Out Of Country Adoptions

[Jazzy]

Why do US citizens go out of country to adopt children?



Have they no clue that orphanages right here are full to the brim with children hoping every day that they will find a loving home?



Why do they care more about orphaned children in other countries than they do their own?



Please, someone help me answer these questions because I don't have any answers.

 

[Sinon]

It makes them look better. That's about it. It started with celebrities, I believe. Madonna or whoever it was who got a ton of media attention for adopting a poor little African kid. Sure, there's poor little American kids, but an African kid is more desirable because it shows how much you care about the world, or some bullshit excuse like that.

 

[DrLeftover]

Can you say 'bleeding heart liberal Attention Whores' boys and girls... ...





... ... .... cel-leb-britty adoption-ses ..... ...



... ... There, I knew you could.

 

[Jazzy]

Sad state of affairs. We care so much about other countries that we no longer see what's in our own backyards. Children starving not only for attention but for food and medical as well. Shame on us is all I can say. No wonder we're going to hell in a hand basket.

 

[DrLeftover]

You're not the only one to question their motives.



NOTE: these are from a 'non-disgusting, non-hater' media outlets.



One author at the NYT makes a good point

...Madonna’s charitable activities in Malawi may be laudable, but she should not be given a child in payment for them.

http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/10/celebrity-adoptions-and-the-real-world/



One that dodged the issue and came out in favor of it was:



http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kristen-howerton/celebrity-adoption_b_1579737.html

 

[Fatal Dawn]

While I agree that international adoptions have received more attention in popular media, one has to appropriate them within the context of those instigating factors. This, I believe, puts things into fairer terms as opposed concluding that society has deduced the critical need for international adoption to outweigh domestic.



For example, in certain parts of Africa (keeping in mind that there are many countries, including some North African countries which disallow or discourage international adoption), and most notably in Ethiopia, there have been factors ranging from widespread famine, to the HIV/AIDS epidemic which have been responsible for the deaths of a large portion of the adult population, while the number of orphaned children increases.



Russia is historically notable for having such a vast population of orphaned children, but additionally they have also had a government which has historically proven to be apathetic to the issue. Due to post-war circumstances, a ravaged Vietnam had their share of increasing adoptions. In this case, you not only have to consider the instigating factor behind the orphaned population, but also the significant emotional impact this could have had on the American population who became sympathetic to the plight overseas at the time. http://www.dartmouth... of Vietnam.htm

 

[DrLeftover]

So there are no kids in North America that need a forever home?

 

[Evil Eye]

Well, I suppose kids in orphanages in the west are better off than kids in third world orphanages, so adopting from there might give those kids a better life. The difference would be greater in any case.

Still, that doesn't mean it isn't a bit screwy and there're undoubtedly a few major downsides. People really shouldn't do these things because it's fashionable.

 

[Sinon]

Well, I suppose kids in orphanages in the west are better off than kids in third world orphanages, so adopting from there might give those kids a better life. The difference would be greater in any case.

Still, that doesn't mean it isn't a bit screwy and there're undoubtedly a few major downsides. People really shouldn't do these things because it's fashionable.

I'll sound like an absolute bitch by saying this, but who the fuck cares, really? Shouldn't we be dealing with our own country's problems before we start trying to help out with others?

 

[DrLeftover]

First it was the little dog that fit in the hand bag for them to carry around clubbing, then it was the 'posse' of hangers on, and then the 'adopted third world kid'.



Well. You can't just drop a kid off at the SPCA, or fire them when they get annoying.





I can see it now when these kids get into their teenage years and get that attitude going....



You're not my real mom, I didn't want to be here, YOU brought me here!

 

[Jazzy]

I'll sound like an absolute bitch by saying this, but who the fuck cares, really? Shouldn't we be dealing with our own country's problems before we start trying to help out with others?

Hats off to you and I couldn't have said it any better!

 

[Temerit]

It's much easier to adopt international children and the waiting times are much shorter.

 

[DrLeftover]

It's much easier to adopt international children and the waiting times are much shorter.

And in many of these countries, bribe money to officials to cut red tape goes further.

 

[Fatal Dawn]

So there are no kids in North America that need a forever home?

No. My intention was instead to separate what I felt were some comparisons of a social fad to a social norm which was my main argument. Moreover the point of saying that international adoption has become the social norm and that society fundamentally cares more for foreign orphans. Putting it that way kind of puts things on an emotional weighing scale when that is not usually true. Indeed I think it is possible that society cares a great deal about helping international orphans (as is justifiable), but - if asked - I am quite sure they share an equally great deal of concern for helping orphans in their own community.



Indeed, I agree - as many in this thread have described - that it is a social fad and certainly not normative. And in the case of this being a social fad, one has to put things into fairer terms. Social fads evoke strong feelings by their very nature. The emotional response is short-lived but extremely prevalent - more so when popular media or polarizing figures like celebrities are involved. A good example was the reception of Kony 2012. Let's call the campaign what it was - a fad. However, because it was commercialized and handled in quite a sensationalistic way should not detract from the instigating issue behind the campaign. Indeed the LRA remains a very serious global issue. I understand that making social issues fashionable tends to cheapen their value, and it is unfortunate that sometimes those same issues are not given proper acknowledgement due to it being stigmatized as a fashion trend.

Well, I suppose kids in orphanages in the west are better off than kids in third world orphanages, so adopting from there might give those kids a better life. The difference would be greater in any case.

That's assuming those are reputable orphanages. This is why it is significantly harder to supervise foreign orphanage systems as there is the risk of the disreputable ones trying to reap money from international donors/adopters. Some countries lack stable governing bodies to effictively monitor and respond to the situation. Most sub-Saharan African countries, for example, have no national policy in place to protect orphans and vulnerable children.

First it was the little dog that fit in the hand bag for them to carry around clubbing, then it was the 'posse' of hangers on, and then the 'adopted third world kid'.

That's the problem with fashionable causes, they are fleeting and superficial despite their underlying significance. You also have to look at the negative reciprocity of the situation as it poses the risk of having the opposite effect of what was intended. Many people become even more apathetic and distant to a cause/issue when people market it..

 

[Evil Eye]

Shouldn't we be dealing with our own country's problems before we start trying to help out with others?

Yes, yes we should, everyone should. Doesn't mean we shouldn't care though.

The plan is simple:

1. Fix everything at a national level.

2. Help fix everything at a global level.

3. Colonize a new planet.

4. Goto 1;