Every once in a while I hear something referring to adoption that makes my skin crawl. Recently David and I were watching the comedy “Rules of Engagement.” Most of the time I enjoy the show and get the humor. In this particular episode one of the main characters said, “If they don’t like me for who I am then I don’t want to buy one of their used babies anyways.” This comment rubbed me the wrong way and made me angry and sad at the same time.
The statement has an underlying meaning that adopted children are not as good as biological children. Society already has a negative view of adoption and lines like this in television shows, movies and other media is not helping to improve the image of adoption or the families who are affected by adoption. Adoptive children deserve the same respect and honor as all other children. Children can not help the circumstances that they are in and labeling them as “used” is crude and offensive.
The previously mentioned line equates adoption to going shopping. I did not walk into a store, choose a baby, have her scanned and bagged to be brought home. Adoption requires much more time, energy and thought than a shopping trip. While I think that the cost of adoption is outrageous adopting a child should not be equated to making a household or personal purchase. Families paying adoption fees are not buying babies.
I would hate for my child or any other adopted child to feel like a used yard sale item available for purchase.
Tags: Adoption, buying babies
People are sooooo stupid, and don’t know what they are talking about. I’ll never watch that show, the writers are ignorant.
I agree people are so stupid. I am just glad that my daughter is too young to understand what was being said. We need to do things to build up kids, not tear them down.