Why do celebrities always want to help other countries' children instead of our own country's?

Question

I think it's awesome what they are doing... but why are they so focused on Africa, or China... when there are home grown babies that are in need of the same help? Just curious...
With all the money Madonna just spent on her little mission over there, she probably could have helped dozens of families adopt children. I am not against helping other countries, it is wonderful, but what about the US?

Answer 1

Because they wana be in the news and earn reputation. Look at Angelina Jolie. Telling others how to behave with refugees children. One of the local gave her a shut up call and said why dont you take a few million children from Afghanistan to US if you are so concerned. I think they are doing a good thing but without brain. sorry for that.

Answer 2

embedded in this question another waits. Are these celebrity moms going overseas for the same reason many upper middle class women living around DC, some of whom I know, are going overseas - to get infants?

If so, it's not about nationalism - really, nationalism is so meaningless - why complain which child is being helped? growing up in foster care in america is probably gonna hurt a helluva lot less than growing up in an orphanage in zambia anyway, don't you think? - but about the desire to raise a child from birth or nearly so. This is just a fact of life.

An argument could also fairly easily be made that the U.S.'s history, along with many european power's histories, of colonialism and exploitation of the 'third world's' people and resources that has so devastated Africa and South America (and this continent's indigenous peoples) that it might make more sense to ask - why are you giving a second pair of shoes to this boy when this boy over here has no feet?
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Today, I was in the county govt building paying our car tax and the lobby was filled with billboards of little boys 5 - 12 years old, with text under their precious faces saying "Billy really wants a mommy and daddy." "Jamal would be a helpful and happy addition to a family, which he longs to be."

I'd like to see some celebrity talking about adopting these children. My husband and kids don't want to expand our family, and so I can't test out the depth of my altruistic urges.

Answer 3

Celebrities do it for a number of reasons. Some do it because of the wonderful image that is portrayed. A good deal of them do it because of the fact that the Need-Factor across the globe is far greater than the Need-Factor in America. Simply because we live in America doesn't mean that our lives are worth more than anyone elses'. Simply because others live in "third world" countries does not make them any less human. Doctor's treat the most infected areas. When your house is a mess, you clean up the big stuff first. As far as what is imperative, the situations in Africa, Darfur and China are far more critical. But again, while the situations themselves may be more critical, the people aren't any MORE or LESS important. The question to ask is why isn't there more adequate housing, job training, and development centers in the self-proclaimed "greatest country?" People complain constantly about the "welfare state." Stating that homeless drug addicts get welfare checks but don't contribute to the economy. That's because the welfare system is bollocks. You can't give a person without a home or skills a check and expect them to get back on their feet. You can't expect a drug addict (key word: ADDICT) NOT to spend is money on the next fix. So do we leave these people on the streets to rot? There are two forms of aid: relief and development. Relief is temporary. Give a hungry man a fish, and he'll be full for a day. Development is permanent. Teach a hungry man to fish and he'll never be hungry again. So, in conjunction with providing our impoverished with food, we should provide temporary shelter, food, and job training. A network of internships for those who go through training to be able to apply for. That way they can get on their feet and on with their lives. The real question is why we're spending billions on a war that is only INCREASING terrorist action rather than spending it on our disadvantaged?

Answer 4

I feel one of the reasons is that the U.S. has so many regulations on helping children. Try to adopt a child in the U.S. and you will probably be facing a law suit in a few years from the original mom to get that baby back. Get a baby from China and you are free and clear in just a little over a year. No parents banging on your door to get little kiddie back. The U.S. has plenty of programs to help the children in this country also. Most parents do NOT take advantage of them. They expect people to come knocking on their doors handing them money, when all it takes is a little leg work to make programs work. In other countries, there are no programs like here in the good ol' U.S. of A. Celebrities with money do good things for children overseas because there is NO ONE TO DO GOOD THINGS FOR THEM THERE. People who help people in the U.S. are setting themselves up for potential lawsuits. It's unfortunate, but because people in the U.S. have the ability to be "sue happy", people with fame and money are not willing to do good here...and I don't blame them.

Answer 5

I think it's because the US poor people are not to many, compare with Africa & China. But I think that they should contribute more in other countries, not only China & Africa.

Answer 6

the reality is that the poor in our country live like royalty compared to the poor in other countries and if you are that concerned about our kids then please join those of us who volunteer and help with best friends the scouts or other kids programs. We need more everyday hero's.
( i am a volunteer girl scout leader among other things, and want to see more people help kids and stop complaining about the way the rich volunteer)

Answer 7

i agree i,m all for helping otherr countries just as you are , but cant they open there eyes and see these poor children right here in front of them.there are little children in the usa that need medical attention, food and clothing and the parent cant afford to help them. i think its very sad.

Answer 8

because it makes them look like better people. adopting and helping children of different race and from poorer communities in different countries and bringing them to "great america" makes them look better.

Answer 9

Because it looks cute and their agents tell them to do it. Most of these people barely have a mind of their own.

Answer 10

Fashion statement.