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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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 OPINION 
6

Madonna's Adoption Only Hurts Malawi

'Misguided' Material Mom should use international adoption as a 'last resort'

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(Newser) – By adopting Mercy James, Madonna has actually endangered other Malawian orphans, writes Anna Feuchtwang in the Daily Mail. “Corrupt adoption agencies and child traffickers, newly alerted to the ease with which Malawian laws can be circumvented, are even now planning to target the country,” writes Feuchtwang, chief executive of a charity that helps families stay together, citing examples of orphans sold into “forced labor or prostitution.”

“Mercy may have gained the ultimate Material Girl as her new mum, but I fear she might have lost far more,” Feuchtwang continues. As opposed to Mercy’s “fairy tale” life with Madonna, “children prosper best within their own families and communities, however poor they are” and a “misguided” Madonna would do more good by giving children like Mercy “a future among the families that love them.”

In this April 19, 2007 file photo, Madonna carries David Banda at Consol Homes, a day care center that she is funding in the village of Masekese, Malawi.
In this April 19, 2007 file photo, Madonna carries David Banda at Consol Homes, a day care center that she is funding in the village of Masekese, Malawi.   (AP Photo/Karel Prinsloo)
Madonna holds her adopted son David as they meet with the boy's biological father, Yohane Banda, left, at a lodge where the pop star is staying in Malawi, Monday March 30, 2009.
Madonna holds her adopted son David as they meet with the boy's biological father, Yohane Banda, left, at a lodge where the pop star is staying in Malawi, Monday March 30, 2009.   (AP Photo/Tom Monroe)
In this April 17, 2007 file photo, Madonna holds her adopted son David Banda in her arms as her daughter Lourdes, looks on, at the Home of Hope orphanage in Mchinji, Malawi.
In this April 17, 2007 file photo, Madonna holds her adopted son David Banda in her arms as her daughter Lourdes, looks on, at the Home of Hope orphanage in Mchinji, Malawi.   (AP Photo/Karel Prinsloo, File)
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I believe the country needs fewer institutions, not more. There is much evidence to show that children in care are more likely to fall prey to dangerous sexual practices than those brought up in their own families. - Anna Feuchtwang

We are also witnessing the rise of a distressing new phenomenon dubbed the Madonna Effect, in which destitute mothers abandon their babies in the hope that they will be adopted by wealthy foreign mothers. - Anna Feuchtwang

I have no wish to vilify Madonna. I have huge sympathy with her desire to help the orphans of Malawi. However, I think she is misguided. International adoption should be used only as a last resort. It is not a sustainable solution. - Anna Feuchtwang

Grinding poverty does not deprive them of the right to raise their children. Madonna seems to be making a simple yet pernicious equation: 'If you are poor, you cannot look after your kids.'
- Anna Feuchtwang

I do not wish to decry Madonna's efforts, but she should have spoken to those of us who have worked for years within these stricken communities. Instead, she set up her own charity to help children in Malawian orphanages.
- Anna Feuchtwang

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6 comments
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kirei_gaisuto
Jun 18, 09 11:00 AM CDT
The idea that children prosper best with their families isn't true. That's the logic judges use to keep children around the same crappy moms and dads who abuse and neglect them. I can't tell you how many loving caring foster parents have children given back to their drugged out bio parents because it's "better for the child to be with it's mother." I don't know Mercy's situation and I don't know how good of a parent Madonna will be. But if Mercy is happier with Madonna and can grow up with better opportunity then it's a good thing for her. Reply
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Iskios
Jun 18, 09 11:22 AM CDT
I agree. I hate how this whole Madonna thing has been turned into some social wrong done by a woman who is now going to raisea couple of children who may one day return to this country with her money and do some good. It has to start somewhere, and if Madonna's adoption draws attention to the plight of these children and others decide to help, it will be a good thing. Is it possible that bad people will also be drawn to this, yes, but try to name anything, in Africa and here, that doesn't also attract the scum bags if they can make money at it.
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sache
Jun 18, 09 11:47 AM CDT
What has Anne Feuchtwang actually done to help Malawian orphan other than write negative artcles about Madonna ? I am not a Madonna fan but i find self righteous, i know what's best for the world, without doing a damn thing about it just as annoying. If Madonna is a good mom to Mercy that all i care about. Let Feuchtwang do something for children like Mercy , then maybe i'll give a listen. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
flame821
Jun 18, 09 8:44 PM CDT
Anne Feuchtwang strikes me as the PETA of adoption. Rather see them dead than placed in any situation that SHE doesn't agree with.
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TerrifiedCitizen
Jun 18, 09 1:23 PM CDT
How could it be good any more to cavort with Madonna? Reply
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