Madonna Loses Adoption Bid

[Nancy66]

Malawi court has turned her down because she did not adhere to the residency rules.

Agree georgiemum about the Paris Hilton types.

She has given money to a school I think?

I mean, we all watch the news and comic relief etc.. and look at the poor people on there and want to 'save' them, but then common sense kicks in and you realise there are better ways to to put your time and money to use.

I always remember that advert about giving a man a fish and he will eat that day, but teach him how to fish and he will be able to feed himself and family for the rest of his life.

and how many people do you think would put their children in orphanages if rich celebs started giving the orphanages money?

I don't agree that Madonna should have been allowed to adopt this child, but I equally think that the argument that these celebs should pour some of their millions into orphanages/should give individual families money is far too simplistic.

Her previous child was in an orphanage, and yet as soon as Madonna surfaced the father wanted him back, except he seemed happy to leave him there beforehand while he built his new family with his new partner and child on the way.

Similarly this family seems to have surfaced all of a sudden

Money does strange things to people, and IMO to give money like this would have disasterous consequences for the children in these countries, and would make things worse not better.

Sad world when you can buy and sell children

I'm not surprised. She is 50; she forgets that. It is unfair on a child to be adopted by someone who may not be around for that much longer.

And yes, I agree. i'm sure there are much more useful things she could do with her millions to help orphans in Malawi, and other African countries.

In which case wannabe you must agree that for a child to be torn out of their own culture and environment and thrown into the merry-go-round that is Mad Madge's world would also be harmful and have disasterous consequences?

We have no way of knowing whether or not the family's claims are true but I prefer to give them the benefit of the doubt. I think it is entirely plausible that their intention was for her to come back to live with her extended family when she got a little older. They certainly appear to be in touch and involved in the orphanage. Even if she stayed in the orphanage throughout her childhood, chances are she would grow up in her own community and maintain links with her extended family when she grew up. There would be no chance of that if Madge gets her grubby hands on her.

I think it is incredibly patronising to suggest that living in Malawi is such a fate worse than death that photogenic toddlers must be rescued by celebrities, flouting the rules on adoption in both the country where the child comes from and where they would be raised, and that this is an inherently good thing because otherwise they will be poor. There are worse things than poverty.

or more precisely how many children could come out of the orphanages if money was given that would allow their family to support them?

I have never forgotten the footage of Madonna leaving her house for the gym, a couple of hours after David arrived in the country.
That spoke volumes to me about her priorities.

wannabe actually makes a very good point - there was a piece about the UK adoption system in The Times.

The vast majority of children looking for adoption in the UK are from the care system - very few parents or mothers choose give up their children and those that do are typically looked after by other family members. Those in the care system are largely those who've been taken from their parents under care orders and often have behavioural difficulties as a result. Also, more than 60% of those children in care looking for adoption are over 10 years old. I'd also add that being an orphan in the UK is a rare and tragic thing - being an orphan in Africa is far more likely, not least due to the number of AIDS (about 12 million I think).

That being said, I entirely agree with Madonna not being allowed to adopt in this case for the various reasons above - gievn her vast personal wealth and connections, if she was serious about helping kids like Mercy rather than fulfilling some personal need, she could do far more meaningful things.

I don't think international adoptions are wrong in themselves; all the evidence seems to suggest there is a huge benefit to a child in being with a loving family rather than an orphanage (even if the orphanage is well-funded).
Just can't believe that Madonna is going to provide love and stability, sadly.... judging by the amount of disruption her poor existing kids (incl. David) have had to go through in the last few years.

I agree Kathy, a loving a stable home is better than an orphanage. I have nothing against international adoptions.

But celebrities going baby shopping in deprived African nations where their money and status talks - there was a quote from some Malawi government minister about how they want to do everything they can to ensure she gets her way because of the money she has given - feels wrong, wrong, wrong to me.

Sounds like this judge is just applying the law to this case.

If that's the case why was Madonna allowed to have the child cared for in this lodge or whatever. How distressing for the child.

Madness. Adopt a US or UK child!

And, while this has nothing to do with the international adoption issue, there's something about the notion of someone saying 'no' to Madonna that really cheers me up!

LOL Clam!

Apparently she wanted to 'balance' her family and have a sibling for David. Which I suppose is fine, but she just seems to be so busy. Why adopt and then leave the children with nannies for most of the time? While you're chasing Brazlian models whose mothers are younger than you?
I know many men behave like that but it's just as bad when a woman does it imo.

The sad thing is that I bet she gets the kid in the end. Can't imagine her just walking away.

I know nancy. That's what's so wrong.

But she can't go against the court can she?

She can appeal.

And then there is always the good old-fashioned back hander.

She'll get what she wants in the end.

Witch.

Oh.... she wants to "balance her family!"

OK, then. Which kid would Madam prefer? Would you like her gift-wrapped?

Spoilt cow.

Are the children she already has not his siblings then? Or does he need a "black" sibling? Reminds me of that waynetta sketch.
Also how is she able to adopt a child from another culture when she has no connection with that culture?

I am not sure I agree with the majority of you..

Undoubtedly, a child she adopts will have a better life with her than in an African orphanage. Yes, it might not be what we would class as 'normal', as they will be in the public eye. However, that is 'normal' to her and her children, and countless others. Not all sleb offspring turn out like Paris Hilton.

She did go to an orphanage and 'choose' this child, I don't like the accusation that she would have walked in and pointed 'I want that one I would like to think it was a bit more deep rooted than that.

She has 3 children, and though I don't know anything about her nanny situation, I would assume she has one, and that the nanny helps her raise her children whilst she works. I work, and have help with childcare, and due to the nature of my work I am sometimes away from home for periods of time, and there are many weeks where my DS spends more time with carers than with me. Does this make me a bad mother? Does it mean I shouldn't be allowed to have more children, biologically or otherwise?

Sacha Baron Cohen's piss take on Madonna. Funny but also very accurate.

www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1166993/Sacha-Baron-Cohen-ridicules-Madonnas-adopti on-outrageous-Bruno-movie.html

I think one of the reasons Madonna - and other celebrities - may attempt to adopt from poor countries because they know that any remaining family of a adopted child in the developed world is far more likely to have the means to open a lawsuit

For a lot of the reasons already mentioned, I think Malawi made the right decision.

Also, if she genuinely wants to adopt this child for their own good, she'll move to Malawi for the 18 months required. Can't see it happening though.

Okay I will retract my earlier outburst about all the orphas in our country but still there are children in need of a family all over the world for whatever reason.

I just think it would be better if children should be adopted to people in their natural country so they can learn about their heritage etc and make up their own minds where they want to live when they are older.

I am sorry but would a child be happier playing with their parents in a loving, average maybe not privelaged(sp?) home or being dragged around teh world infront f the cameras like Brangelina's kids? never having a normal day in your life never having your parents full attention.

That's all that I meant by that statement