Talking about adoption, birthparents, abandonment, race, and China with my kids. That's not all we talk about -- but reading this blog, you'll think it's all we do!!!!!
Ok, I really tried not to - but I had to comment on that adoptive parent's blog. Not only were the things she said appalling - they were down right untrue! There is help out there for adoptive parents - its not always easy or perfect or enough, but it is out there - and Ms Hansen didn't appear to even look for it. Ugh!
Re: Donna's post @ Double Happiness - I wouldn't go so far as to defend Ms. Hansen, but there is definitely more to this story. Many of us had an inital emotional reponse, but we have to move beyond that response to dig into deeper analysis and towards reasoned solutions. Harlow's Monkey and Dawn @ This Woman's Work say very well what I tried to say on my own blog. You probably give this incident the analysis it deserves, but there are plenty of people ready to crucify Ms. Hansen without realizing how complicit we all are in the system. International adoption has winners and losers. I've been lucky to be one of the winners. Very very lucky. As always, thanks for your insight and for pursuing the truth!
Yes, I had to comment on the adoptive parent's blog too. Couldn't help myself. As reports state, Hansen didn't attempt to get help for Artyom, and that, to me, is unconscienable.
It should always ALWAYS be about the child first, and clearly in this case it sure wasn't.
I was really shocked to hear the "Buddha Baby" comment on NPR. I thought they could do better. Do the father and the editors at that organization not see how this is clearly an objectification of an Asian child. I don't think I would have heard a similar comment about a Caucasian child.
Here is an excellent blog counterpoint to the blog that defends Hansen's actions -- by an adoptive parent of several older children, including a recent adoption of two older girls from Kazakhstan.
Ok, I really tried not to - but I had to comment on that adoptive parent's blog. Not only were the things she said appalling - they were down right untrue! There is help out there for adoptive parents - its not always easy or perfect or enough, but it is out there - and Ms Hansen didn't appear to even look for it. Ugh!
ReplyDeleteRe: Donna's post @ Double Happiness - I wouldn't go so far as to defend Ms. Hansen, but there is definitely more to this story. Many of us had an inital emotional reponse, but we have to move beyond that response to dig into deeper analysis and towards reasoned solutions. Harlow's Monkey and Dawn @ This Woman's Work say very well what I tried to say on my own blog. You probably give this incident the analysis it deserves, but there are plenty of people ready to crucify Ms. Hansen without realizing how complicit we all are in the system. International adoption has winners and losers. I've been lucky to be one of the winners. Very very lucky. As always, thanks for your insight and for pursuing the truth!
ReplyDeleteYes, I had to comment on the adoptive parent's blog too. Couldn't help myself. As reports state, Hansen didn't attempt to get help for Artyom, and that, to me, is unconscienable.
ReplyDeleteIt should always ALWAYS be about the child first, and clearly in this case it sure wasn't.
I was really shocked to hear the "Buddha Baby" comment on NPR. I thought they could do better. Do the father and the editors at that organization not see how this is clearly an objectification of an Asian child. I don't think I would have heard a similar comment about a Caucasian child.
ReplyDeleteHere is an excellent blog counterpoint to the blog that defends Hansen's actions -- by an adoptive parent of several older children, including a recent adoption of two older girls from Kazakhstan.
ReplyDeletehttp://lajoyfamily.blogspot.com/2010/04/another-russian-adoption-story.html