LilMtnCbn
10-31-2003, 07:03 AM
Another one:
http://www.freelancestar.com/News/FLS/2003/102003/10312003/1138035
Don't take narrow view of adoption; consider children around the world
Date published: 10/31/2003
In her recent letter ["Adopting parents should remember American kids," Oct.
15], the writer reveals a sad and perplexing perspective on intercountry
adoption. She chastises parents who have chosen to adopt internationally rather
than "fight to change the system" here in the United States.
As the adoptive father of two daughters who were orphaned in China, I believe
her narrow perspective is a product of misinformation and an elitism that
masquerades as patriotism.
Our social welfare system, with all its faults, has at least evolved beyond the
institutionalization of orphans. If she had ever visited a Third World
orphanage in Romania, Moldova, or rural China, she might begin to have some
perspective on the vast gulf of privilege we enjoy, and on the heart-wrenching
conditions to which most orphaned children in this world are exposed.
She seems to liken international adoptive parents to people who take the easy
way out, by purchasing cheap foreign goods at a mass retailer rather than
patronizing the local mom-and-pop store.
I would suggest, however, that God puts a calling on each person's heart as to
how they build their family. To some he gives the unique calling to reach out
to children across the world. Indeed, such families often commit to their
children with precious little information on their health or
background--desiring first and foremost to give the most hope to those with the
least hope.
Domestic or international, they are all in need. I thank God that there are a
growing number of people who realize that we are global citizens, and who see
that a child's value has nothing to do with where he or she was born.
John P. Tippett
http://www.freelancestar.com/News/FLS/2003/102003/10312003/1138035
Don't take narrow view of adoption; consider children around the world
Date published: 10/31/2003
In her recent letter ["Adopting parents should remember American kids," Oct.
15], the writer reveals a sad and perplexing perspective on intercountry
adoption. She chastises parents who have chosen to adopt internationally rather
than "fight to change the system" here in the United States.
As the adoptive father of two daughters who were orphaned in China, I believe
her narrow perspective is a product of misinformation and an elitism that
masquerades as patriotism.
Our social welfare system, with all its faults, has at least evolved beyond the
institutionalization of orphans. If she had ever visited a Third World
orphanage in Romania, Moldova, or rural China, she might begin to have some
perspective on the vast gulf of privilege we enjoy, and on the heart-wrenching
conditions to which most orphaned children in this world are exposed.
She seems to liken international adoptive parents to people who take the easy
way out, by purchasing cheap foreign goods at a mass retailer rather than
patronizing the local mom-and-pop store.
I would suggest, however, that God puts a calling on each person's heart as to
how they build their family. To some he gives the unique calling to reach out
to children across the world. Indeed, such families often commit to their
children with precious little information on their health or
background--desiring first and foremost to give the most hope to those with the
least hope.
Domestic or international, they are all in need. I thank God that there are a
growing number of people who realize that we are global citizens, and who see
that a child's value has nothing to do with where he or she was born.
John P. Tippett
