Roland Martin: Why aren’t celebrities adopting U.S. kids?

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by Lamar Tyler | on March 31st, 2009 | 13 comments

Update: The decision came down to residency requirement and the fact that the judge believes she was being well taken care of in the orphanage. Click here for the complete story…

Roland Martin had a good piece over at CNN.com that talks about celebs going overseas to adopt children but instead of just focusing on them he also talked about how he thinks the adoption system in the US is screwed up. Excerpt below:

It seems that anytime we hear about celebrities like Madonna adopting, the children are from another country. I’m not at all opposed to children being adopted from Africa, China or any other country, but it does raise the question: What’s wrong with adopting American children?

Now I’m not against anyone providing a secure, loving home for a child, but it seems to me that these stories often reinforce a growing public image of adoption for many Americans: that of a rich, famous individual going to a developing country to adopt a child. According to various adoption and governmental agencies, more than 500,000 American children are under foster care, and many of them are waiting for adoption.

Now, it would be easy to blast these celebrities by saying it’s the hip thing to walk around with an international child, but truth be told, we’ve got a serious adoption problem in this country.

Single mothers have a difficult time adopting a child, and several I know personally have gone overseas. And let’s not even talk about the red tape and bureaucracy!

American parents are made to jump through enormous hoops, and the process takes years, instead of months. And all too often, single people and married couples simply grow disenchanted with the process.

He goes on to lead a call for action in an attempt to push for reform of the adoption system. The entire article is pretty interesting and you can check it out here.

Do you think celebs should adopt from here in the US first and foremost or does it not matter at all?

About the author

Lamar and Ronnie Tyler are the creators of the award-winning blog BlackandMarriedWithKids.com . They also are behind the Amazon.com bestselling DVDs Happily Ever After: A Positive Image of Black Marriage, You Saved Me and Men Ain’t Boys that explores manhood in the African American community. The Tylers are also the proud parents of four children.

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http://stellarsassysocial.blogspot.com elle denise

because its not in style…

elle denises last blog post..March Madness: Wings!
LaKeysha

I think its difficult to change a lot in america concerning adoption because we have so many rules in america. The reason we have these rules is so that we ensure children are adopted into responsible families. And the agencies have to cover their backs and make sure they will not be held responsible in the future for not following all of the steps to ensure a safe household.

We have to admit that once these countries allow americans to adopt they are no longer involved. The citizens of their countries are not nearly as quick to criticize and fire their agency workers that make mistakes as we are. One false move…one error…and we want someone fired/sued.

So I kind of understand the grueling process that is involved and any way we can make it more smooth would be nice but we also have to realize that we hold american agencies to a much higher standard than most other countries do theirs. So if we want the higher standard we have to put up with the barriers that creates.
ewok

I agree with LaKeysha.

The stars go there because it is easier. America does not run a ‘bargain basement’ establishment where we can go and choose a child, make a sizeable donation, and take them back on the the next thing smoking to Los Angeles.

I always told myself if I adopted, then it would be within my own community or city.
http://www.reservationsmagazine.com Kirstin (aka The Travelin Diva)

I agree, expecially with Elle Denise “it’s not in style” to adopt an American child. The celebrities who have, like Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman and Michelle Pfeiffer are forgotten. The media makes it seem like Madonna and Angelina & Brad created adoption.
http://www.scritchandscratch.com/blog VEe

Does it not matter at all? No, it does not matter at all. Period.
He more or less admits that his article is more reactionary than anything else.

I really think LaKeysha’s comment said more in 3 paragraphs than Martin’s entire article. As soon as we read or hear a story about a child in the care of a Mr. Dahmer or Mr. Kelly, then we as American’s are quick to sue or demand that some one is fired immediately.

Did Martin even do research to demonstrate how many more international children are being adopted than American children? Let’s not begin to mention the care that orphaned American children receive compared to children in other countries without bureaucracies in place to protect them or make sure they’re not going hungry. Quickly skimming through the comments of the CNN article, some people are saying that they find more infants overseas as opposed to 8-year olds with behavioral problems. I do think he’s didn’t even care to really present the issues concerning families that want to adopt children in the states.

Maybe Martin should continue to pose the question as to why Oprah didn’t build a school in America as opposed to South Africa where there have been a number allegations of sexual abuse.

Good for Madonna, Angelina Jolie and Josephine Baker. Humanity wins.

VEes last blog post..Mugshot Madness – He Loves Paint
Anna

Some choose to not adopt here because of the lenght of time it takes and also some biologicial parents have changed their minds even years later and wanted their kids back and won.
Blair

Most couples interested in adopting prefers newborns and/or whites. In the USA there are ample amount of older children, children with disabilities, and children of color for adoption. However, these children aren’t high in demand. In addition, the abortion rate outweighs the demand for children up for adoption. This is why I am a pro-life supporter. People needs to stop being selfish and opt for adoption instead of murder.
Bull

Interesting stuff. I agree our adoptions system needs work. But I can still blame Queen Angelina and the faux-British Material Girl. Instead of jet setting around and adopting kids from other countries, why aren’t they using their celebrity to lead a charge for adoption reform right here?
Anna

Bull said:
Interesting stuff. I agree our adoptions system needs work. But I can still blame Queen Angelina and the faux-British Material Girl. Instead of jet setting around and adopting kids from other countries, why aren’t they using their celebrity to lead a charge for adoption reform right here?
~~~~~~~~
The Jolie-Pitts mission is to adopt a kid from each country. We don’t know where their biological kids were conceived but we do know that they were not born in the U S because they want dual citizenship for their kids. For them to adopt a child in America would mess up their plan.
I can’t believe that anyone would allow Material Girl to adopt a child at the age of 50. I want to know why do you hold a press conference to state that you are going to adopt a child. Just another material accessory to fulfill in her life I guess. When she adopted David she did not go through all the proper steps to get him. She donated tons of money to get him. Now she has to play by the rules and she is appealing. I learn something new everyday. You can appeal an adoption because you chose to not take the necessary steps that are apart of the process? Must be nice to have money.
Balanda

Roland, when I first read your comments I was really bothered by what you had to say about adoption from foreign countries. I think you need to remember the situations in many 3rd world countries where children are abused, homeless and unable to have basic needs such as clean water. I know that the adoption situation in the US is not popular among celebrities, but stop and think for a moment that the cause may be based on urgent needs. In the US, children in foster homes may not have the best life but it is significantly better than those on the streets in countries like Haiti that have less than nothing! Before we point out what celebrities are doing, let’s first look at the plight that children around the world encounter on a delay basis. I challenge you to walk in the shoes of orphans in both the US and in developing countries to see where the URGENT need is located.

I am part of a non-profit organization called Amour En Action (amourenaction.org) in Haiti that provides education and medical aid to the citizens of that country. I must tell you that the poverty in Haiti is unimaginable. Just think of the worst place that you’ve been to in your life and multiply it by 100!!!! The children that we care for suffer from hunger, lack of clean water, proper hygiene on a daily basis. If celebrities what to help alleviate those problems I encourage it. Everyone would prefer to leave the children with their families, but organizations like ours are lacking in financial resources to help the children. We are traveling to Haiti at the end of May and we have difficulties to raise only the $10,000 needed to provide aid to these kids.

Roland, I say BRAVO to anyone that understands the suffering of children abroad and anyone that wants to help. As a Haitian-American I know what the needs are here and in Haiti so I’m sorry to say, a foster home here would be a luxury for a child in Haiti or in many 3rd world nations. I look forward to your comments on this topic.

A bientot!!!

Balanda
sick of the bullshi#@

adopt here first. we are giving our best interests to other countries over our own in everything. trade, housing, immigrants, adoption…etc. Our country is going downhill and the politicians are making sure of it.
Jason

I think before you ask what kids they adoption what kids are YOU adopting?