Oprah

Do you ladies think that the slowdown with China adoptions has anything to do with the publicity it received on Oprah's talkshow? I've heard that since Oprah did a show on adopting from China (which I did not see), the adoptions have skyrocketed. If so, what are your feelings on that?

I know a while back there was a thread questioning our feelings on the big fad of celebrity adoptions and how that has significantly increased the number of international adoptions, but I think this is a little different.....

Re: Oprah

Hmm...

I don't know if Oprah has THAT much influence/power....I just think adoption has become more acceptable and then seeing celebrities adopting and then adding an Oprah show and it becomes a accumulation of situations. I remember Tom Cruise and Nicole adopting--as one of the first set of celebs--then Jolie and now Meg Ryan..who have I missed?

The letter we received mentioned that instead of the monthly matching of families and babies-it is now down to one week a month....to me that is a big reason why they are so behind--adding in the increase of applications etc...

also, I did not see the show Oprah did....

Message edited 6/2/2006 8:57:22 AM.

Re: Oprah

Honestly, my wait has increased by almost doubling because of the attention brought to Ethiopia/African adoptions and I am willing to sacrifice so that more children can find their homes.
Meg Ryan also recently adopted from China..it got a lot of attention. I believe that Oprah does have enough "pull" to change things like wait times or change people's minds about adoption. But I am okay with it since it doesn't mean that I won't get my baby..it just means I have to wait a bit longer.

Re: Oprah

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I think seeing the celebs adopting is a great pull for others to adopt, but I don't think Oprah can influence the wait times..??? but she can/will confirm the idea of adoption for people considering adoption by her 'backing' the idea of adoption with having adoption segments on her show. I don't 'follow' Oprah, and I don't need Oprah to confirm my thoughts etc....where as others may.

I think Jolie/Pitt are great advocaters for adoption....

all these children need homes, and it is a blessing that more people are adopting. We want to start the process for #2 already, and we already contacted the agency, but we can't do it yet...so we inquired about adopting siblings---which is an option!

Re: Oprah

Sandra, that would be GREAT if you could adopt siblings. Aaw....I hope you can do it!

Latest on the celeb list is -- take a deep breath -- Michael Jackson -- he has expressed an interest in adopting a baby boy from Japan.

Re: Oprah

Michael Jackson--he'll fail the home study!! LOL

Re: Oprah

I was thinking the same thing but you know that money talks sometimes....

Re: Oprah

I don't think Japan has an international program..but I am sure for him they do. Anyone who KNOWING gives him a child should be shot.

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Re: Oprah

re:Michael Jackson adopting

I can't imagine any country would let that happen. The worst thing is that he was never convicted of anything, so who knows.

Re: Oprah - I am not sure she had a total influence on international adoption. I think as more and more people are doing it, it is becoming more and more acceptable. Years ago, most people only adopted not just an american baby, but of the same race, and most of the time same nationality (like Irish to Irish, Italian to Italian, etc). Now, the interracial family is so much more widely accepted, that is is almost a non issue. That was one of the things the social worker went over with us in length, that with our daughter from China we will be an interracial family. I had never even thought of it until she brought it up. Those ignorant people that have a problem with it, well that is their problem, not ours!!

Re: Oprah