celebrity adoptions
Celebrity adoptions have brought attention and visibility to international and domestic adoptions, but that doesn’t make it a trend or a fad.

I just read an article titled Domestic Adoption is the Hot Hollywood Trend.   Honestly, my first reaction was to cringe.  And then I read the comments and saw this:

“There is no celebrity domestic adoption trend. There is no celebrity international adoption trend. There is only a false, media-manufactured ‘competition’ regarding the most virtuous form of adoption that is meant to generate page views and newsstand sales. ‘Articles’ like this insult adoptive families of all stripes…”

Now tell the truth, what was your first reaction?

Adoption isn’t a trend.

Not sure exactly why, but anytime I see the word “adoption” associated with “trend” is rubs me wrong.  I think it’s because I associate “trend” with “fad”, and children are a life time commitment, not a passing fad, regardless the form of family building—easy conception, surrogacy, or adoption.  But is it an “insult to adoptive families”?

All the actors mentioned Sandra Bullock, Sheryl Crow,  and Mariska Hargita (and I would add Denise Richards, Calista Flockhart, Tom Cruise/Nicole Kidman, Rosie O’Donnell to the list) have long expressed a desire to parent and seem to be totally committed to parenting.  No evidence that they adopted to be fashionable.  The fact that they are proud adoptive mommas sends a great message that adoption is simply one way to form your family—neither better nor worse than any other way.

All types of adoption deserve visibility.

I see the commenter’s point about drumming up competition between the types of adoption.  But considering the media attention on famous families formed through international adoption (think Angelina Jolie/Brad Pitt and Madonna), I see nothing wrong with an article that highlights that there are children available for adoption in the US.  Perhaps we need a little more media attention of celebrities that adopt from foster care, such as Nia Vardalos and Steven Spielberg/ Kate Capshaw.

Image credit:  World Economic Forum