Tom Cruise and his adopted kids

[private_ryan]

First, I think adopting kids is great and he should be commended, but if you can why not have your own kids too?

Jolie, Speilberg (not sure if he only adopts) are doing it too. Call me old fashion but I want someone with my blood in this earth once I'm gone. You're stuck with me one way or another :)

Is it convinience (pregnancy & birth), a Hollywood trend or both?

[Dookus]

1. I think adoption is fantastic

There are very few, if any, people in the world who really should pass on their genes. For everybody else, there's an abundance of unwanted children in the world.

[gator_in_Ontario]

2. I never thought my genes should continue

no kids! Adoption is fantastic, my brother was adopted and I love him dearly.

[pagerbear]

3. I'm not a parent

...but I've heard parents of adopted kids say they don't give a flying @#$%#$^% whether the kid shares their DNA or not. The kid is THEIR kid, dammit!

[supernova]

4. I think TC and NK did have fertility problems

so it stands to reason that they would adopt.

Also, it boils down to how much you feel you can reasonably juggle kids/work. It would be unfair to have a child and not be able to care for him/her at the expense of someone else. Some people quit at one; others want five, whether they have your genes or not.

[Wickerman]

5. There are so many kids that need homes

and so many people who want kids. I love seeing kids matched up. I have an adopted daughter and rarely think of her as anyone but my own. congrats to Tom and to Nicole - I hope they are good parents.

Maybe Tom thinks his legacy will survive well enough in the celluloid he leaves behind (Lunabush states no opinion on the quality of his film output nor does he mention that Risky Business would've been enough movie for Cruise to have forever been considered a star in LB's book and that everything since was sad).

[radwriter0555]

6. why give birth, which is terribly overrated, when there are millions of

kids who need a home?

Birth is literally a pain in the ass.

I think a genuine gift is adopting a child... and to be noted how the G & L community is fearless about adopting children of color. So many of the G & L parents at our school have multi-racial kids... I just love it.

There is no heroism in giving birth, it's in how we live the life.

[private_ryan]

9. no heroism but it's part of life. That's how we survive

Personally I would like to see my mini me. My blood, my DNA, personality & looks (poor kid) :)

[readmylips]

7. Female actors don't want droopy boobs....

and big stomachs. The rich should adopt more kids. They can afford it.

[private_ryan]

8. as I said

adoption is great. Just trying to see the reasoning behind this trend. If someone can't have kids is different. Adopting in addition to your kids is even better if you can afford it.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

11. Having kids dn't mean droopy boobs and big stomachs anymore...

People work out now. Most of the mothers that got those didn't. A friend of mine from one of my classes had a kid a week and a half ago. Her boobs are nice, plump and a little bit larger than before, and her stomach is already flat again. (I'm not a lesbian, but I can appreciate the female form) And plus, those actresses have enough money for surgery. Besides, look at all the women who've had kids lately. Do Kelly Preston, Uma Thurman, etc have droopy boobs and big stomachs?
Duckie

[private_ryan]

13. "I'm not a lesbian, but I can appreciate the female form"

uh, huh :)

Boobs will take a hit after the kid is born. No doubt about it.

[southerngirlwriter]

10. I would never dream of having a child.

My genes should not be passed on.

Any child of mine would be prone to some or all of the following, if genetic theories are even partially correct:

substance abuse,
obesity,
high blood pressure,
depression,
anxiety,
intelligence of the sort that's a pain and a burden,
hearing loss,

etc., etc., etc.

That's just from me. From the extended family, there's antisocial disorder, psychotic rages, and being a Republican.

No child deserves my genes.

When I'm finally secure, if I ever get there, I want to adopt a child -- an older, "unadoptable" child who is stuck in the foster care system. Sadly, there are many. Their abusive parents have had their parental rights severed, but the child doesn't fit the profile of easily adoptable (healthy white infants) and is basically biding their time in the system until 18 when they'll be booted out.

Some people in my church have adopted four kids who were in this situation.

I will only adopt one (probably), unless I win the lottery. Still, I think it's the best thing I can do for society -- take a child in real trouble and give them a loving home.

My genes? PLEASE. I'm not a sadistic bastard.

[BinkieGirl]

14. It's good to hear this from someone else...

I've had this thought for a long time but every time I have verbalized it friends/family they think it's just low self esteem speaking....

I recently read that depressive disorders tend to intensify from generation to generation and I can't imagine knowinginly giving that kind of battle to a child. (Wish I could find a link, but alas I cannot).

Nobody is saying that I couldn't be a parent, I just don't want to create a baby....of course as I get older I realize more and more that have absolutely no desire for human children. My cats will do just fine, thank you.

I love kids, but I'm more a renter than an owner, if you know what I mean. :)

[populistmom]

12. I think it's a personal choice

I have gotten pregnant very easily and am fortunate enough to have very cute, smart, and healthy (albiet sometimes hyper) children. Birth for me has been no picnic (c-sections after very long labors), but I love being a mom and being able to give life and nurse my babies and care for my children.

Adoption isn't something I have had the need to seek, but if there was ever a situation where another child came into my life and I felt this child truly needed me, I would do it, but I'm not looking for something like that either. We don't have plans for more, but in different circumstances, I could see being open to it in my life even again, not that I'm seeking that out either. I'm not perfect by a long shot, but I do love being a mom and I think overall, I'm doing a darn good job at it. I'm one of those people with a lot of energy who is very nurturing and loves challeges (in other words, I think made to be a parent).

Oh as far as the looks thing, I think I look pretty good. Probably a lot younger than my chronological age and especially given my life experiences (clean living and good genes I guess). I don't know if I'll ever have a completely flat tummy again (and my boobs haven't been super perky since I was 15 because when you are naturally endowed, that's pretty rare anyway). Overall though, I take care of myself and I'm healthy and don't seem to have a problem with men finding me attractive, so I don't have to be perfect (whatever the hell "perfect" means?) to like myself.

[LWolf]

15. Parenting is overrated.

Just my opinion, of course.

I say that as the mother of 2 grown sons that I adore. But...

There are more than 6 billion people in the world. We don't need to go forth and multiply. The species isn't in any trouble.

People who love children, love to spend time with them more than spending time on other adult interests, and who are well-balanced and have the time, good sense, and love to give them, should be parents.

Too many people want to be parents for the wrong reasons.

Too many babies are born without caregivers. People who want to share their lives with children can find many unwanted children who need someone to share their lives with them without having their own.

And, while I adore my own, I've spent a lifetime working with other people's kids, and I realize that mine aren't any more valuable than the rest.

Not to say that people who want to have their own shouldn't; just that it is equally valid and valuable to adopt, or to choose to be childless for any reason.

[Lindsey]

16. Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman

apparently could not conceive. However, She had a miscarriage towards the end of their marriage. I've heard of that happening - couples are told they can't physically have kids, they then adopt, and then they get pregnant. In any case, I hear they are awesome parents and I think adopting is a wonderful thing for people to do.

[Piperay]

17. NO way would I ever pass my genes along...

my mother's side of the family was literally certifiable and the thought of passing that kind of mental instability along to an innocent child is sickening. If I ever felt I wanted to parent, I would certainly adopt.