Positive Adoption Story in Colombian Newspaper -- EL TIEMPO

very beautiful story!

This was a very good article. I found the comments at the end fascinating (where people can write in their reactions). I am currently reading the book Beyond Good Intentions: A Mother Reflects on Raising Internationally Adopted Children by Cheri Register. Cheri Register is an adoptive mom of two now grown daughters from Korea. One concept that seems to come across strongly to me in her book (and I've heard it many other places as well) is the assertion that instead of adopting children from foreign countries, we adoptive parents ought to contribute that same amount of money (or more) to family preservation in the child's country in order to keep families together. This is asserting that poverty is the cause of child abandonment, abuse and neglect. In her book she nearly villanizes adoptive families for profiting from another culture/country's poverty through adoption. Now, I want to be sensitive and am in no way saying that poverty is not a horrible thing and that as adoptive parents we should not be trying to make a difference in the world. However, it is difficult to reconcile how money alone could have prevented the neglect/abandonment/abuse of the 100+ million orphans world wide. Humans, regardless of their financial stability, will still make mistakes and still have the potential of being unhealthy both physically and mentally. These are also real reasons that lead to child abandonment/neglect/abuse. The book I am reading also talks about how detrimental adoption is for the adopted child. As an adult adoptee (though through domestic adoption) I have never felt that my adoption was detrimental. Instead, my adoption has been a blessing. It has shaped my life and my desires in many positive ways, including giving me the desire to adopt children who were waiting for parents - similar to the desire of the author of the El Tiempo article. As an adoptee I KNOW with every fiber of my being that my adoptive parents could love me completely while not being a biological relation to me. I knew growing up that I could love a child that same way because I had experienced that kind of parental love so completely. Adoption is many faceted and every adoptee perceives his/her experience individually. That is why it is so important to listen to our children as they express their feelings regarding their adoptions. I think that the adoptive family's world view is equally important when setting the tone to view adoption. As a Christian I view my own adoption (relinquishment, adoption, reunion) as a work that God has been doing in my life for His good, eternal purpose. It has not all been easy for me, but I can trust that He is making something good come from it. I am saddened to read about adult adoptees that cannot imagine this perspective. Sorry to bring up so much. I hope that I have shared my feelings as an adoptee and as an adoptive mom in a sensitive manner. I have just been processing this in relation to our upcoming adoption and the book I am reading and the article made me think of it more. I certainly don't wish to spark a debate, but would love to hear some other feedback regarding these ideas. Has anyone else read the book to which I referred earlier?