22 replies to this topic

[Joli Garçon]

There has been a lot of debate about international adoption since Angelina Jolie and Madonna have adopted babies from 3rd world countries
What are your thoughts about the subject?
Is it right to take a child from their home and culture in the hopes of improving their lives? Is it arrogant to think that a child would be happier in a western environment? Will they have problems with identity because their parents are white and they are not?

[Godless-Liberal]

I voted Yes, but with a disclaimer.  In some cases, I think it is good.  In some, I think not.  It depends on the type of person that adopts the child.

[mallowblaster]

If and when it comes time for me to adopt a child, I plan on international adoption.

[Joli Garçon]

I voted no, because it is horrible to take a child from everything they know and think is safe.
And what about their language and culture? Shouldn't that be respected?
If you take them away from that they won't have a proper identity

[yaniv23]

Maybe it should be respected, but you are aware of the fact that HIV is spreading in Africa like a.... plague, and that boy/girl might not live to be 20, so I think's it's good... I personally prefer to live and have a good life even when my parents are not my color.

[Guss]

Well...I think that a child has maybe more opportunities and more love by parents who really want a child and are eager to raise a human being. I understand your point Joli, but well, at least, me, as a parent would obviously teach the boy/girl its culture and stuff about where he/she is from...

[yaniv23]

I think in most cases the adoption is done for the good of the child, and the parents are not going to hide the childs history, background and so on... they just offer him better life then being dead in the streets.

[Kyle!]

I think they are robbing the children of their culture.. although their lifestyles would be so much better..

it's kinda a hard toss up.

[Soleiman]

I think as long as the parents are respectful of the child's culture, even learn the child's native language then it should be fine. I think it does get a bit harder when parents adopt children of a different race, as they will have to deal with children at their schools making mean comments about them, and they could become very confused about their identity.
Also another problem is often children are taken from bad situations in poor countries, but nothing is done to help the community where they came from

[The_NuttyTart]

i think the choice should be made individually....the child is being helped and will in most cases have a better life...there was a case in the uk a few years ago of a child who died from abuse at the hands of her aunt and uncle...her parents had sent her to the uk to have a better chance and unwittingly sent her to her eventual death...the child was on the social services register but they made an awful cock up of watching over her

[We Could Be Heroes]

Let's not foret that most kids who get adopted are not being 'robbed' from some happy home. Often they are abandoned or worse...

[waltermitty]

I voted yes

its all about the life chances of the child and if the child is homeless etc they have to have a better chance in life of developing to their true potential if bought up in rich family than in in an underfunded childrens home.

But as with any adoption the parrents however rich should meet the required standards for adoption

[Hollywood]

I voted yes, but I think it really depends on the child.
I think every child deserves a good parent even if it's a parent far away, but there are times when it's best to keep a child in their home country because they trauma of being moved to a new place will be far too much for them

[Stupendous Man]

I would agree with Maike

I think the parents need to be concious of the child's culture though, and should help them to maintain their language/culture/religion, in addition to learning their new families customs

[Joli Garçon]

I think Brad and Angelina should adopt me I'm foreign!

[Stupendous Man]

[Jes]

Well I know I want to adopt a child from Eastern Europe.
There's a lot of orphan's out there, what's so wrong about giving them a chance at a better life?

[Joli Garçon]

Jes, on 25 May 2009 - 02:30 AM, said:

Well I know I want to adopt a child from Eastern Europe.
There's a lot of orphan's out there, what's so wrong about giving them a chance at a better life?

why East Europe?

[Anel]

I think that countries should give a good effort to find a suitable parent within their country, but if there is someone who can give the child a good life and they want to relocate the child, then I think they must spend time learning the language and culture of the child. Otherwise the child will have a conflict of identity later in life

[Peter]

Clearly yes. Many children in the third world countries have no future due to lack of funds, health care, education etc.

International Adoption is a good thing and the parents can still teach their adopted children about the culture and heritage of their home country.

Peter

PS: In my scenario I assume that the children either have no parents, otherwise no child should be taken away from any parent