[Betty Britain]

Originally Posted by kakieanne

Many, many years ago I was an adopted baby, so I look at things differently. Just because Madonna's son's biological father is alive does not give him any rights. He placed his son in the orphanage and walked away. If he had visited or shown any interest in his son it's unlikely that he would have been adopted.

Madonna's son only knows the orphanage and Madonna. He does not know his father. In my mind, to return him to his father would be cruel. This man is not his 'dad'...but Madonna is his 'Mom'.

I haven't said return him to his father... And I'm not against adoption at all. My brother in law is adopted. My only grip is as I've stated previously

[DE53]

Originally Posted by Betty Britain

Whilst I think it's fantastic celebs are adopting children.. What's wrong with adopting children from their own country. I don't agree with bringing children to another country and losing their culture.they could pay for the upbringing of those children abroad by sponsoring them.. That's what I do

I guess in some countries the adoption system is easier that's why they adopt from Africa or somewhere not their own country

[whydoiwatch]

Originally Posted by DE53

I guess in some countries the adoption system is easier that's why they adopt from Africa or somewhere not their own country

Funnily enough, Charlize Theron did not adopt a baby from her own country, she adopted an American child.

[AdelaideGirl]

There are issues with inter-racial/cross country adoptions with some finding that they don't belong to either culture. Which means that parents need to be aware of this and learn about the culture their child comes from. In the case of David and Mercy (who strangely everyone here seems to have forgotten) this means going back to Malawi. Same with Angelina's kids - which they seem to be doing.

Otherwise kids are kids and they need love which there is no evidence these children aren't getting.

[fruitloop27]

Originally Posted by _drak

Edina 'Eddy' Monsoon: I'm gonna have a mixed-race baby! I'm gonna have a mixed-race baby, darling!
Patsy Stone: It doesn't make any difference, it's still a baby!
Edina 'Eddy' Monsoon: It makes a difference, darling, a mixed-race baby is the finest accessory a person in my position could ever have, sweetheart! Oh, my God, it's the must-have of the season! It's the CHANEL of babies!

Brilliant!

[caz wants cake]

My parents (both white) adopted a black baby from another country (My mum describes herself as the original Jolie), anyway growing up she was always just my sister, I didn't really understand the concept of her being a different race or culture till I was much older, I didn't see her as 'different', she was just my sister. She is much loved and cared for, despite being the only black member of my family and I believe she has had a far better life then she would have had with her biological mother. I love her to bits and would hate to think that I could have had a life without her simply because of the colour of her skin.

My point is that adoption is a wonderful thing and should be encouraged, the world is overpopulated as it is and there are far too many babies who don't have loving homes, of course I totally disagree with celebs doing it to be on 'trend' and especially when they use their money or fame to bypass adoption laws, but if they are doing it for the right reasons then it shouldn't matter what race the baby is.

[sparkle22]

I don't have a problem with white people adopting black kids.
As long as they are doing it for the right reasons the only reason madonna went to malawi is because there were no adoption rules so they made it up as they went along.
Also without all her nannies helping out she wouldn't be able to have four kids not saying she isn't a loving mother.
Personally I feel sad when black kids are adopted by 2 white parents and never get to know they black heritage.
Then they leave school go into the real world if anyone saw the programmes on mixed race on bbc2 recently.
They showed a black girl raised in scotland by white parents she wished she'd known more about her culture.
And said she always felt different.

[whydoiwatch]

Originally Posted by sparkle22

I don't have a problem with white people adopting black kids.
As long as they are doing it for the right reasons the only reason madonna went to malawi is because there were no adoption rules so they made it up as they went along.
Also without all her nannies helping out she wouldn't be able to have four kids not saying she isn't a loving mother.
Personally I feel sad when black kids are adopted by 2 white parents and never get to know they black heritage.
Then they leave school go into the real world if anyone saw the programmes on mixed race on bbc2 recently.
They showed a black girl raised in scotland by white parents she wished she'd known more about her culture.
And said she always felt different.

I was raised by two black parents and they didn't teach my anything about my "heritage." Anything I learned about black history was taught to me in school.
It truly depends on how you identify yourself; for me it's all about my nationality. I do hope that any White person that adopts black children learns to take care of their skin and hair.

[Blondie X]

Without wishing to be controversial, if a black child is adopted from an African country at a very young age by a white American, do they really have any African culture that they have to be taught? Surely most of your culture is to do with where you grow up, the people you mix with etc?
Yes, teach them about the country they are from and what happens there but are they really missing out by not spending time in a place where they were born but not brought up?

Is it really so different from someone who was born in, say, Scotland and moves to New Zealand age 3 and never goes back?

[downtonfan]

Originally Posted by _drak

Edina 'Eddy' Monsoon: I'm gonna have a mixed-race baby! I'm gonna have a mixed-race baby, darling!
Patsy Stone: It doesn't make any difference, it's still a baby!
Edina 'Eddy' Monsoon: It makes a difference, darling, a mixed-race baby is the finest accessory a person in my position could ever have, sweetheart! Oh, my God, it's the must-have of the season! It's the CHANEL of babies!

This.

[whydoiwatch]

Originally Posted by Blondie X

Without wishing to be controversial, if a black child is adopted from an African country at a very young age by a white American, do they really have any African culture that they have to be taught? Surely most of your culture is to do with where you grow up, the people you mix with etc?
Yes, teach them about the country they are from and what happens there but are they really missing out by not spending time in a place where they were born but not brought up?

Is it really so different from someone who was born in, say, Scotland and moves to New Zealand age 3 and never goes back?

Nothing controversial there. Unless they ask, it's likely not to even be a huge issue. They'll know that they are adopted. In America especially, that child will likely grow up in an area that is fairly mixed anyway so that kid won't be the only black child around. He/she will have loads of black representatives in mainstream culture to identify with.

[iseloid]

Originally Posted by whydoiwatch

I was raised by two black parents and they didn't teach my anything about my "heritage." Anything I learned about black history was taught to me in school.
It truly depends on how you identify yourself; for me it's all about my nationality. I do hope that any White person that adopts black children learns to take care of their skin and hair.

That BIB is so true. It's essential. Most white folk don't know anything about black hair and skin treatment. It's awful your parents taught you nothing. Did you ever learn stuff yourself outside of school too? Maybe your parents didn't know their heritage, if you're west indian, that's quite common.

[RealityRocks]

Originally Posted by iseloid

That BIB is so true. It's essential. Most white folk don't know anything about black hair and skin treatment. It's awful your parents taught you nothing. Did you ever learn stuff yourself outside of school too? Maybe your parents didn't know their heritage, if you're west indian, that's quite common.

What evidence do you have of this?

...and on the point in general, I really don't see why adopting a black child is any different if you yourself are white or not. I don't like the comments saying there are plenty of white babies out there. So if you're white and you're offered the chance to adopt a black child, you should say 'nah, it's OK, I'll wait for a white one to come along?!'

A baby is a baby and they need love - that's all.

[MissLola]

I don't think black skin requires a different type of skin care than white skin. The skin care should be adapted based on the skin type not the skin color. dry, oily, combination or sensitive.

Regarding hair care. Afro textured hair is quite different and requires a lot more care than straight hair. That said, it's not like most black mothers are doing a stellar job with caring for their daughter's hair. Most black women I see look a hot mess. Dry, fried relaxed hair. Tacky weaves and wigs.

Thanks to internet anyone can learn about proper hair care and good hair practices for afro textured hair.

[crazybutterflyx]

Okay so there are three pages of discussion which I really don't feel like reading so I'm going to post and if it's just repeating whats been said I'm sorry!

Personally, I have no problem with celebs adopting a child a different colour from their own, or anyone for that matter. I think its a great thing, they're just giving a child a better life than it may/would've otherwise had. As for if it's an accessory, I think as far as Charlize goes it isn't. From all the pictures I've seen she cares for the little boy, and there have also been pictures where she's covered him up from the paps in his carrier or holding him very closer to her so it's not like she's going all out to get attention. I'm happy for her and her new son!

[ultimatums]

Originally Posted by RealityRocks

What evidence do you have of this?

...and on the point in general, I really don't see why adopting a black child is any different if you yourself are white or not. I don't like the comments saying there are plenty of white babies out there. So if you're white and you're offered the chance to adopt a black child, you should say 'nah, it's OK, I'll wait for a white one to come along?!'

A baby is a baby and they need love - that's all.

But some white parents do opt to wait. This is just not white parents but blacks, asians, and other races. I am sure when a couple/person complete the adoption application, they could specify what race they want or open to any.

[dee123]

These kids will NEVER have to worry about the next meal is coming from every again. Surely that's a good thing.

[whydoiwatch]

Originally Posted by iseloid

That BIB is so true. It's essential. Most white folk don't know anything about black hair and skin treatment. It's awful your parents taught you nothing. Did you ever learn stuff yourself outside of school too? Maybe your parents didn't know their heritage, if you're west indian, that's quite common.

I'm black American so we know less than West Indians. At least West Indians can claim an island culture.
I don't think it's terrible that they taught me nothing because it wasn't a huge deal. People have this strange idea of black culture/ heritage as if it is standardised across all black people.

I learned plenty outside of school, but school was a good starting point.

[whydoiwatch]

Originally Posted by MissLola

I don't think black skin requires a different type of skin care than white skin. The skin care should be adapted based on the skin type not the skin color. dry, oily, combination or sensitive.

Regarding hair care. Afro textured hair is quite different and requires a lot more care than straight hair. That said, it's not like most black mothers are doing a stellar job with caring for their daughter's hair. Most black women I see look a hot mess. Dry, fried relaxed hair. Tacky weaves and wigs.

Thanks to internet anyone can learn about proper hair care and good hair practices for afro textured hair.

I have no problem with black women who do not want to wear natural hair. All relaxed hair does not look badly and most little black girls' hair looks okay. I'm sorry to say but you can just about point out the mixed race kids who have White mothers who don't know how to look after their hair. It's not an indictment of their mothering skills-- I wouldn't know how to look after a White child's hair. And no, anyone cannot learn good hair practices of the Internet. Black skin is drier and needs daily moisture and mild soap for instance.

[tinkerbell987]

Originally Posted by MissLola

I don't think black skin requires a different type of skin care than white skin. The skin care should be adapted based on the skin type not the skin color. dry, oily, combination or sensitive.
Regarding hair care. Afro textured hair is quite different and requires a lot more care than straight hair. That said, it's not like most black mothers are doing a stellar job with caring for their daughter's hair. Most black women I see look a hot mess. Dry, fried relaxed hair. Tacky weaves and wigs.

Thanks to internet anyone can learn about proper hair care and good hair practices for afro textured hair.

black skin (body) does need to be treated differently it needs to be moisturised so it does not become dry & ashy. alot of commercial facial products that cater for european skin do not work on black skin as it tends to strip the oil out of the skin and make it very dry. so i have to disagree with you there & say that black skin does need to be treated differently.

[Demizdeeroolz]

Kathryn Heigl has adopted 2 children, the eldest looks asian.

I often wonder what the reaction would be if a black couple adopted a white child.

[Simone17]

Originally Posted by Demizdeeroolz

Kathryn Heigl has adopted 2 children, the eldest looks asian.

I often wonder what the reaction would be if a black couple adopted a white child.

I am sure that I read that she herself had been raised with an adopted Asian sister, so just felt it was very natural for her to adopt an Asian child herself. Sorry, I cannot recall the exact country.

[Demizdeeroolz]

Originally Posted by Simone17

I am sure that I read that she herself had been raised with an adopted Asian sister, so just felt it was very natural for her to adopt an Asian child herself. Sorry, I cannot recall the exact country.

That's interesting, I shall have a google...

Edit to add this from wiki

On September 9, 2009, Heigl's representative said the couple had started the process of adopting a baby girl from South Korea.[53] Later that month, the couple adopted a special needs baby girl they named Nancy Leigh (after Heigl's mother and sister, respectively), nicknamed Naleigh. Heigl's sister is Korean-born and was adopted before Heigl was born.[54] The baby had had a congenital heart defect repaired with open heart surgery before she had left Korea.[55] Kelley and Heigl adopted a second daughter in April 2012.[56]

[MissLola]

Originally Posted by tinkerbell987

black skin (body) does need to be treated differently it needs to be moisturised so it does not become dry & ashy. alot of commercial facial products that cater for european skin do not work on black skin as it tends to strip the oil out of the skin and make it very dry. so i have to disagree with you there & say that black skin does need to be treated differently.

There are white women with very dry body skin too. And the drugstore as well as the department stores cosmetic brands have all sorts of moisturizing cream whit shea butter, murumuru butter and other very moisturising stuff. So even the driest skin can easily find a cream adapted for their skin. Where women with darker complexion struggle is to find a foundation that match their skin tone.

[Lou17]

Originally Posted by haphash

I don't think that the race of a child should matter when it comes to adoption. As long as a child is being given a good home.

Yes, I agree with this whole heartedley