Tuesday, September 23, 2014
A Change of Heart - Adoption Movie Guide
Keith and Kim decide to pursue adoption. Kim is more
invested, and notes that “a million kids out there need a home.”Brittney, a
3-month-old infant, is placed with Keith and Kim – however, Kim is diagnosed
with cancer. When the cancer eventually takes Kim’s life before the adoption is
finalized, Keith must enter into a battle with the adoption agency – their policy
is that single parents not be allowed to adopt.
How is This Relevant
to Adoption or Foster Care?
State laws
and agency policies are (at least theoretically) intended to protect children,
but sometimes the policies do make it difficult for good prospective parents to
adopt. Some people are scared away or prevented from adoption because of policies
like the ones in this film.
Strong Points
Keith
eventually does view himself as a parent, and he defends the “reality” of his
parenthood. While Keith is engaging in a legal battle with the agency, his
family discourages him from continuing. He asks his mother, “How much would you
spend to get me?” His mother counters that it’s “not the same thing,” but Keith
says, “It’s exactly the same. Like any good dad, I’ll go get my kid back.”
Challenges
Keith
and Kim pursue adoption even though Keith is not particularly interested and his
family is unsupportive. It is concerning when assessing a family if their
extended family is opposed to the adoption. It really should be a deal-breaker
if one of the parents doesn’t want to adopt.
The
social workers come across as pretty heartless. I know that this reflects the experience
that some people have – and the fear that others have – of social workers – but
lots of us are nice.
Some
of the legal proceedings (and under-the-table dealings) in the film feel, well,
sleazy. I wonder how often made-for-TV movies are the source of folks’
expectations of adoption.
Weak Points
The
film could have the effect of making the relationship between adopting parents
and adoption agencies far more adversarial than it actually is.
It’s
hard to tell whether Keith is fighting for his own right to parent, or if he’s
actually fighting for what he thinks will be best for Brittney.
Recommendations
There
is always some level of interest when a film involves a single adoptive father,
but the movie is a bit over-emotional, over-dramatized and not super-helpful.
It’s probably a “pass.”
Questions for Discussion after the movie
What are the adoption laws in your state or country?
Why would a person in Keith’s situation go to court – is it child-centered
or self-centered?
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