Madonna’s Adoption Controversy: Round 2

By Sarah Matheny on June 23rd, 2009

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This weekend, Madonna’s second adopted child from the nation of Malawi arrived at her new home in England.

Madonna fought Malawian courts for the right to adopt the 3 year-old girl, Madonna has renamed “Mercy James,” due to the court’s initial finding that Madonna failed to meet residency requirements.

The adoption, like Madonna herself, is not without its controversy.  When Madonna adopted her son, David Banda, from Malawi in 2006, rumors swirled of special treatment for the superstar and second thoughts from the boy’s family back home.  Malawi citizens imply these same issues may come to bear this go around as well.

Celebrity adoptions have always struck me as unusual.  When it comes to parenting, celebrities are not exactly renowned for their “hands on” approach, and many have multiple nannies and/or other staff who tend to the children.  In fact, in Madonna’s case, she herself did not accompany her newly adopted daughter on the flight to Britain, but a nanny, nurse and assistant chaperoned the child.  This is coupled with the fact that Madonna begins a seven-week European tour on July 4.  Perhaps Mercy can help hold the cone-shaped bra from the wings backstage?

Another issue that bears light is that children of superstars often are hounded by paparazzi, and as they grow up may be plagued by serious problems as a result of the constant attention.  Having pictures of a walk to the park may seem harmless in comparison to communicable disease and poverty back home, but in Malawi, Mercy’s parent isn’t making out with Britney Spears in front of millions of people.  At least, I don’t think he is.

Maybe if celebrities want to make a difference in the lives of children in impoverished countries, they shouldn’t be adopting  and taking them away from their home, but instead working to make their home countries a better place for that child AND their families.

After all, blood is still thicker than water, even if that water is $10,000/month supply of Kaballah water.