Is International Adoption Just a Fad?

We live in a day and age where everything is "now"sometimes see the pain and suffering around them
oriented. Fast food satisfies the "now" of eating. Ifand they try to help heal. In and of itself, this is a
you need to make a phone call, no more public paywonderful advantage for the emergency assistance
phones or waiting until you get home - that's whatagencies such as the Red Cross. However,
cell phones are for. Laptop computers put the web asometimes the most effective way to assist the
t your fingertips, virtually anywhere, literally. Want achildren, whether victims of natural disasters or
new baby? Buy one from another country. Numerousotherwise, is by financial support.
celebrities and wealthy people have given theExperts have agreed that at times adoption is not
impression of having done exactly that. Are theythe best way to assist these children. While
merely influencing another fad or are they sincere?understanding that many, if not all of the children
Celebrities are notorious for their "platforms" ofhave been through a severely traumatic experience,
self-interest. Campaigning against fur one month andthey feel it would result in more adverse effects on
boycotting political parties the next. Is this the nextthe children to be removed from familiar surroundings
level of fashion statements?and re-located to a strange, new country. It is best
It is necessary at this point to acknowledge thatstated in the words of a spokesperson for an
there are two opposing views concerning adoption.American adoption agency, Childrens Hope
The first being the human right of childrenInternational,
everywhere to have a family and be surrounded by"The last thing they need to do is be rushed away to
people that love and care for them, whichsome foriegn land...We have to think of the child
unfortunately is not the case for the greaterfirst."
percentage of children worldwide. The contradictionIs this the latest dilemma we face today?Are the
to this is the belief by a vast majority of people, iswealthy people and perhaps even the celebrities
that money fixes everything, which is of coursesearching for short-term satisfaction? Is it an
untrue.over-whelming desire to help, or is it a need to feel
Quite frequently, in the aftermath of devastatingneeded? Is it truly in the best interests of the
hurricanes, earthquakes, and other disasters, manychildren? Are they benefiting from these international
people feel an overwhelming need to help. Theyadoptions?