The controversy surrounding the attempt by Madonna to adopt a second child from an orphanage in Malawi brings to light the confusing situation in international adoption. On Friday, a judge in that nation rejected the singer's adoption request on the grounds that waiving an 18-month residency requirement would set a dangerous precedent. Madonna was granted such an exemption when she adopted a Malawian boy in 2006.
This is just another example of how the intricacies of each country's legal system, cultural mores and poverty level intersect with the guidelines of The Hague treaty on intercountry adoptions.
The result has been a decline in the number of orphans from developing countries being adopted by Americans. While adoptions become harder, the number of orphans grows, especially in Africa because of the tragedy of the AIDS crisis. Malawi has an estimated 1 million orphans, and untold numbers of orphans languish in other African countries as well as in Romania, Russia, China and Latin America.
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Madonna, Malawi and adoption madness
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Madonna, who was seeking an interim adoption, appealed against a High Court decision refusing her bid to adopt a four-year-old girl named Mercy James. Malawian rights groups, who accused the government of skirting residency laws when Madonna adopted David Banda in 2006, also opposed the latest adoption attempt.They say celebrities should not be allowed to fly in and adopt children at will.
Madonna leaves Malawi after failed adoption bid
The adoption was denied by Judge Esme Chombo because Madonna had not met residency rules requiring adoptive parents to live in Malawi for 18 to 24 months. Madonna's lawyer, Alan Chinula, described the judgment as "incomprehensible", saying the court had approved her adoption of David Banda in 2006. He said they were appealing in Malawi's Supreme Court.
Madonna's hopes of adopting Mercy James are in limbo
This is just another example of how the intricacies of each country's legal system, cultural mores and poverty level intersect with the guidelines of The Hague treaty on intercountry adoptions.
The result has been a decline in the number of orphans from developing countries being adopted by Americans. While adoptions become harder, the number of orphans grows, especially in Africa because of the tragedy of the AIDS crisis. Malawi has an estimated 1 million orphans, and untold numbers of orphans languish in other African countries as well as in Romania, Russia, China and Latin America.
Full Article and Source:
Madonna, Malawi and adoption madness
More information:
Madonna, who was seeking an interim adoption, appealed against a High Court decision refusing her bid to adopt a four-year-old girl named Mercy James. Malawian rights groups, who accused the government of skirting residency laws when Madonna adopted David Banda in 2006, also opposed the latest adoption attempt.They say celebrities should not be allowed to fly in and adopt children at will.
Madonna leaves Malawi after failed adoption bid
The adoption was denied by Judge Esme Chombo because Madonna had not met residency rules requiring adoptive parents to live in Malawi for 18 to 24 months. Madonna's lawyer, Alan Chinula, described the judgment as "incomprehensible", saying the court had approved her adoption of David Banda in 2006. He said they were appealing in Malawi's Supreme Court.
Madonna's hopes of adopting Mercy James are in limbo
We have so many homeless kids right here in the US in need.
ReplyDeleteCharity begins at home. I wish people would adopt here.
Madonna's intentions are suspect.
ReplyDeleteIf she adopted a child from the USA would she be getting this much attention? Publicity?
I doubt it.
If Madonna truly cared about this child, Madonna has enough money to assist the child's family which would enable them to raise the child in luxury.
Good point, Anonymous 2.
ReplyDeleteMadonna can afford to pay the high price of an American child -- why doesn't she?
And you're so right, if she truly cared, she could assist the family monetarily to raise the child she wants to adopt.