Critics of adoption practices are accused of all sorts of heinous beliefs and acts. "How dare you put down adoption and sentence more children to languish in an orphanage in (fill in the blank)?", some people rage. Isn't that placing the blame in the wrong place? Should we really blame those who try to "clean up" adoption? Is our indignation directed at the wrong people?

When adoptions slow down or halt in other countries, isn't it because people who facilitate adoptions in those country have messed up and gotten caught? Aren't they the villains who deserve the blame when adoptions halt in a country? Should we give them a pass so that more children will get adopted, and not worry about whether or not, the facilitators and agencies are guilty of unethical, shoddy practices?

How about the parents who do not honor their obligations to report back on how their children are faring? Are they blameless? Do they share any of the blame?

Adoption should be a respected, honorable institution, and sometimes it is. However, why should we allow unethical and shady practices to thrive? Is adoption so holy that we should promote it without reservation and not try to improve and reform it?

Maybe someone can explain this phenomena to me because quite frankly, I do not understand it. Perhaps it is somewhat like branding someone a traitor to their country if they question anything their government does? Like war, for instance.

I love my country, but, do not always agree with every political move that government officials deem proper. Does that mean I am a traitor to my country? No, it means that I love my country and want it to be the best that it can be.

Just as I love my country, I love children, and want what is best for them. Part of what that means is that I want children of adoption to be involved in adoptions that are strictly ethical and in their best interests. Relaxing standards just does not seem fair to our children. They deserve better.