The Madonna controversy How Does It Effect Intern...

The Madonna controversy
How Does It Effect International Adoption?

Last night while I was waiting for my son to finish his homework, I got to do something I rarely do which is watch the evening news shows. All the talking heads were alternating between discussing the Michael J. Fox commercials and the Madonna adoption controversy. Of course the one show had a very upset commentator who was an adoptive father was very upset with Madonna for what he claims will ruin it for the rest of us who want to adopt internationally. Of course the controversy revolves around the fact that purportedly the laws for adoption in country of her adoption require the adoptive parents to reside in the country for an 18 month period. That seems a rather onerous task to ask of adoptive parents, but if in fact that is their rule, so be it. However, as the mother of an internationally adoptive child, also know that rules abroad involving adoptions are routinely changed or waived. The judge in our case (as well as the entire group traveling with us) all had the wait period waived. He must have been in a good mood that day. In our case we were told that there could be one to four week wait period before we could leave with the child. We were prepared to leave and come back due to the fact that we left other children at home. We were lucky in our case. Why can't it be Madonna was also lucky? Why wasn't her judge permitted to waive the requirement as was our judge? Is it because she is famous, and her adoption is public news, that she must be forced to a higher standard? I would be interested in seeing if any other adoptive parents were forced to reside for an 18 month period before leaving the country with the child. I would venture to say this "rule" is routinely waived. Isn't it more important that the child will be cared for properly and shouldn't we take into consideration that the child had been in an orphanage from 2 weeks after birth?

I think we need to re-evaluate our priorities and remember that we need to apply a best interest test in dealing with children. Who does the 18 month residency requirement benefit? Clearly not the child, who would thrive with nutritious food and medical care not readily available in his present environment.

We all want to think that the rich get favors you and I never do; but in this case I really don't believe the favor was granted because she bought it. I think the waiver was granted because the child deserved to begin his healthy new life as quickly as possible.