The choice to adopt is a very personal one. There are no unplanned adoptions. There are many reasons for choosing to adopt a child. Children are a blessing regardless of how they come to be a part of the family.
When we first looked into and then started the adoption process, we were going to adopt a girl from China. We went to numerous informational meetings and understood the climate of Chinese adoption. We truly felt led in that direction. Then the Chinese government made a few regulatory changes and we were no longer considered desirable parents for a Chinese daughter.
God has plans that He doesn’t clue us into early and He used our failed Chinese adoption to guide us to foster/adoption. Foster parenting has been the most rewarding and hardest thing we’ve ever done. It’s not something we initially even looked at. It certainly isn’t for everyone.
Celebrity adoption is not new. Celebrities aren’t any less prone to fall to difficulties with trying to conceive just because of their celebrity status. International adoption among celebrities has gotten a lot of attention over the last few years. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have adopted three from different countries. Madonna has adopted two from the same country. These children undoubtedly will be living a better life and not matter what drives the desire, they are wanted children.
Pauly Shore has filmed a mockumentary, Adopted, about celebrity foreign adoption. I can see where he’s coming from because the motives behind these adoptions is not always seen as altruistic. Is it for the cameras? Is international adoption the new hip accessory? There are so many children available for adoption in the US, why go elsewhere?
It’s true; there are too many children in group and foster homes wishing for a forever family. I can’t judge what’s in someone else’s heart and the adoption he is called to fulfill, though.