The Backlash Against Madonna's Adoption
This is a familiar charge when it comes to celebrity adoptions. Jill Smolowe, my pal who also co-edited an adoption anthology with me, wrote a fabulous piece for People magazine a few years ago about celebrity adoptions. Her conclusion: Most celebs have to slog through the bureaucracy, just like everyone else.
It's possible that Malawi officials did not follow the letter of the law with Madonna's adoption. But my guess is that is true in many of the adoptions in that country. Anyone who has adopted internationally knows that the "process" is a less than orderly one. Rules and procedures change frequently. And often there is a disparity between what is on the books and common practice. This is how life works in many developing nations.
While it's understandable for countries abroad to be uncomfortable with the idea of wealthy foreigners swooping in to "buy" up their children, I think the situation is probably more a shade of gray than they're acknowledging.
And anyone who supports this effort needs to really consider whether shuttling this adoption really improve the circumstances of this boy. Does anyone doubt that his life will be better outside that orphanage--even if Madonna's motives for adopting (in my opinion) are suspect? I wish that all these people so concerned about the legality of this adoption would put half as much energy into investigating and improving the conditions of orphanages and circumstances that lead Malawi parents to relinquish their children to the state.
Stumble It!
posted by pam at 6:39 PM
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