Tuesday, March 17, 2015
The Dropbox Adoption Movie Review
When a Korean man named Pastor Lee became the father of a
boy with severe special needs, he wondered why God had chosen to give him this
child, but quickly changed his heart and accepted his son as a gift. Pastor Lee,
inspired by his son, saw that within his neighborhood, infants were being left
alone and untended, and he came to believe that children with special needs
were perhaps more likely to be treated in this way.
The recent documentary, The Dropbox, shares the history of
how he began these efforts. He also shares his process – the children are
brought to social services, and then enter foster care.
The documentary is more balanced than I was expecting. It
raises questions, perhaps most importantly asking, how a system like this can be
helping kids when it allows for them to be left without detailed records and no
way to reconnect with their birth family. Pastor Lee’s answer acknowledge that
his system is not ideal, and he looks forward to a day when his society changes
to be more accepting of the pregnant young women, when they will no longer feel
pressured to hide their maternity.
The film ends with a collage of children who were placed in
this man’s box, who are now thriving to different degrees.
How Does This Connect
to Adoption?
The man is an adoptive parent, and it seems that many of the
children that have gone through his home have also been adopted.
Strong Points
The man is kind and good-intentioned. He believes that his
society does not value the lives of children with special needs as much as it
ought. He believes that life is sacred, and so he acts in accordance with his
beliefs to protect these children. He believes that each life has a purpose,
and notes that children with severe disabilities are able to change, teach, and
challenge us.
The film doesn’t blindly approve of his method of helping.
It acknowledges that background information is lost, and even asks whether this
system is ultimately positive. The film seems to suggest that it’s not ideal,
but that it is an improvement over what had been happening in his neighborhood.
One young boy is particularly inspirational, in that he has
overcome significant physical disabilities and teasing at school in order to
become successful, popular, and class president.
Challenges
The letters that accompanied some of the infants left with
Pastor Lee are read. They are sad letters, flowing with parental guilt and
shame. The emotions are real, but may be uncomfortable for some viewers with
grief due to loss connected to similar circumstances.
A story is related to illustrate Pastor Lee’s view of his
culture which may be very hurtful to some viewers, perhaps especially young
kids. We are told that a baby died in the care of a hospital. One worker cried,
and a nurse unfathomably asked, “Why are you crying? It’s only an orphan.” The
story is told to illustrate the environment at the time, but it’s hard to hear.
One child explains, “I don’t know my birth parents. The
parents who raised me are my real parents.” I like that this kid is thriving in
his current home – and he really is! He’s also sounding well-adjusted to his
adoption. I struggle with his choice of words, and young viewers might not
realize that it’s OK to view birth parents and adoptive parents as “real
parents.”
Weak Points
The film’s name is unfortunate. “Dropbox” sounds too similar
to “garbage bin.” The intent of the box, and of the film is more thoughtful
than the name suggests, and I think the film probably alienates some of the
adoption community simply through being unfortunately titled.
Recommendations
There’s such a focus on abandonment in this film that I
don’t think I would recommend it for most kids. Children who have been adopted
might be impacted by the film in a painful way. Children who haven’t been
adopted might confuse abandonment with adoption. For adults, and perhaps for
teens, the film is an invitation to ponder on the value of life, the need to
protect it, and the implications of the ways we choose to act to protect it.
Questions for
Discussion
The Dropbox has been received differently by different viewers. Some people say it’s
wonderful that Pastor Lee is helping kids. Others criticize him for perhaps
making it easier for children to be abandoned. Others would say that the
children are already being abandoned, and he is acting in an imperfect
situation. What do you think?
This film encourages viewers to face their prejudices. How
should respond to children with severe and profound delays and special needs?
What law changes in the US could help adoptees directly?
Which could help adoptees indirectly by shaping culture?
The film suggests that being abandoned as an infant won’t
necessarily condemn a child to a miserable life. What do you think?
What can you do to help?
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