What do you think of adoption?

**phoenixrising** · 11-30-2005, 12:53 PM

I commented a bit about this in the anti-breeding thread, but I'd like to see what more people think about it.

For the past few years, my mind has been gradually changing regarding children in my future. I come from a very large extended family that has high expectations for procreation, but I am against "breeding" myself. I'd rather adopt, as many of my friends from college have. Their kids are of all races and nationalities, beautiful, smart and have the same values as their parents.

When I tell my grandmother about my future intentions, she gets disgusted at the thought. She claims adopted children won't be "one of us"...and that saddens me. I like to think that anyone I may bring into my family some day will be "one of us", regardless of if he or she is even the same race, let alone the same genes.

What do you think of adoption? Do you think people who can have children should adopt? Would you do it? Have you? How important is passing on your own genes to you?

**macul** · 11-30-2005, 12:55 PM

I've thought about adoption. Frankly, I think there are too many kids out there who need help. I guess it would be nice to pass on my genes (though the rest of the world might not agree), but at the same time I have a difficult time reconciling the number of kids who actually need to be adopted.

**nervmeister** · 11-30-2005, 12:56 PM

You should definitely adopt! There are a lot of starving children out there. I have nothing against it whatsoever.

**nubly** · 11-30-2005, 12:57 PM

well we have a coworker here who adpoted a little girl since she cannot have children. she brags about how the extra income from the state pays off her SUV payment and how she has so much extra money to waste. she does know that once the adoption papers go through the money will stop though. but she complains how she cannot get extra money from another adoption another child because her boyfriend has two kids of his own that live with them. other than that, i think adoption is a good thing. but i wouldnt adopt a child. my genes would just be wasted

**Dom** · 11-30-2005, 12:57 PM

I'd consider it.

As I understand, it's a bitchload of work to actually get a kid.

The only problem I would have is explaining to my grandmother how two Italians ended up with a Japanese baby.

**Archyduke** · 11-30-2005, 12:58 PM

My brother and I were both adopted, and for the most felt no particular estrangement from our family. My aunts, uncles, grandparents, parents, cousins, etc., have always treated us with warmth, love, and respect... if that's not sufficiently "familial", then, I suppose its still quite good.

**Puma** · 11-30-2005, 01:00 PM

Collin and I always said (when we first got married and thought about kids) would be that we'd adopt. There's too many children, especially non-infants, that need a good home which we could provide. My folks always said they had no problem with it and I believe them. Collin's folks also said that but qualified it with "you'll get a white child right?".

My best friend from high school and his wife can't have kids but they won't adopt because his folks say "it won't be our grandchild", why should genetics matter so much?

**phoenixrising** · 11-30-2005, 01:02 PM

Originally Posted by Archyduke

My brother and I were both adopted, and for the most felt no particular estrangement from our family. My aunts, uncles, grandparents, parents, cousins, etc., have always treated us with warmth, love, and respect... if that's not sufficiently "familial", then, I suppose its still quite good.

As it should be. I, for one, love the fact that adopted children are definitely wanted children. (unlike my brother and I - the "birth control mishaps")