Why do celebrities take more of an interest in helping children overseas than children in the United States?

Question

It seems that a lot of celebrities (most notably Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie) are always helping children overseas when we have hungry and sick children in the USA as well as children in need of adoption.

Answer 1

Excellent question!
What ever happened to "taking care of our own, first and foremost"?

Answer 2

Why does it bother you that some celebrities help children in other countries? Poor american children are still at a better advantage than those in third world countries. The bottom line is people like Angelina and Brad are helping children in need. Where the children are from shouldn't be an issue.

Answer 3

I've wondered this too. I will admit though, there are millions and millions and millions of sick, poor children in countries like africa, living in huts wearing only a rag, with no clean water, and flies all over them like cattle or something. You may have 25 people sleeping on mats or cots in a hut the size of a 3-person family home in the US. I have several friends who've done medical mission trips to africa and helped kids who otherwise wouldn't have known a doctor within 200 miles.

I used to feel just like you, thinking ok look we've got some poor children here that could be taken care of, why don't you care about that. (And I still do, we can't forget out own!!) But after seeing they're pictures and stories from Africa I was struck by the magnitude of poverty there, it really is much worse than most of the poorest regions of our country. Although poor american children (rural populations, inner city, etctera) are closer to my heart than those in africa, my eyes were opened and I was astounded.

All that said, I think that it's almost "fashionable" for the celebrities to do this, and probably helps them feel humbled or "grounded" (or at least appear to the outside world) while they live such a lavish livestyle.

I think there's room for all types of people to offer all types of service and love in the world, so regardless of their means or motivations, we shouldn't criticize those who serve the poor. We each should just give what we can when we can, and offer our service in whatever capacity we can to a cause that we deem worthwhile. Whether its inner-city harlem, rural appalachia, or an african village, go where your heart takes you.

Answer 4

That's a DAMN good question! I am so tired of hearing about these celebrities giving their money to all the kids in other countries. HELLO!? What about the country you live in and the people who helped make you who you are today? Just ticks me off. There shouldn't be all these homeless and hungry people here. And if they want to adopt they should adopt from their own country.

And if these celebs have $300,000 burning a hole in their pocket they could send it down south to help with the hurricane victims too.

Answer 5

I agree. I think it probably creates more publicity for them if they are traveling. Its pretty selfish and even stupid of them and others that do the same. there efforts and time and money should be spent where its made and that is certainly not in most foreign countries. Don't get me wrong I'm for helping those that need it, but American children are in need to and I'm a believer in helping our own first.

Answer 6

I think their good deeds over seas gets publisized more than over in the United States. Oprah helps a lot children and charities in the United States.

Answer 7

The same reason John Howard keeps sending billions and billions of dollars overseas when we have so many poor homeless and needy people here.
They just dont give a sh*t about whats happening at home.

Answer 8

Because a dollar goes alot further in a third world country than it does here. More food, medicines, supplies, etc. can be purchased overseas for a smaller amount of money.

Answer 9

Very good question!

In order to adopt in the U.S., prospective parents have to undergo an extensive background check. As we all know, most celebs could never pass a background check because of their drug, criminal, and psychological histories.

Third world countries are too happy to get rid of kids who will cost them too much to support, so they practically give them away to the highest bidders.

Answer 10

I think maybe they feel like those kids are worse off than the ones here in the U.S or at least they are portrayed as being worse off and by helping those kids they get more notoriety. I think they should help kids in their own country first. it's fine to help other countries but don't ignore the problem right under your nose.

Answer 11

I think it is due to the fact that the government in these other countries doesn't care....
Oh yeah, neither do the government officials here in the US.......
I applaud their efforts. Angelina has been an inspiration, I think that more multi-millionaire celebrities do the same...