So, while I don’t particulary like hearing or seeing these kinds of things on Ebay, this is NOT a call to write in and tell these folks how awful they are. For one, I don’t think that much said will really change their point of view, and second, it just makes the people who do look like the mad minority. “We” have already gotten the “credit” for the “nasty” emails etc, and it doesn’t score any points as a legitimate movement.

Fundraising for adoption in general kind of makes me uneasy.

Part of me says that if you can’t afford it, then maybe you shouldn’t do it at all, but the other part of me hates that adoption really does become a financial and class issue. So really then, if the argument that I have against placements that are unnecessary for temporary financial reason is to stand, I have trouble being hypocritical of people based on their financial standings even if they want to adopt. What it comes down to, for both sides is that parenting, good parenting, should not be based on what you have in your IRA’s, your stock portfolio, what neighborhood you live in, the mortgage you can afford, and what you drive, etc.

It is just as wrong in one sense to judge a person who wants to adopt if they don’t have the big bucks as judging a pregnant mother’s ability to care for her child and doesn’t have the big bucks.

What IS interesting about this auction is that it is apparently getting a bit of press. And the one thing that the auctioneer is calling attention to the amount of money generated by adoption agencies,

“We started to look into adoption, and cannot believe the cost involved anywhere from $12,000 to $40,000. I still do not understand, if there are so many adoptable children in the world, why do you have to pay so much to give one a home. All the agencies say they are non-profit, but it doesn’t seem that way.“

I tend to like things that call attention to the money making side of the industry…even if I do find them ..distasteful.

Now granted, I have to fundamentally disagree with the “so many adoptable children in this world”, as if she was looking into a child who was really in need of a home aka foster care placement, then it is pretty much a known fact that fees are greatly reduced than what she is posting. My guess is that they are going for the very elusive voluntary infant placement hence the higher fee range. Ok, not to bare much repeating of myself, we all know my views on that scenario.

I have to wonder what they will end up telling this child, if they manage to garner up the bucks? Currently bidding is at $2,800.00. Who knows what this child’s name will end up being? Will they inform the baby’s natural mother that the rights of naming have already been purchased? Will they explain to the child that

“We wanted you so much that we auctioned off rights to your name to total strangers?”

What’s in a name anyway?

Well, a name to me, is rather a lot. It is a central core of ones identity. I AM Claud. I could not see myself as any other way..lame or not. I take it. The way I look at it, not only is this child now cut off fro their genetic and historical identity, but add to it, that their name is not at all going to be a personal tribute to who they are. Except that it says, in many ways, what is going on about adoption these days. And some might say, at the risk of freaking many out, that is about a purchase of sorts when it is at it’s worse antithesis of ethicalness. One might be able to surmise that their natural family could ill afford them, their adoptive family really couldn’t either, and someone else was able to make that purchase possible and bought the core of their identity to boot. So maybe it IS a personal tribute to who they are…a child lost and won..all for the almighty dollar?

I could probably ramble on some more, but the ladies are skating tonight and I need to watch Miss Sasha!!! Sorry, but the Olympics call. So tawk amougst yourselves!