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Celebrity Adoptions


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If you felt the earth trembling today, it wasn't because of a faultline; it was undoubtedly the loud gnashing of one publicist's teeth as the world learned that despite her denials, and despite a husband's reported reservations, Madonna has, indeed, adopted a one-year-old boy from Malawi.

According to reports, government officials for the small African country waived its two year pre-adoption residency-and-foster-care requirement for the American singer, who is already the mother of two biological children. Interestingly enough, it seems this is, in fact, an open adoption, since Madonna and her husband Guy Ritchie reportedly met with the child's birthfather (the birthmother died shortly after the boy was born) and according to him, they promised to send pictures and return for visits on occasion.

There have been no media reports as to how long Mr. & Mrs. Ritchie may have been planning for adoption, nor whether they completed a homestudy and dossier, as is usually required in international adoptions. Public response has been mixed; some are hailing the placement as being a humanitarian gesture others would do well to follow, while others are questioning whether this was a placement that meets this child's best interests and whether it's fair for adoption standards to be relaxed or waived for celebrities simply because of their fame and/or fortune.

What's your take on this?

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(FOR ADULTS ONLY)

It does create a rather bizarre tableau... imagine that esteemed social worker, Berthina Bergersnicker of BabyKing Adoptions (where you can have it your way, for a whopper of a price!) handling homestudy interviews for any of these celebrity adopters...

The Ritchie Homestudy

"So, Madeline, oh, I'm sorry, Madonna, is it? Allright. Well, I see you are interested in the arts, and you once produced a coffee table book on, what does this say here, uhhh... about S-E-X? Do you want to tell me more about this project? How do you feel it contributes to your ability to be a good parent? And what would you say has been your involvement in the black community (other than having dated Dennis Rodman many years ago?) I see. Well, now, your current husband has been quoted in the press as saying he's not entirely comfortable with this adoption plan; does that have any bearing on your decision-making process, in your estimation?"

The Jolie-Pitt Homestudy

"Let me ask you about your marital history? Ohhh... ok. Let's see if I have this right. You're not married to each other, but you have both been married to other people? Oky-doky. Now, Ms. Jolie, you were plagued with rumors of having had an inappropriate relationship with your brother, but that's all over and done with? But presently, you have cut off all contact with your father? while Mr. Pitt continues to engage in surreptitious communication with his ex-wife, according to the tabloids? Very good... please give my best regards to Jennifer. I just loved her in 'Friends.' Oh, and tell her to call me if she and Vince decide to work it out, I hear they've talked about adopting as well."

The Allen Homestudy

"All right. Let's talk about significant relationships. Woody, you met Soon-Yi how? And she was how old at the time? You used to change her diapers? Goodness, how sweet. So, reviewing the chronology; you were engaged in an intimate affair with her adoptive mother, until that unfortunate disagreement about your alleged conduct with her young child, also adopted. Well! I can see how something like that would've really put a crimp in dinnertime conversation, of course that union had to end! So, now... are you hoping to adopt boys or girls? And have you given any thought to making Mia the godmother? Might help resolve any leftover bad vibes between you three... it's just an idea, don't mind me!"

The Stone Homestudy

"Ms. Stone--it is "Ms." now, isn't it? I was so sorry to hear you left your husband when he came down with that nasty brain tumor. Now, as I understand it, you are adopting a third son as a single parent... uh... dear? I'm terribly sorry, but would you mind crossing your legs? Because while I am expected to do an extensive home inspection, I really don't need to check that part of your life out as a part of this process..."

The O'Donnell Homestudy

"Thank you for the cruise tickets, Rosie! I could certainly use some time on the high seas. Now, about your history... you have such lovely tow-headed children! The photo over there, the little dark-headed girl? Oh, yes, that's the foster child you put back into the system, of course! Well, no, she didn't look much like your partner, Kelli, did she? I understand, certainly. I'm so glad your depression has subsided now. I can imagine that quitting the talk-show, getting sued over the ending of your magazine and losing all that money on Boy George's musical must've been quite stressful. But tell me, are you making friends with your new co-workers at 'The View'?"

:P (Anyone else want to have some fun with this one?!)

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Oh Ms Bergersnicker, you forgot Meg Ryan, who recently adopted a daughter from China...

AFTER having a very public affair with actor Russell Crowe while filming a movie together (hey, let's call it what it was....ADULTERY!!!!) as she was married to Dennis Quaid at the time...basically disregarding her marital vows, which led to her divorce from Dennis Quaid and depriving their son of the love and security of a 2 parent home.

Yep, that just about covers it......

(Just so you know.....I'm not dissin' single moms here......just the way she went about becoming single, since we are on the subject of celebrity adoptions!!)

Edited by marthaj
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Here's a story from the Associated Press about the very issue of Madonna and the wisdom of allowing her to do what she has apparently done.

Frankly, this whole issue of celebrity adoptions has been gnawing at me for a while. If any of us did half of what some of these folks did (can you imagine swapping spit with your brother in front of your social worker???), we would have been turned down in a heartbeat.

Money and celebrity buy a lot of things -- including, apparently, children.

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(FOR ADULTS ONLY)

It does create a rather bizarre tableau... imagine that esteemed social worker, Berthina Bergersnicker of BabyKing Adoptions (where you can have it your way, for a whopper of a price!) handling homestudy interviews for any of these celebrity adopters...

The Ritchie Homestudy

"So, Madeline, oh, I'm sorry, Madonna, is it? Allright. Well, I see you are interested in the arts, and you once produced a coffee table book on, what does this say here, uhhh... about S-E-X? Do you want to tell me more about this project? How do you feel it contributes to your ability to be a good parent? And what would you say has been your involvement in the black community (other than having dated Dennis Rodman many years ago?) I see. Well, now, your current husband has been quoted in the press as saying he's not entirely comfortable with this adoption plan; does that have any bearing on your decision-making process, in your estimation?"

The Jolie-Pitt Homestudy

"Let me ask you about your marital history? Ohhh... ok. Let's see if I have this right. You're not married to each other, but you have both been married to other people? Oky-doky. Now, Ms. Jolie, you were plagued with rumors of having had an inappropriate relationship with your brother, but that's all over and done with? But presently, you have cut off all contact with your father? while Mr. Pitt continues to engage in surreptitious communication with his ex-wife, according to the tabloids? Very good... please give my best regards to Jennifer. I just loved her in 'Friends.' Oh, and tell her to call me if she and Vince decide to work it out, I hear they've talked about adopting as well."

The Allen Homestudy

"All right. Let's talk about significant relationships. Woody, you met Soon-Yi how? And she was how old at the time? You used to change her diapers? Goodness, how sweet. So, reviewing the chronology; you were engaged in an intimate affair with her adoptive mother, until that unfortunate disagreement about your alleged conduct with her young child, also adopted. Well! I can see how something like that would've really put a crimp in dinnertime conversation, of course that union had to end! So, now... are you hoping to adopt boys or girls? And have you given any thought to making Mia the godmother? Might help resolve any leftover bad vibes between you three... it's just an idea, don't mind me!"

The Stone Homestudy

"Ms. Stone--it is "Ms." now, isn't it? I was so sorry to hear you left your husband when he came down with that nasty brain tumor. Now, as I understand it, you are adopting a third son as a single parent... uh... dear? I'm terribly sorry, but would you mind crossing your legs? Because while I am expected to do an extensive home inspection, I really don't need to check that out as a part of this process..."

The O'Donnell Homestudy

"Thank you for the cruise tickets, Rosie! I could certainly use some time on the high seas. Now, about your history... you have such lovely tow-headed children! The photo over there, the little dark-headed girl? Oh, yes, that's the foster child you put back into the system, of course! Well, no, she didn't look much like your partner, Kelli, did she? I understand, certainly. I'm so glad your depression has subsided now. I can imagine that quitting the talk-show, getting sued over the ending of your magazine and losing all that money on Boy George's musical must've been quite stressful. But tell me, are you making friends with your new co-workers at 'The View'?"

:P (Anyone else want to have some fun with this one?!)

:lol::lol:

Elizabeth, that was funny!

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Very Funny - Ms Social Worker.

But the whole thing really makes me sick....

What good can come of this..really. The poor country waived all of its processes that it had in place to protect its child, for Madonna's money? The rest of "us" couldn't adopt from that country if we wanted to...so why can Madonna. I think her money would be better used by sponsering an orphange and/or schools

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A childless celebrity first goes to Cambodia and acquires a baby boy in an adoption that was reportedly under FBI investigation, dumps her husband, then adopts an Ethiopian baby girl in a placement also tainted by allegations of wrongoing. She then takes up with a married Hollywood actor, bears his child out of wedlock, and reportedly plans to adopt again-- amidst public acclaim for her humanitarian impulses.

A married celebrity with two biological children goes to Africa, pledges a huge amount of money to seed a charity benefitting that country's orphans, then makes plan to adopt a baby boy, with his birthfather's blessing, yet sets off a firestorm of public opposition and accusations of opportunism and exploitation.

Why do you think these celebrity adoptions have incurred such very different public reactions?

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I think it's because Madonna is a lightning rod for controversy. She loves to be the center of attention. People assume because of past behavior that her current situation is also questionable.

Angelina is much less known for being controversial purposely. It also helps that Angelina is gorgeous! I never knew that either of her adoptions were questionable until I read the links provided.

Personally, I am much more offended by the trend that Angelina has set. I have seen interviews with several startlets talking about how much they admired Angelina. They further commented that they wanted to bring home babies from poor countries too (to be humanitarian). Children are children no matter where they come from. They take hard work and a lot of love and attention. They are not fashion statements or the latest do-gooder accessory. I hate the terminology that has entered their language due to Angelina's actions.

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Anyone see Leno last night???

During the monologue he was talking about Madonna's pending adoption plan. Jay said he imagined that 'All of you women that have been waiting so long to adopt probably wonder what the secret is to speeding up the process' (pardon the paraphrasing). Punch line: 'All you need is to sell a million records and have a bunch of money'. Again-totally paraphrasing but that's the summary. :angry:

Sad but true???

Doesn't sound like much of a joke/punch line. The audience cheered. I guess it seems that people feel like she 'bought her way into adoption'. ?

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I'm wondering....just how many of these celebrities actually take a "hands on" approach to parenting, and how many have nannies or a household staff that primarily do those day to day activities??

Angelina Jolie does seem to take a very hands on approach to parenting. I do believe her motives were pure, but possibly the way she went about it was less than ethical.

But, goodness, at least with all the publicity these celebrities should realize they are "on notice" that the world is watching.

Which reminds me of the movie "Mommie Dearest" (I never read the book, just saw the movie.) The actress Joan Crawford adopted 2 children as infants, then proceeded to terrorize and abuse them (her daughter Christina more so than the brother.) The world never saw this because actors and actresses were idolized during those early days of motion pictures and television. And their private lives were indeed private....at least to the American public.

So perhaps there is a good side to all the publicity and the public scrunity. The world is watching.

(And hey, while we're talking about celebrities, my award for the "Worst Mommy Moment Caught on Film" has to go to pop-star/diva wannabe Brittany Spears, who let her biological son, still just a baby, ride in her lap while she was driving, sitting between her body and the stearing wheel, where a sudden impact could have caused him to be crushed by her body weight???????????????????)

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I have to say that I was trying to be open minded about the Madonna adoption until I read that she HAD to return to Europe early so she left staff to stay with little David and a nanny flew back with him once the courts cleared it!!!!! :blink: She is ADOPTING A CHILD and couldn't even stay a week longer to take him home on the plane herself??????? I'd say NO, she isn't going to be a hands on parent! Ok, I better close now before this gets ugly..... :blink: :angry: :ph34r:

Can you imagine leaving Texas a week early, then having a NANNY fly home with your child????????????

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Can you imagine leaving Texas a week early, then having a NANNY fly home with your child????????????

Even worst, can you imagine even trying to explain to Elizabeth Ann and Angela what was so gosh darn important that you had to leave Texas early, leaving "your" baby behind in the care of someone else...and then wonder 6 months down the road why you're not yet cleared for finalization???????? :o

Edited by marthaj
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[Even worst, can you imagine even trying to explain to Elizabeth Ann and Angela what was so gosh darn important that you had to leave Texas early, leaving "your" baby behind in the care of someone else...and then wonder 6 months down the road why you're not yet cleared for finalization???????? :o

I WOULD BE AFRAID TO EVEN ATTEMPT TO TELL EITHER ONE OF THOSE LADIES SUCH A THING!

:blink::o:blink::o:blink::o

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[Even worst, can you imagine even trying to explain to Elizabeth Ann and Angela what was so gosh darn important that you had to leave Texas early, leaving "your" baby behind in the care of someone else...and then wonder 6 months down the road why you're not yet cleared for finalization???????? :o

I WOULD BE AFRAID TO EVEN ATTEMPT TO TELL EITHER ONE OF THOSE LADIES SUCH A THING!

:blink::o:blink::o:blink::o

HOLY SMOKES!!!!!!!! :blink::o:lol: NO, I CAN'T IMAGINE EVEN "THINKING" ABOUT THAT!!!!!!! I THINK WE NEED TO SIC THOSE GIRLS ON MADONNA! :lol:

(And that's why we love our Abrazo chicks!) :D

Edited by TheEnglishes
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I have to say that I was trying to be open minded about the Madonna adoption until I read that she HAD to return to Europe early so she left staff to stay with little David and a nanny flew back with him once the courts cleared it!!!!! :blink: She is ADOPTING A CHILD and couldn't even stay a week longer to take him home on the plane herself??????? I'd say NO, she isn't going to be a hands on parent! Ok, I better close now before this gets ugly..... :blink: :angry: :ph34r:

Can you imagine leaving Texas a week early, then having a NANNY fly home with your child????????????

Inside Edition or one of those kind of shows showed Madonna coming out of a local gym while her baby was still in Africa with the Nanney.

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Oprah is having Madonna on her show next Wednesday. She is going to give her side of the story concerning the recent adoption. Should be interesting... :rolleyes:

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Oprah is having Madonna on her show next Wednesday. She is going to give her side of the story concerning the recent adoption. Should be interesting... :rolleyes:

So now she has time to fly to the U.S. to do publicity? But couldn't escort her new baby home? UGH!!!!! :angry: I wonder if he's staying behind with "her team" while she comes to the U.S. to defend herself???? :blink:

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Oprah is having Madonna on her show next Wednesday. She is going to give her side of the story concerning the recent adoption. Should be interesting... :rolleyes:

Yes, it should be interesting.....as we all tune in to hear Madonna's side of the story, it will certainly mean BIG RATINGS for Oprah, and Madonna once again gets to be the center of the world's attention.

Does anyone remember when she first appeared on Dick Clark's American Bandstand back in the mid-80's, and she pranced down the center of the dance floor and stood before Dick Clark?

When he asked her a question (something about her goals for the future, etc) she announced with much bravado "I WANT TO RULE THE WORLD!"

Now it could be "I WANT TO OWN THE WORLD. THINK I'LL START BY BUYING A VILLAGE IN AFRICA.............." (Sarcasm intended............)

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And now, there are reports that the birthfather of the child Guy & Madonna hope to adopt says he "didn't understand the adoption would be permanent" (have we heard this one before?) and that Brangelina talked the Ritchies out of their original plan to adopt an American child (through our friends at Vista Del Mar in CA) in hopes of promoting their "Rescue the Third World Through Adoption" agenda. (What's the old saying? With friends like these, who needs enemies?) :P

You'd be surprized, though, how many people call us asking whether we offer "temporary adoption" (is that an oxymoron, or what?!) We refer them instead to foster care agencies, explaining that adoption is a permanent solution, not a temporary fix.

And how many do-gooders adopt once or twice, then want to put out a shingle advertising their services as "adoption experts"? (Enormous errors have been made by well-meaning adoptive parents who 'got into the business' without having any education or training in this area and have found themselves in horrendous legal trouble for charging for services they weren't qualified to offer.) Just because you've eaten an apple or two doesn't make you a tree, after all...

I was enraged yesterday to read that the "outreach director" at Great Wall China Adoptions out of Austin was playing on folks' fears of adoption laws in the U.S. to promote her program. Saying that adopting out of China is "safer" for adoptive parents because birthparents in the U.S. have more rights is, in my mind, comparing oranges with rotten apples! (You can bet I fired off a hot response to the editor of the Chicago paper that carried that story!)

But back to you, Mr. & Mrs. Ritchie. I'm truly sorry that your Third World adoption has hit a snag. I do believe you were trying to do a good thing for a child in need. Search your souls to assess whether you believe in your heart of hearts that this adoption is in little David's best interest, and if so, lawyer up and hunker down; it's going to be a long, slow process. And if on any level you get the sense that maybe there's another way for you all, send this child back to his homeland, and call Vista Del Mar back. There are plenty of children available here in the U.S., and with any luck, you may be able to do an open adoption so you know firsthand that you've got the birthparents' blessing... and that they truly do understand the "forever" factor in that decision they're making.

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I have been sick with all of this celebrity adoption business too. I have emailed NBC to complain about one of their reports about Madonna. They stated that "adopted children are the lastest celebrity accessory". :angry:

That is so insensitive to me, to Jonah , to his wonderful birthfamily and all of us. . It makes me really sad to hear the way ignorant people speak about adoption.

. Stick to singing bad songs and trying to be young Madonna. (P.S. you are from Detroit- lose the fake british accent :P )

Jenn

Edited by JennandDave
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I have been sick with all of this celebrity adoption business too. I have emailed NBC to complain about one of their reports about Madonna. They stated that "adopted children are the lastest celebrity accessory". :angry:

That is so insensitive to me, to Jonah , to his wonderful birthfamily and all of us. . It makes me really sad to hear the way ignorant people speak about adoption.

. Stick to singing bad songs and trying to be young Madonna. (P.S. you are from Detroit- lose the fake british accent :P )

Jenn

Amen sister!

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For a well-written perspective on this debate from a woman who was herself adopted, check out David Banda/Ritchie? Meet Laura Barcella.

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