Open for Discussion Blog Week 1

An issue that has been discussed recently was whether or not couples should be banned from adopting children overseas. I have been considering for a long time about adopting a girl from China further in the future and to think that this could be banned, breaks my heart.

In my opinion, I don’t see what is wrong with this. I think that helping out the crowded orphanages in places like China, Russia, Korea, and Mexico to save children is a great concept. For couples who are not able to have children, this is a wonderful option to have. Not to mention, it allows these kids to have the comfort and security of growing up in a loving home. Many argue against this and say that it takes away from their original culture but I think that growing up in a loving place is hands down more important for a child and for their future. That, in the long run, will be more beneficial for them and that is what is the most important. Most children are found to be perfectly happy with being a part of two different cultures. In fact, a family that I know adopted a daughter from China four years ago and they have made it so that she understands the Chinese culture and her culture as an American so she understands her identity. She knows that she is Chinese and she has a playmate that is as well which makes the adjustment better for her.

For example, Romania isn’t allowing any more international adoptions and Guatemala has had some change in mind towards international adoption as well due to “claims of corruption and human trafficking.” However, banning adoption really isn’t the answer to this. By getting rid of international adoption, people who are desperate are more likely to try something illegal to get what they want which could cause more trouble.

So why ban something that can be more beneficial than hurtful? In my eyes, international adoption is a positive thing for both the children being adopted and the families adopting them. They receive the loving care that they need and deserve while the families benefit from having a child to love in their home of a new, fascinating culture. By keeping international adoption legal, an orphaned child can have a happier, bicultural future.

Some resources that I found were:

http://international.adoption.com/

http://www.idebate.org/debatabase/topic_details.php?topicID=313

Letter of Introduction

August 28, 2009

Dear Stephanie,

I hope you are doing well! I am enjoying my time here at ICC and my classes are very enjoyable. During my first semester at ICC, I am hoping to become familiar with the building so I don’t get lost all of the time. I also want to make new friends in my classes. I hope that during this class I will be able to improve my writing and grammar so that I may become a better writer. This would be very helpful because writing is used in so many instances in everyday life . I also want to become a more creative writer because I desire to have an established form of writing that grabs people’s attention.

I would like to start off by sharing my background and family with you. I am an only child and I live with my parents, Bruce and Julie. I have a black lab named Odus who is six. I have lived in Washington, Illinois my entire life and I went to Central Grade School from kindergarden through my eighth grade year. I was on the cheer squad/dance team my eighth grade year as well. I graduated from there and went to Washington Community High School where I graduated with Honors in the Spring of 2009. During my sophomore year, I met the guy that I am dating now and we have been together for 3 years. His name is Justin and he is my best friend and a great boyfriend. I was a cheerleader for four years and a Pantherette for three while at WCHS. Now I am at ICC and I am planning on staying here for a year to two years until I transfer to Lincoln Christian University. My major is psychology and I was to be a Christian family/marriage counselor.

I have a passion for helping people and furthering my relationship with God. I have attended Calvary Mennonite Church my whole life and I was baptized my eighth grade year. I have gone on two mission trips with my youth group and they both have truly changed my life and opened my eyes. I have realized that by learning things away from home, you can bring them back and apply them to everyday life. It gave me a chance to experience a new culture and help people along with ministering to them. I am able to use that to help those around me at home. I can’t wait to see how God is going to open my eyes and use me here at ICC. I am open to learning and I think He has amazing things in store for my future.

Sincerely,

Ashley Schrock