With all the furor lately about celebrities who are adopting, the media has resorted to reporting the names of celebrities who are NOT adopting.

Jennifer Lopez told Ellen DeGeneres she’s ready to start a family, but she’s not really considering adoption at this point. Jennifer is not opposed to the idea, but then, she’s not excited about it, either.

I feel so much better about life now that I’m aware of that little tidbit. Don’t you?

For more celebrity adoption gossip important news, click here.

For more information about adoption, visit www.laurachristianson.com, and
check out my Exploring
Adoption bookstore.

Jane Dratz’s article in The Christian Post got me to thinking about the ways in which the Madonna adoption is raising awareness of adoption in general.

The media usually slant their stories one of four ways:

Slant #1: Adoption is the “it” thing to do among the rich and famous.
Madonna is rich. Madonna is famous. Madonna is controversial. Madonna is adopting. Reporters portray adoption as a “fad” currently in vogue among the rich and famous. They harp on Madonna for using adoption as a publicity coup. The media tend to ignore the fact that the publicity coup they have generated the media coup for Madonna. They also ignore the fact that adoption involves real people, broken hearts, thoughtful decision-making, and myriad other factors.

Slant #2: Adoption is bad.
Human rights groups are protesting the Madonna adoption. No one is quite sure why they’re protesting, other than some vague references to the possibility that Madonna’s adoption may light a firestorm of child trafficking in third world countries. Some reporters insinuate that if human rights groups are protesting the Madonna adoption, then adoption in general must be a bad thing.

Slant #3: Adoption is good.
Madonna is rescuing an orphan. Millions of orphans are waiting to be adopted all over the world (not to mention the 120,000+ kids waiting in U.S. foster care). Get off your butts, people, take a shot of humanitarianism, and adopt, adopt, adopt! This overly enthusiastic portrayal of adoption makes adoption sound as if you just show up at an adoption agency, pick out the child you want, and bring him or her home a few days later. The process is slightly more complex than that, even for Madonna.

Slant #4: People who adopt transracially are misguided.
During one of the many talk shows Madonna has appeared on recently, she said, “I think [racism] is underneath a lot of people’s prejudice about me adopting David. I think a lot of people have a problem with the fact that I’ve adopted an African child, a child who has a different color skin than I do. … I think it’s still considered taboo. You know, I have people say to me on the streets, ‘Why did you adopt a black child?’ I don’t say anything. I don’t dignify their question with a reply. But there is a lot of racism in the world.”

For another interesting viewpoint on the Madonna adoption, see “Celebrities Adopting” by Martha Osborne in RainbowKids.com International Adoption E-Zine.

Source: The Christian Post, “How to Share Your Faith Using Madonna’s Adoption”

Related posts:
Using the ‘Madonna’ Adoption as a Springboard to Share Your Faith

Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie adopt from Malawi

Madonna Discusses Adoption on ‘Oprah’

For more news and information about adoption, visit www.laurachristianson.com, and check out my Exploring Adoption bookstore.

Like pretty much everyone else in the world, I’ve been following the story of Madonna and her hubby, Guy Ritchie, who’ve recently adopted a son from Malawi (to get up to speed on this topic, please read my previous posts, “Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie adopt from Malawi” and “Madonna Discusses Adoption on ‘Oprah’”).

The latest updates:

The birth father yo yo: After saying he supports the adoption, and then that he doesn’t support the adoption, Yohane Banda is now back to saying he supports the adoption. At least for today.

Court Hearing Postponed: 67 human rights groups are protesting the adoption. But the court hearing, which was originally scheduled for last week, has been postponed until November 13.

In my careful scouring of the Internet for the latest Madonna adoption news (so you don’t have to!), I came across an editorial column by Jane Dratz. In The Christian Post, she writes “How to Share Your Faith Using Madonna’s Adoption.”

Now, that’s definitely a unique twist on the story! Here’s Jane’s take:

“Regardless of whether you are supportive or critical of Madonna’s adoption efforts, adoption is a topic that provides a great conversation starter for sharing your faith.”

Jane is right-on with that comment. I’ve talked with numerous people whose lives have been touched by adoption; when they’re questioned about their transracial family or about why their birth child doesn’t live with them, they take the opportunity to explain how God is at work in their life.

Regarding our spiritual adoption as God’s children, Jane writes:

“The spiritual reality is that God is inviting every one of us to move from the spiritual poverty of sin and separation from God, into an abundant life where our relationship with God is restored through Jesus, and where we become sons and daughters of the King of the Universe! The gift of adoption into God’s family is real and eternally life-changing!”

Jane suggests several ways for Christians to move the conversation from Madonna-talk to God talk:

• Ask your friends what they think of Madonna’s adoption efforts.
• Would you ever consider adopting a child in need of a loving, caring home? Do you think it would take a lot of sacrifice?
• What do you think it would be like to go from the poverty of an orphanage in Africa to the lavish lifestyle of the rich and famous?
• Ask your friends if they realize that on a spiritual level, God’s invited us through Jesus, to walk away from our spiritual poverty and be adopted into the rich blessings of a life as His child.

What say you, readers?

• Have you used your own adoption story as a means to share your faith?
• If so, how? If not, why not?
• How can you use the Madonna adoption as a springboard to share your own faith?

Sources:
The Guardian, “Father Backs Madonna Adoption”

 The Christian Post, “How to Share Your Faith Using Madonna’s Adoption”

For more news and information about adoption, visit www.laurachristianson.com, and
check out my Exploring
Adoption bookstore.

Madonna appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show today to discuss the adoption of 13-month-old David. Following are links to excerpts from the show, as well as tidbits from the latest news about the adoption and the controversy that surrounds it.

For details about the adoption read my previous post: "Madonna and Husband Guy Ritchie Adopt from Malawi."

The Oprah Winfrey Show: “Madonna: The Adoption Controversy”

In the fall of 2006, Madonna traveled to the African nation of Malawi where she is building an orphan care center with her foundation Raising Malawi. Soon after her trip, news broke that she and husband, Guy Ritchie, were adopting a 13-month-old boy named David.

Washington Post: “Madonna Speaks Out on Adoption”

Pop star Madonna spoke publicly about her recent adoption of a Malawian boy today, saying she was worried that the "shocking" controversy it has caused will discourage others from adopting needy children from Africa.

Entertainment Weekly: “Malawi father knew of Madonna adoption plan”

Yohane Banda, father of the 1-year-old boy, told Reuters Television on Saturday that he never intended for his son to be adopted by Madonna. He accused senior officials in government of not telling him the truth about the papers he signed.

But his comments were categorically denied by Penson Kilembe, director of child welfare in the Ministry of Women and Child Development, who told Reuters the ministry explained every detail of the process to Banda and his family.

Fametastic: “Madonna fuels rumours of second adoption after shopping spree”

Is Madonna planning to adopt a second child? She stirred up rumors when she spent $7,200 on baby clothes for both boys and girls.

SAWF News: “Brangelina Masterminded Madonna’s Malawian Kid Adoption”

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt apparently persuaded Madonna and hubby Guy Ritchie to adopt a child from Africa, rather than one from the US. The Ritchies were on the verge of adopting a US baby just three months back, but abandoned plans after being advised by Jolie to adopt a Third World infant instead.

Related Posts on this blog:

Angelina
Jolie and Brad Pitt Consider Adopting Child #4  6-20-06

Brad
Pitt Hopes to Adopt Angelina Jolie’s Children 12-14-05

Jessica
Simpson, Jennifer Lopez, Consider Adoption  4-1-06

Renee Zellweger Wants to Adopt 10-14-05

 Celebrities
Adopting  6-10-05

For more news and information about adoption, visit www.laurachristianson.com, and
check out my Exploring
Adoption bookstore.

The worldwide press is having a heyday with the Madonna adoption story so I thought I might as well jump into the fray, too.

In case you’ve somehow managed to avoid following the debacle exciting news over the past few weeks, here are the facts of the case, culled from numerous media reports:

Adopting parents:
Pop star Madonna, 48, and her husband, film director Guy Ritchie, 38.

The Madonna family:
Madonna has two birth children, daughter Lourdes, 10, and son Rocco, 6.

Child being adopted:
David Banda, age 13 months.

Country from which David was adopted:
Malawi

Where in the world is Malawi:
The Republic Malawi is in southeastern Africa, surrounded by Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique. It is the tenth poorest country in the world, with a mean income per capita of less than $1 a day. More than 1 million orphans live in Malawi, 700,000 of whom became orphans when their parents died of AIDS.

David’s history:
David’s mother, Marita, died of complications during childbirth. David has spent most of his life in the Home of Hope Orphan Care Centre in the town of Mchinji.

David’s father, Yohane Banda (who earns his living spraying potatoes in fields), says he is too poor to raise David on his own and that he wants Madonna and Guy to adopt his son. In news reports, he insists he wasn’t sad to see his son leave because he believes David will ultimately benefit from being adopted.

Madonna’s interest in adopting from Malawi:
After learning of the one million plus orphans in Malawi, Madonna and Guy decided to “open up our home and help one child escape an extreme life of hardship, poverty and in many cases, death, as well as expand our family.”

Madonna says that she and Guy began the adoption process many months ago but chose not to go public with the news, as “this is a private family matter.”

Madonna has pledged $3 million through her Raising Malawi charity to help the country’s orphans.

Controversy surrounding the adoption:
Anything Madonna does is guaranteed to be controversial. But in this case, Madonna and Guy stayed in Malawi only eight days before claiming custody of David, who arrived at their London home Tuesday (October 17, 2006).

Human rights groups are challenging the adoption, claiming that Madonna used her fame to disregard the law. In Malawi, parents who wish to adopt are granted temporary custody and must live in Malawi for 18 months while their fitness to parent is monitored.

Activists claim that Malawi law bans intercountry adoption and that the Madonna adoption sets a precedent which could legalize human trafficking. The judge who granted them interim custody says that the issue of residence is not specified in the laws.

A hearing on the case has been postponed until next Friday (October 27, 2006) so Attorney General Jane Ansah has time to consult with the Ministry of Gender, Child Welfare and Community Services (Ministry of Gender…that’s a new one!).

As it now stands, David will live with Madonna and Guy for 18 months and be monitored by Malawi officials before final approval can be given for him to officially join their family.

For more news and information about adoption, visit www.laurachristianson.com, and
check out my Exploring
Adoption bookstore.

It’s official. Actress Sharon Stone, 48, adopted a third baby son, Quinn. Her other two boys (also adopted) are Roan Joseph, 6, and Laird Vonne, 15 months.

Source: Hollywood.com

Related Posts About Sharon Stone:

Actress Sharon Stone Adopts Grandparents

Celebrities
Adopting

Sharon
Stone Discusses Adoption

For more news and information about adoption, please visit my web site, www.laurachristianson.com. 

Rumor had it that pop star Madonna and hubby Guy Ritchie planned to adopt. Not quite, she said. Instead, she’s adopting an entire village in Malawi, Africa, as she helps build a school and a home for hundreds of kids there.

Source: Starpulse News Blog

Actress Meg Ryan appeared on ‘Oprah’ last Wednesday, saying that she knew she was destined to adopt her 1-year-old daughter, Daisy True, 10 years ago.

Apparently, 10 years ago Ryan was in India, saw a little girl and felt strongly that she was meant to adopt. She weighed her options for eight years, and two years ago she started the process to adopt a daughter from China.

The 44-year-old actress is now the proud parent of Daisy. Ryan originally named her daugher Charlotte, but decided that Daisy was a better fit because "she is such a flower, just blooming and blooming." Ryan brought Daisy home in January, after an 8-day stay in China.

She also has a 13-year-old son, Jack, with ex-husband Dennis Quaid.

I’m comforted to learn that Ryan went through a lengthy, thoughtful process before adopting. With all the furor over celebrities adopting these days, I had been worried that one of my favorite actresses adopted because it’s "the thing to do" among Hollywood stars. Now I know differently.

Sources: Irish Examiner
MegRyandotcom
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Read my related post, "Meg Ryan to adopt from China."

More celebrity adoption posts on this blog:

Madonna
Discusses Adoption on ‘Oprah’ 10-25-06

Brad
Pitt Hopes to Adopt Angelina Jolie’s Children 12-14-05

Angelina
Jolie and Brad Pitt Consider Adopting Child #4  6-20-06

Jessica
Simpson, Jennifer Lopez, Consider Adoption  4-1-06

Renee
Zellweger Wants to Adopt 10-14-05

Celebrities
Adopting  6-10-05

For more articles about adoption, visit my Web site, www.laurachristianson.com, or my blog on Adoption.com.

A ContactMusic.com article about Sharon Stone adopting her two children brought up all sorts of adoption-related issues for me.

The article first tells us that Stone "refuses to hide her two children’s adoption from them."

Refuses. Interesting choice of words. Why would she want to hide the fact that she adopted them? Does the reporter believe that adoption — in and of itself — is so shameful that Stone should consider hiding from her children the details of how they joined her family?

(An aside on shameful — Stone’s fame is in large part based on her role in the movie "Basic Instinct." Maybe Stone should consider hiding that from her kiddos!)

Stone says that she has already told her son Roan that he was adopted, and she plans to tell son Laird as soon as he’s old enough to understand. Good for you, Sharon. Adopted kids and birth parents have suffered too long from the stigma that adoption must be kept secret at all costs.

Next, Stone says she thinks adoptive parents have a deeper connection with their children than biological parents. Well, that’s a new one! Adoptive families are constantly stereotyped as families who can’t possibly love each other as much as biological families because they’re missing the mysterious, all-important "genetic connection." Stone flips this stereotype on its head, jokingly referring to "all the poor mothers who just have birth children — they don’t know what it really means to have a child pick you and you pick them." 

Groan. Why do we obsess with comparing who loves whom more? Can’t we be content with knowing that biological parents love their kids (most of the time), birth parents love the children they placed for adoption (usually from afar), and adoptive parents love their kids (most of the time).

Then there’s this choosing business. Well, yeah, Stone and her kids might have picked each other out at an orphanage, but the reality of adoption is that, while adoptive parents  purposefully choose to add a child to their family, that child is often chosen for them by a social worker, attorney or government worker. And in private domestic adoptions, it’s usually the birth parent(s) who choose an adoptive family for their child. Let’s not let choosing one’s child become a measuring stick of our love for them. Let’s just love ‘em. Period.

Stone’s final comment is that "our kids look so much more like us than birth children look like their parents."

Double groan. This statement makes me wonder why Stone’s trying so hard to validate her adoptive parenthood. Why should it matter who the kids look like? Does looking like one’s parents somehow validate a child’s place within his or her family? Let’s allow our children — adopted or not — to just look like themselves.

Related Posts About Sharon Stone:

Actress
Sharon Stone Adopts Grandparents

Celebrities
Adopting

Sharon
Stone Adopts Third Child

For more articles about adoption, visit my Web site, www.laurachristianson.com.

One Hollywood star, who experienced the joy of adopting
a child, decided to adopt a second time. Only this time, she didn’t adopt a
baby; she adopted great-grandparents for her baby.

Actress
Sharon Stone and her now ex-husband, Phil Bronstein, adopted their son, Roan,
in 2000. Sharon marveled at how much she loved this baby with whom she wasn’t
biologically connected. So she carried adoption one step further, by informally
adopting grandparents for herself and her son. “We should be able to adopt
adults into our lives as well as children,” says Sharon, in the July 2003 issue of Good Housekeeping.

Sharon met Eileen Mitzman at an AIDS
fund-raising event and was struck by Eileen’s warm, loving demeanor. One day, Sharon (whose biological grandparents are
dead) visited the Mitzmans at their apartment and asked them if she could adopt
them as her grandparents. “They were a little incredulous at first, I think.
But I told them I really meant it; I wanted them to be my family,” says Sharon.

The
Mitzmans agreed, and Sharon’s family has since fully embraced
them – the Mitzmans even walked down the aisle as grandparents at Sharon’s sister’s wedding.

Sharon’s willingness to adopt grandparents
demonstrates that she grasps a key concept about adoption: it doesn’t matter
who your child belongs to; what matters is who belongs to your child. Sharon filled a hole in her son’s life by
finding people to belong to him.

Adapted from Laura Christianson’s upcoming book, What’s So Great About Adoption? A Self-Guided Tour for the Uninitiated (available August 1, 2007, Harvest House Publishers).

Related Posts About Sharon Stone:

Celebrities Adopting   

Sharon Stone Discusses Adoption

Sharon Stone Adopts Third Child

Note to readers (Nov 20, 2006): There has been a sudden, intense interest in this post. Where are you all coming from? Please comment or email me, and thanks for visiting!