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I was cleaning out my email account recently, when I came across a URL I had sent myself to look at. It’s from June 1st, regarding Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban adopting a baby from Vietnam. I wasn’t struck by the article, which by now is old news, but by the comments. (I’m leaving in all the spelling mistakes. Really people, how hard is it to read what you write before you click post?)
Doesnt anyone want to adopt an AMERICAN child??!!! ~ E
I was thinking the same thing!! There are so many children that need loving parents right here in our own country and everyone seems to be going overseas to adopt. ~ M
I dont understand celebrities. Yes children of other countries dont have the advantages we do when it comes to clean water, housing, medical care and clothing, but why cant anyone think of the many AMERICAN children who needs a home? That is my question not only to celebrities but also the general public when adopting outside the country. We need to think of our citizens well being as well. ~ W
Awhile later, someone pointed out that Kidman and Urban are Australian. Kidman actually holds dual citizenship in the US and Australia, because she was born in Hawaii. The couple splits their time between the two countries.
Anyway… I have to wonder if any of the MANY critical commentators have actually adopted in the US, let alone the US foster care system. There are many reasons for parents, celebrity and no-name alike, to adopt internationally.
Like this one for example:
Pretty sure they choose babies from other countries so they won’t have any hassles later. i.e., the birth mom or dad trying to insert themselves back into the child’s life. I mean, it’s much easier to just adopt a baby from thousand of miles away from a destitute family and never have to worry about them again. Can you imagine the blackmail potential?? ~ ED
Wow! If this woman represents even a small percentage of Americans, I suddenly feel more of what birthmothers are up against. Because I live in an adoption aware little bubble over here, I always think that the educated outnumber the ignorant, so I tended to think of birthmother discrimination in a different way. (But that’s another post.) I had thought that ideas like this went out in the 1980s, along with jelly bracelets.
Then there’s this reason:
The reason why most people try to adopt from out of America first is becaue the stips are not as stringent. If the american adoption practices were not so stringent I am sure more people WOULD adopt here in the good ‘ol USA. ~ AWaM
Obviously, this woman doesn’t know what she’s talking about. Sorry, but I have to call a spade a spade. (But that is also another post.) There are rules and hurdles for all adoption processes, and, as far as I can tell, none of them are inherently easier than the others.
And speaking of not knowing what you’re talking about…
I think the law should be changed on this thing that the biological parents have the right to change their minds within 90 days. ~Er
However, I felt that the worst comments were of the “oh what a blessed and rick child she would be” ilk:
At least Nicole and Keith are adopting. That is going to be one well-loved kid! ~ M
I see NOTHING wrong with giving a child from any country a second chance at living a normal life! ~AWaM
It is awesome that they are taking a child that needs them. ~Ma
were’nt her older 2 kids adopted from the US? so she has helped them already. I think its great where ever they adopt from they will love the baby to bits and thats what counts! (not to mention they can afford to give it a great life!) ~ Mel
This is what happens when I read mainstream parenting web sites. I want to teach an adoption seminar in every Babies R Us nationwide to reach the most people. Here are the talking points:
- Adoption is not easy, no matter who you are, how much money you have, or where your child is.
- Different families will choose different types of adoption. One type of adoption is not better than another.
- Birthmothers are not the enemy!
- Regardless of your child’s background, you will not forget about his birth family. You should not ignore their existence. You should honor, at the very least, the fact that they brought him into this world.
- Parents adopt because they want to be parents, not because they want to save a child. Healthy adoptive parents do not sit around thinking about how wonderful they are to have “rescued” their children.
- You can’t adopt from a country that’s closed to the US (unless you’re Madonna).
- If Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban did adopt, then they would all be blessed.
Bravo post!
Thanks Mandy!