What Do You Think About Celebrity Adoptions?

Question

There seems to be a trend at the moment for celebrities to adopt third world babies. Mia Farrow began the trend then we had Angelina and more recently Madonna. When we have thousands of babies and children languishing in orphanages here on our doorstep, why adopt and American or British child. There are plenty of them in need of love and a good home. Wuld it not be better if there were to donate a portion of their fortune into the impoverished communities of those children. Pay for a hospital. Purchase lots of antiretroviral drugs to treat HIV victims. Set up a co-operative to train and give skills which will enable those communities to gain employment and lift them out of poverty and despair. Install water pumps so that they do not have to walk miles each day for clean water. All of this would not cost a lot to those wealthy celebrities but wuld radically enhance the lives of impoverished Africans. In a thriving community there would be no need for a child to be removed.

Answer 1

I am totally for adoptions. But why on earth do we have to go outside our own country to do it? I realize that it is expensive here in the states, but isn't it worth it to help our own? I don't wanna sound like i'm all racist and stuff cause i'm not, but why if we are the wealthiest nation in the world, do we have so many homeless people and people who fall under the poverty line? I know that we have to show ourselves as being a nation for everyone and have to go and help other nations, but why can't we start the help here at home? And does it really matter who does the adopting? The agencies don't do that great a job or else we would have foster kids that get beaten or killed by so-called "great parents." We have to understand that to help others, we also have to help ourselves. And does donating money to a country really help anyone that actually needs it? Or does the money get tied up in legalities that keeps it from being used? Job corps has been around for a long time and I hate to say it, but have they really been able to do all that much help for nations that need it? HIV sucks, no one wants it, but we need to help the ones that have it and the best way to do that is teaching them how its spread and how to take care of yourself and the ones around you. I truly think that what Angelina has done, has been from the goodness of her heart. As for Madonna, I just hope and pray that it was also from the goodness of her heart as well. And please the next time a celebrity decides to adopt, please do as countless others have, don't make such a big show of it. That just isn't right, not for the child or for the country that said child comes from.

Answer 2

Adoption is a wonderful thing for a child if your heart is in the right place. I can't help but wonder, though, if the children will actually be raised by the celebrity adopting them, or if they will be raised by the nanny.

Personally, I think it's a publicity stunt. They seem to be saying, "Look at me and how wonderful I am. I'm rescuing this poor little third world baby." But if they are really in it for the sake of the children, what about all the children right here at home that need homes?

It's a noble thing to help someone in need ... but we need to take care of home first before we go out and take care of someone else. That's something I think the USA as a whole needs to figure out.

Answer 3

I think alot of it is for show. I believe it is our responsiblity to take care of the kids here in the states first. I have taught school for a long time and there are so many children in Foster Homes and who need help here. What about the homeless kids? Some families in the cities have to split up because the shelters are gender seperated. The men do not stay with the women and children due to safety reasons. So the family is split up. It is so sad. Why doesn't Jolie or Madonna help out these families???
I understand the great need in other countries.....but we should take care of our own first. That would be like me not feeding my own child but bringing my neighbor's children breakfast.

Answer 4

I think adoption is awesome. It allows parents to expand their family, or sometimes even start their family, and also gives a child, who otherwise may not, have a bright future. I understand that international adoptions are "closed" which is why so many people do so (I have friends that adopted from China). Donations are "gifts" to the orphanage to assist with costs, which is given by all who adopt - celebrities just have more to give. However, I do not think that celebrities should be seen as martyrs for doing so, nor should they get so much publicity. Adopting a child is a personal family matter, and everyone who adopts is a hero, celebrity or not.

Answer 5

If they are doing it because they truly want a child, and wanting to help a child is not enough, you can help a child by giving him clothes to wear, a trust for a college education etc., if celebtrities are adopting because they want a child then it's great. If they are doing it because it's trendy, then they should burn...ok, maybe that was a little harsh, but shame on them. Mia Farrow and Angelina Jolie did it because they wanted children, I am suspect of Madonna's reason. I mean the former adopted true orphans while the latter's adoptee has a living parent he was living with. This tells me that she actually paid (bought) this child.

Answer 6

It's apparently the "in" thing to do. Interestingly enough, my husband and I can't adopt because of my health history (that includes overseas adoptions and "special needs" children-I had cancer), but apparently as long as you have an unlimitless amount of money, you can, plus avoid all the red tape that the average couple has to deal with. Interesting............. Apparently celebrities past history doesn't matter either (nor their marital status or health history, for that matter). Why not help in a larger way? Build clinics, supply medical care, teach them how to support themselves by farming and raising animals, etc........ What a bunch of spoiled, selfish, scumbags! And I'm sure they are very "hands on" with these children-right after all of the hired help! Plus, most of these children have living family-they aren't adopted, they're "purchased", like a new Prada bag!!!!!

Answer 7

Celebrities are "dogooders" or at least that is what they want us to think. Plus, if they have their own children they may gain weight, plus it is 9 months and they are making movies and it may get in the way. I don't know, but personally I think a lot of celebrities do it for the wrong reasons. Now Brad and Angelina are all about it and I think it is good.

Answer 8

The little boy Madonna wants is not even an orphan. His father is just unable to care for him. If she truly loves children, why not provide for him so that he could stay with his father. We seem to take it for granted that all kids are better off with the Western culture than their own. If kids are orphans and have no one to love them, by all means, let's find homes for them, even if it's with celebrities. As to why people don't get American babies, more everyday people would if it was not so difficult and so expensive. Lawmakers should make it easier for loving people to adopt kids here.

Answer 9

Unfortunately for these children it is a publicity stunt. I think that the authorities should step in and check these celebs out throughly just as though they were anybody else why should they get special status just because they are celebs? I say authorities should put a halt to adoptions by celebs and make them go through the screening process just like all the others have had to go through.

Answer 10

IMO, I think adoption is a great thing, however, there are plenty of American children who need homes too--why not adopt here first?? And donate to the other countries or something??