But she’s in an orphanage. “Dad” didn’t appear until Madonna did. I don’t think it’s much of a stretch to say that growing up with Madonna (dysfunctions and all) would likely be a better life than either a Malawian orphanage or a father who only got interested when the media spectacle developed. Where was he? He’s never even made the effort to clap eyes on this little girl: if not the cameras, then why now? Did he suddenly remember he had a daughter he wanted to raise? Is there pressure from his family/community that makes him want to look like a model father now? I suspect if these rich white women were just collecting “poor brown orphans”, they’d make an effort to collect poor brown newborns, not older institutionalized kids (who almost always come with some major baggage).

An odd and sad situation, indeed. But I do not agree that wealth automatically equals “a better life.” Madonna is involved in a stunning series of immature relationships with men, which alone should give any judge pause.

Having adopted several children from third world countries, I do know that many of the children in orphanages are unadoptable. They are there for a variety of reasons–perhaps the parents are out of work, or in ill health, or having other problems. Many of these children do eventually go back home to a relative. It’s like what we think of the U.S. foster care system–most of the children in foster care are not adoptable. It’s tough to sever parental rights. That’s both good and bad, obviously.

I try to put myself in the child’s place. If I truly had birthparents that were trying to do their best and did expect to raise me at some point, I’d want to be with them even if they didn’t wear pasties.

It’ll be interesting to see how this all shakes out.

Yes, Madonna should be allowed to adopt the child because the only thing that matters is that she can give them a better life. If only there were more rich women like Madonna and Angelina Jolie to adopt all the poor brown orphans of the world. The only reason the father is coming forward is because of the TV cameras.

/facepalm