Adopt a Highway?

Question

In the U.S. we see these signs all the time. We also get bombarded with requests to, "adopt a needy child for Christmas." The use of the word, "adopt" is this sense is a pet-peeve of mine. I come up with the words to explain why, though. Do these things annoy anyone else? Can you explain why? Thanks.

Answer 1

Adopt a highway, adopt a pet, adopt a build-a-bear, adopt a whale are all ok. But when it comes to children I think there should be a different word. I'm not sure what is is though. I'll have to think about it.

Answer 2

Adopt-a-Highway, Adopt-a-Hydrant.  They all bother me when they are inanimate objects.  The worse that I ever saw was at an arts and craft show at a museum.  A vendor actually had a sign displayed with earrings that said "We need a home, please adopt us."  I was going to say something but I decided it wasn't worth it.  Would they really get it?  I don't mind so much with animals.  They at least are alive and do have histories.  I know more about my cat's past than I do about my own.  Adoption is a big deal, a life changing event. It's not a road, a fire hydrant or a pair of earrings.

Answer 3

I always feel a little twinge of sadness anytime I see the word used in any context. Some bug me more then others - the campaign that really gets my goat is "Adopt a trash can"

Answer 4

I know what you mean.  For some reason I've always recoiled when I hear the word.   I too, don't have the words to explain why - it's just something deeply ingrained in me that causes the reaction

Answer 5

For some reason the highway one doesn't bother me.  Maybe because I've always had a lot of respect for Mother Earth, and caring for her.

I get more irritated, and sort of sad (for today's little adoptees) when I see things like my daughter's Happy Meal box from McDonald's.  The current prizes (for girls) are some 'pets' called Fur Real.  On the box, a web site address is given to register your pet, and get it's 'adoption papers'.  Ugh.  

Of course I know it's a clever way for marketers to retrieve information from potential customers, but to children it means ownership.

Answer 6

The word ADOPT came into the English language from Old French, and they got it from the Latin "opinio" (to think) or possibly from "optare" (to choose)...and our modern day words ADOPT, OPT, and OPTION all imply choice.  

I most certainly did not have any choice in my adoption, not as a newborn nor as an adult.  I don't like the word ADOPT as it applies to people raised by someone other than their natural parents.  That is the usage of this word that offends me.

I am just fine with:  adopt a puppy, adopt a highway, adopt a tree, etc.

Answer 7

Maybe there should be a specific word for adopting kids.

The definition I looked up was "to chose, or select as one's own".  So it is correct usage in the case of puppies, highways etc...and I don't think it is meant to be offensive.  I guess it is just the limits of the English language.  I can see how using it this  all inclusive way  could feel demeaning.  The word for us means so much more.

Answer 8

Because it's advertising the trafficking of human children fro profit.

Your moral compass is strong and anyone with morals, yes it will bug you.

Everyone else just doesn't care or wants to buy a child and does not care where it came from..

Thank you for restoring a little of my faith in humanity.

Answer 9

The concept behind the word "adopt" over the years has come to refer to adopting another human being into one's family.  To equate that with something like streets is dehumanizing.  I agree that sponsoring is a much better concept to use in helping out with such matters.  But, I guess the societal concept of adoption implies "it's mine" along with the idea of a responsibility and the "good vibes" of doing something to help that many in society equate with adoption.  This, perhaps, is thought to help ensure that people with follow through with the commitments they make to these causes.  I suppose that's supposed to make up for the dehumanization part of it.

Cabbage patch dolls and similar toys are disgusting to me.  It's one thing to have a doll.  It's another thing to have a doll that touts adoption to be nothing but sunshine and flowers.  That is the only view of adoption most members of society ever see.  The name alone implies the idea that adoptees have no history or identity prior to the adoption.  They  don't come from mothers and fathers, they grow in a cabbage patch!  Hurt first parents, dismissed adoptees and frustrated adoptive parents are the part of adoption most would rather keep in the closet.  The fact that these dolls come complete with amended birth certificates is a real kick in the identities of adopted persons, and it further implies that those first parents just don't exist.  Ownership spews from these toys.

Answer 10

I am an adoptive parent, but I also cringe when I hear the word "adopt" when referring to other things.  I never used to be that way.  It has only been since we went thru the adoption process with our son.  

The "adopt a highway" one doesn't bother me as much as the kids' toys that someone else referred to.  While I did have my own Cabbage Patch doll when I was younger, the idea of that toy now makes me cringe.  I had heard a few years ago that there was actually a big name toy store in NY that has a "hospital" set up in their toy section with the sales clerks dressed as nurses so that children could go in and "adopt" a doll.  That made me ill to some degree also.

So, I guess the answer to your question is that even as an adoptive parent, the over-use or mis-use of the term adoption also bothers me.

Answer 11

It makes me want to cringe.  Highways, puppies, even those atrocious Cabbage Patch Kids.  YUCK.

I think that just as in adoption of children, people like the idea of being able to take ownership of something, of being able to put their names on a sign, on a piece of paper, of being able to take charge and be in control.  I REALLY hate the "adopt a homeless family" for Christmas...it turns my stomach.  Why not "sponsor" a homeless family instead?  That word gives much more dignity IMO.

As for adopting highways, well, I guess I don't like to be lumped in with inanimate objects as a group of adoptees.  Now I'm seeing things like "Adopt a Park" or "Adopt a Stream".  Where does it end?  It kind of devalues human adoptees as people when we're out adopting everything under the sun.

Answer 12

my take is that adoption has become a part of who we are, how we were shaped growing up. and to think of it in terms of cleaning up someone elses mess (the highway, not the family) is offensive. we are someone elses mess to come along and tidy up and make look all pretty.

as for the family example, maybe its because its so cut and dry, they need help-so help them. you cant just swoop in and make life all rosey and then leave again. adoption is more than that. it is a lifetime presence.

does that make sense? i personally have never even thought of this before. i will now {{{thanks, one more thing to harp on, LOL!!!}}}

people are very free with words, they say things they dont mean and toss around ideas that seem 'nice and helpful'

i dont think anyone truly means any harm by it, they just dont think it though