Isn’t adoption an option?
This has been bothering me on and off for some years.
Through general observation, I find that many Malaysians do not practice adoption of orphans. Among my many friends, I only know of one who is adopted. And reading thru some forums on a similar subject (i.e. to have or not have kids after marriage), the topic of adoption was never mentioned.
I’m not against people who choose to have their own children nor am I such a big proponent of adoption.
I just find it strange that adoption is almost taboo here, given the fact that we are brought up to always try our best to help others who are in need, those who are less fortunate than ourselves.
Of course, there are other ways of helping orphans. Monetary donations, fostering. But in my opinion, the most important thing that an orphan would need would be a loving family. And if one is capable financially and mentally to take in an orphan and help him/her have a better life, why not adopt? It would be one less orphan that the overcrowded orphanages need to provide for.
I sincerely wish to understand why some people would not accept adopting an orphan, even though they are capable of doing so. I got this comment some years ago “Why would I want to spend my time and money raising someone else’s kid?” I tried to but I do not understand where this person is coming from. Sure, orphans result from someone else’s egg and sperm but these unfortunate children did not choose to be orphans so is it wrong to want to help them have a better life? At this point in time, I cannot reconcile this mindset and the ‘help others the best way you can’ value that’s instilled in us.
Look at it another way. What if YOU were unfortunate enough to end up as a young orphan? Wouldn’t you want a kind couple to take you in, give you a better life, and guide you to be a good person?
I personally am open to adopting because I feel that the rewards would be two-fold. One, I would be helping to reduce the no. of orphans and two, I would be helping shape a better human being who will grow up to contribute positively to society (ideally).
Always a pessimistic idealist… the perfectionist… animal lover… dance enthusiast… and snob to people who don’t know me. Coz I’ve got the “proud peacock look”, according to a friend. Ah well… always takes one to know one, no? 
