In my last blog, referring to various obituaries written about Patrick Swayze, I talked about how calling attention to a person’s adoption without reason can seem to make a false distinction between permanently adopted family members and other permanent family members.
Respect for the concept of permanence is also why I was a bit sad to receive a catalog in the mail yesterday. The National Wildlife Foundation suggests giving your child an “adoption kit” for Christmas. This will include a stuffed animal (size dependent on the price level you choose). In a more “deluxe adoption”, you will receive a book telling more about your animal.
I’ve written before about my conversion from my original stance: that people who objected to the term “adopt-a-highway”, a whale, or whatever, were being too picky and making mountains out of molehills. The confusion comes when children—adopted or not—hear the word adoption used for things which are not permanent. There have been children who have asked their parents if they will “return them” and try another child some time, in the same way the family chose to “adopt” a giraffe instead of a whale this year. Put yourself in these children’s minds for a moment.
The NWF does appear, on closer examination, to be taking adoptive families’ concerns into account in a small way. Their fine print reads “this symbolic adoption”. The addition of the term symbolic does differentiate between a legal permanent adoption of a human being, at least for kids past the age of playing with stuffed animals anyway. The small bit of goodwill I felt at this acknowledgement was diminished when I read the next page, telling of a sort of “adoption of the month” club, in which you can enroll your child, who will then receive a new animal and adoption certificate every month.
Perhaps these gifts may have a place in giving to older people who fully understand the meaning of “symbolic”. They can be an educational tool, creating awareness of the needs of animals who may be endangered. Even so, I really believe that these programs should be changed to read “sponsor”. Wouldn’t a recipient be just as pleased with a “friend of the month” club?
Please see this related blog: