On Sesame Street, why does Gina go to Guatamala to adopt?

Question

I saw this while my kids were watching and became curious. Do they ever go into why she has to go to Guatamala to adopt instead of adopting domestically?

Answer 1

Have you ever tried to adopt domestically? We did, and it was a total nightmare. Miles and miles of red tape, and a system that wanted us to do short term foster care for troubled teens for several years before they would even consider us to adopt any child.

We were asked to take s*x offenders, animal abusers, teens with multiple personalities, and one that liked to start fires.

  We are thankful every day  for our daughter from China.

To all of those who spout off to me about "kids here need homes"......please go and adopt a few yourself.

Answer 2

I think the writers are trying to raise awareness of adoption and also to "legitimize" adoption in the mind of the public.

As an adoptive parent, I'm glad that the public is being educated about adoption being a great option to use in growing your family.  My girls have both received odd comments on looking different from us.

I don't know why the character "Gina" chooses Guatemala, though.

Answer 3

Guatemala is 2nd only to China for American over seas adoptions...it is easier and less competative than here in the United States so many couples choose it...I travel frequently to Guatemala on business and flights home are general packed with new parents and thier new babies...babies here are at a premium and most these days dont want toddlers or older children they want babies.

Answer 4

Sesame Street is a childrens show and it is written for all kinds of children. They try to empower children by educating them on a variety of subjects including international adoption by single parents so that the children who are internationally adopted will see that they are not the only child who is adopted, adopted internationally or by a single parent. It gives the children who are adopted a little self esteem boost while it educates non adopted children to accept and not ridicule adopted children for being adopted. We all know children can be cruel and they are quick to jump on any little difference.

I don't think the children who watch Sesame Street really care why Gina chose Guatamala over domestic or another international country. Most domestic adoptions of same race children can pretty much go undetected.

When a child is adopted trans-racially, your family becomes conspicuous. You cannot walk into a store or classroom together without everyone in the room knowing the child is adopted. It's obvious and let me tell you the children tune into it and if your child is not loud and out going and a social giant, they (the other kids)  will crush them with the obvious. Introducing young children to adoption as a normal way of growing a family will hopefully alleviate some of the bullying adopted children will suffer.

I tip my hat to Sesame Street for addressing this issue with the younger children. More and more children shows are bringing this subject to light. Arthur and Friends is bringing a new character to their show. One of the characters gets a baby sister adopted from China.

I hope one day there will be no bias or prejudice towards adopted child be it domestic, trans racial, or international. Unfortunately, there are parents out there who use insensitive language around their children which carries over into the play ground.

Answer 5

I'm sure the reason they didn't go into it is for the same reason they would never discuss the reason for choosing a domestic vs. an internation adoption - it's personal and for every parent it's different.

I believe that Gina is a single Mom.  It is extremely difficult for single parents to adoption in the United States.  Maybe that is why she chose Guatemala.  Who knows.  

I adopted my son from Guatemala.  Why?  Not because it was easier (cause it's not), not because it's cheaper (cause it's not).  My husband and I chose Guatemala because that is where our son was.

Answer 6

It sounds like you have a tinge of predjudice. Does it really matter where / why she adopts? What's your point?

Answer 7

Guatemala is a baby factory.  They actually pay women to squirt out kids for adoption.  My guess is she couldn't get the perfect baby she wanted, and it makes for better television if she goes overseas rather than adopting domestically.

Answer 8

What a politcally motivated question. Why are you wasting brain cells on this? Do you think the kids are gonna have an open forum and discuss this amongst themselves?

This is just a way for the pinko's to make themselves feel more smug and provide them with the "holier than thou" feeling that their mother never gave them.

Focus on a real issue, like what happens to baby food when our dependance on oil reaches level that ensures we cannot feed our children.

Solve that, then sweat the guatamalans.