China, have pretty straight-forward rules that many Americans have found accomodating (if expensive and tiring, but still straight-forward). In fact, in Africa, Ethiopia is often held up as a model of a good system. Once the children are identified as "orphans" (which, in the legal sense, does not always mean both parents are dead--after all, plenty of children in the US are adopted when both parents are alive and well), the Ethiopian courts work hard to process the cases quickly.

Some countries, like Kenya and Malawi, have long residency and foster requirements, which makes it harder, but not impossible, for transnational adoptive families.

One important element in adoption is that the rules must be consistent. If I have to wait 3 years, then everyone has to wait three years. There should be no exception for wealthy or powerful people.

When Angelina Jolie adopted from Ethiopia, and Meg Ryan from China, they followed the same rules and procedures as everyone. Their personal wealth may have made the whole process more affordable, but the rules did not change.

Any other American family wanting to adopt from Malawi would have to follow the rules that were "waived" for Madonna--that reeks of baby buying. These situations in other countries--where, for enough money, things happened more quickly--have shut down entire adoption programs, not because children don't need homes, but because child trafficking is a very serious charge.

No one should be exempt from the rules. While this little boy may be better off with a family than in an orphanage, in the long term, no one wins when the procedures aren't followed.

Reply

Exactly what I was thinking, Judy.

Reply

Judy and Amanda, when a white but poor family in the US places their healthy white infant for adoption, would you also suggest that the adopting parents should support the family instead of adopting the child?

Reply

Obviously, daisy, there is no clear cut answer to that and I'm not about to speak in board terms on such a complex subject. Yes, sometimes I would like to see better support for parents who are forced to give up their kids for adoption soley because they are unable to care for them after a parent passed away but with regard to my previous comment, I was only speaking on this specific situation. In this situation, there are concerns that the "father doesn't understand the fully understand the permanence of adoption".

It seems to me that in this situation, Madonna has not only bypassed all rules regarding adoption in this country, but she has selected a child whose biological father may not understand the adoption process (per family members).

If this were a situation in the US and a father was unable to care for a child after the mother passed away and had to put the child up for adoption without fully understanding the procees then yes, I would like to see the father supported. Perhaps the end result would be the same- the child adopted by someone who is able to provide a "better life"- but it would clear up some of the ick factor I glean from this particular situation.

Reply

Thank you Judy and Amanda.

And also about the white infant adoption in the US.. yes, in this day and age, money should not be a reason that a parent or parents should have to part with their child. Ever. The sad truth is that adoption in this country is a business. And as shown here, it is widely believed that if people have the means (money) to expand their family, then they should be able to do that... no matter the cost to others.

In this case... Madonna also is fully bypassing UK's adoption rules. It is just crazy.

No one is entitled to someone else's child -- it doesnt matter if they have more money.

Reply

Everyone should have to follow the same rules.

Celebrities......they don't have to follow the same laws here, why should they elsewhere? Ridiculous!

Reply

Madonna, this child has a father who appearently loves him and wants him. What gives you the right to decide that his life with his father is not good enough. If your so concerned, why not just help his family instead of tearing his family apart. Would you want someone taking your children from you, I believe not.
My hope is that someone gets involved in this matter, and reunites father and son.

Reply

I think before we emit an opinion we need to actually know the facts:
Malawi is the 3rd poorest country in the world.
One in four children die before the age of five.
The national health budget is 94 British pence (USD $1.6) per head per year.
Half of all children in Malawi are chronically malnourished.
40 children a day die from HIV / AIDS in Malawi.

Perhaps we should look at the greater sin. Children dying of malnutrition and disease or a rich lady going over people's heads to avoid red tape and painful bureaucracy. Daisy's comment is very insightful. Child trafficking is the greatest sin of them all, however, we're talking about a public figure here, not a narc or an obscure politician. I think we need to look at the big picture; Madonna is doing a good thing and is being shat upon for it. In this case, the end does justify the means.

Reply

Wally's Dad - Very funny.

Judy Goldberg - Amen sister.

Daisy - Gimme a break.

Blackster - No matter what living conditions, if the boys father wanted him Madonna should have kept on "shopping".

Reply