Ricky Martin the Next Celebrity Adopter?
New Book Criticizes Celebrity Adoptions
Flemington, NJ - August 14, 2007 -- In the wake of yet another celebrity announcing his plans to adopt, adoption activist and expert Jessica DelBalzo has released a new book criticizing celebrity adoptions. The book, which is titled Unlearning Adoption: A Guide to Family Preservation and Protection, includes an entire chapter examining famous adopters like Rosie O’Donnell, Angelina Jolie, and Madonna.
DelBalzo says celebrity adoptions “are setting a dangerous trend.”
Though most Americans support the act of adopting, the author does not. She says that being adopted is unhealthy for children and damaging to their natural parents as well. Her claims are based on ten years of research and time spent working with expectant parents, and mothers, fathers, and adult children who were separated from their families by adoption.
Unlearning Adoption praises Oprah Winfrey for her efforts to help African children without removing them from their homeland. The book goes on to condemn other celebrities who have recently adopted children.
DelBalzo says the money and influence available to these famous adopters should be used to assist families who want to raise their children at home and abroad. She cites Madonna as an example. “The child she is adopting has a father who loves him. Paying for little David to stay in Malawi with his family would have been an act of compassion. Removing him from there -- and from them -- is selfish.”
DelBalzo says celebrity adoptions “are setting a dangerous trend.”
Though most Americans support the act of adopting, the author does not. She says that being adopted is unhealthy for children and damaging to their natural parents as well. Her claims are based on ten years of research and time spent working with expectant parents, and mothers, fathers, and adult children who were separated from their families by adoption.
Unlearning Adoption praises Oprah Winfrey for her efforts to help African children without removing them from their homeland. The book goes on to condemn other celebrities who have recently adopted children.
DelBalzo says the money and influence available to these famous adopters should be used to assist families who want to raise their children at home and abroad. She cites Madonna as an example. “The child she is adopting has a father who loves him. Paying for little David to stay in Malawi with his family would have been an act of compassion. Removing him from there -- and from them -- is selfish.”
As the founder of Adoption: Legalized Lies, a grassroots organization that helps expectant mothers find the resources needed to keep their babies and assists parents in contested adoption cases, DelBalzo says she has insight into adoption that few Americans have. She has previously been cited as an expert in newspaper, radio, and television segments criticizing adoption practices and supporting legal decisions that favor natural parents over prospective adopting couples.
The author says Ricky Martin’s adoption intentions are part of a greater problem. “Few people realize the grief and loss associated with adoption for children and their natural families. They think they’re saving children.”
“Saving children means supporting their families. The material benefits of a celebrity upbringing are not enough to counter the grief and loss associated with losing one’s natural parents,” DelBalzo says.
Unlearning Adoption encourages celebrities and others to follow in Oprah’s footsteps rather than O’Donnell’s or Jolie’s.
DelBalzo‘s advice is, “Follow the celebrity trends when it comes to fashion. Ignore them when it comes to family.”
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The author says Ricky Martin’s adoption intentions are part of a greater problem. “Few people realize the grief and loss associated with adoption for children and their natural families. They think they’re saving children.”
“Saving children means supporting their families. The material benefits of a celebrity upbringing are not enough to counter the grief and loss associated with losing one’s natural parents,” DelBalzo says.
Unlearning Adoption encourages celebrities and others to follow in Oprah’s footsteps rather than O’Donnell’s or Jolie’s.
DelBalzo‘s advice is, “Follow the celebrity trends when it comes to fashion. Ignore them when it comes to family.”
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Labels: adopters, anti-adoption, celebrity adoption, Unlearning Adoption
posted by Admin @ 12:19 PM
1 comments
1 Comments:
Yes, I also question the sincerity of some celebrities who adopt children. The idea of assisting families is a good one.
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