celebrities adopting from other countries...

[missjef]

After watching a 'Loose Women' discussion on Madonna adopting a little boy from Malawi, and with Angelina Jolie adopting Maddox & India, i was wondering what are your views on this?

[MrBen5]

I think its pathetic. These children shouldnt be treated like pets. I know they might have a better life over here but its not the point. From what i read, the one madonna has adopted already has a father...

[Octavius]

And a mother too I should suspect.

I am cybical that these are self-centred publicity stunts. If they want to adopt, I am sure there are plenty of orphaned and needy children in their own countries, but would that give the same publicity?

[missjef]

i feel that madonna's is most likely a publicity stunt, but i dont feel the same about Angelina Jolie because she gives quite a fair amount of money to charity and has done a lot for certain charities and i think she geniunely cared about these kids and wanted to give them a good life, though i do understand what you are saying.

[unruliejulie]

As admirable as it appears,i do tend to think its a bit like the new fashion accessory. The "in" thing to do. However , if these children are in desperate need then maybe its a good thing. I just hope its done for all the right reasons. Do the kids madonna already have spend all their time with her and Guy or with their nanny? I am split on this one but my cynical side says it good publicity. I hope im wrong 100%

[unruliejulie]

done it nox, the 2nd one.

[China Doll]

Duly reported Nox.

I think that if you have the kind of money a celeb does and you want to adopt you'll go where you think most need is and where you can really make a difference.

To be honset, whether they adopt in their own country or elsewhere, they will still be hounded by the press.

As long as the child is brought up with love, respect, understanding and support then I've really got no problems with it. And as shallow as some celebs are, I really can't believe anyone would adopt a child as some sort of pet or purely for a publicity stunt.... surely?!

[mycats]

I really dont understand what the problem is.
If "normal" people adopt a baby from abroad then everyone would be saying what good people they are!

[Octavius]

There are many ways to help these needy children without taking them away from their natural and cultural environment. This sort of thing will perpetuate the �children for sale� dogma that has attached itself to poor societies for centuries. I do hope that the Madonna and Child (!) thing is done for the right reason, but that is just one child, there will be millions of others in Malawi, what about them?

[missjef]

oops noxulomus's answers have both disappeared!

[noxlumos]

Lol, story of my life...:)

[Backdrifter]

To answer the initial question, my view is that you should not watch Loose Women as it's one of the biggest piles of sh*t ever.

I agree with mycats. High-profile celebs doing stuff like this automatically get accused of "publicity stunts" and treating children as "fashion accessories". What are these knee-jerk accusations based on, exactly? Where does the suggestion come from that Madonna is adopting this boy in order to "treat him like a pet"? Are we seriously suggesting the most recognisable female celebrity on the planet NEEDS publicity?

From what I've heard about this case, the boy's father has agreed to the adoption as, since the mother died, he feels unable to look after the child. Madonna is already a mother of 2 children. Who are we to judge her abilities as a parent? Yes there are "plenty" of orphans and children up for adoption in the UK - with each attracting dozens of applications from hopeful would-be parents so it's not as though they're being sidelined by the third-world children.

Whatever her motivation - and until she speaks publicly about it only she and her husband can know what it is - I feel it's deeply mean-spirited to jump straight to the standard, token, reflex "it's just publicity" response.

[missjef]

thanks for your answers everyone..

backdrifter i dont usually watch loose women but just put it on occassionally, they normally all annoy the hell out of me!

[Backdrifter]

heh heh heh - that's reassuring to know, missjef

[Miss Inquiry]

Missjef, Madonna does loads for charity, and donates huge amounts of money to thoes who need it, but the media seems disinclined to publicise it. At all of her concerts there is a strong underlying message that we need to do more to help others who are not as fortunate as us. I think this is really admirable.

As for the baby adoption, it does make me sad the media is hounding the poor boy (this morning seeing him arrive in the UK to a sea of flashlights was a sad) but at the end of the day she is giving him a good home, has promised to take him back to Malawi regularly, I don't se why so many people are jumping on the bandwagon and getting upset about it.
Where were all these people before, why were they not campaigning to better the lives of thoes who really need adoption.
Although in a roundabout way it is good they are getting exposure and maybe more will be done to help thoes who desperatly need a family to look after them, and thoes who want to give a baby love, security and a future.

[Backdrifter]

Well said Miss Inquiry, well-reasoned and balanced. I like seeing responses where people have clearly THOUGHT about the issues - instead of the standard "it's obviously for publicity" which just sounds lazy.

[missjef]

Thanks for your answers everyone, i think everyone has a valid point.. i think in the end what gets to me is that lots of people who want to adopt are on a waiting list for months or even years and then Madonna just goes into a country then takes a child home with her because of who she is & how much money she has - of this is at least the way it seems.