Resources - Get Mad/Glad

City Press’ “Open your heart and your home” (24/05/09, p. 34) addresses a subject seldom touched on in the news media - adoption.  The article, written by Refiloe Serai, is one to be glad of. 

The article demonstrates that there are plenty children in need of homes, especially in the light of HIV/AIDS.  Because the number of children needing homes outnumbers the number of families willing to adopt nationally, foreign adoption is presented as an option for placing children in caring homes. 

The lack of formal adoption - as opposed to “informal adoption” -  by Black families due to cultural reasons is also discussed.  It is explained that given the number of Black children needing homes and lack of Black adoptees, Black children are increasingly placed with families from other races.  A White couple who have adopted Black children are accessed for their views.  The experience of adoption is presented as a rewarding one through their story. 

The process of adoption is discussed both in the article and through bullet points. This will be useful to couples or single people interested in adopting and may also encourage people who may otherwise be put off from doing so, for various reasons.

Regrettably, in this article the children do not speak about what their experiences are. Cross-cultural adoption is long-standing trend, so older children may have interesting things to say of their experiences.  The article could have been improved by including the views and experiences of (older) children themselves and/or adults who had been adopted as children.

This article is well-researched, accesses a number of sources, gives practical advice and is generally a great piece.  Media Monitoring Africa commends both City Press and Refiloe Serai and hopes that many children will get homes through this article.

-Sandra Roberts