Scott Walters Exploring Stuff

Here’s an interesting debate piece on Celebrity Adoption (Madonna again) from the NY Times.

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

Always interesting to read what others think of adoption, have a look at the comments and you’ll see the typical stuff about the kids should stay in their own culture, only children who have no living relatives should be adopted overseas etc.

From my perspective, with 3 children who joined my family through international adoption, I am so grateful that God saw fit to put my kids with my wife and myself.

Here’s a great article from Canada on international adoption, http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090317.wlAdoption0317/BNStory/lifeFamily and in particular sibling group adoption which my wife and I are currently working through.

Even more interesting is to read people response to the article. See http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090317.wlAdoption0317/CommentStory/lifeFamily#comments where you get to see how the “politically correct” people think they have the right to tell parents how to raise their adopted kids.

Adopting across cultures results in transracial families who need to deal with racism, adoption and other issues. A good article from Karris Golden from thelutheran.org on the topic.

Adopting across cultures

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6061526.stm
Quote: “People who adopt inter-racially are a little selfish and naive.”
Article starts out well. I think anyone who thinks about it would say that first choice is for the kids to remain within a loving family in their own culture BUT when the choice is lifelong institutionalisation or a loving multicultural family the answer is pretty obvious.

VOA News – Madonna Trip to Malawi Highlights Cross-Cultural Adoptions Debate:

“Reports that pop star Madonna is in the process of adopting an orphan from the African nation of Malawi have brought praise for raising awareness about the rising number of orphans in Africa and other parts of the developing world. However, they have also brought criticism for encouraging what child welfare advocates believe is one of the least desirable solutions to the problem. “

International adoption is not for everyone: “International adoption is not for everyone”

This is a quick self test that raises some of the issues concerning adoption.

The Korea Herald : The Nation’s No.1 English Newspaper: “Susan Soon-keum Cox is vice president of public policy & external affairs at Holt International Children’s Services. – Ed. ”
An older adoptee writes about why adoption should not be banned in Korea. Her comment about the “orphans with gray hair” with respect to children who didn’t get adopted and didn’t have a birth family really hits the mark.

ContraCostaTimes.com 08/04/2006 Kazakh sisters united in the Bay Area

:The fairy tale that began last summer, when two Kazakh orphans — sisters who never knew the other existed — found each other in the same Berkeley home, has its happy ending at last. Nearly a full year after Raya’s heart-breaking return to Kazakhstan, the brand new U.S. citizen and newest member of the Dalrymple family touched down at San Francisco airport Thursday afternoon with her mother, Robin.”

Adapting to Adoption
By Christina Nelson

http://partners.inq7.net/newsbreak/istories/index.php?story_id=55748

Article on Philippines adoption. Mentions Dr Laraua and the tedious process

Walla Walla Union-Bulletin: Local News:
By CHETNA CHOPRA for the Union-Bulletin
“Moms and dads reach across the seas to find sons and daughters, and a local network grows with the families.”

Excellent article, shows the positive aspects of support groups for adoptive families.