Actress Sandra Bullock is the mom of 8-year-old Louis and 5-year-old Laila, whom she adopted from the foster care system. Bullock is a huge proponent of adoption and is a supporter of organizations like Alliance for Children’s Rights, which provides free legal aid and advocacy for kids who are suffering from poverty, abuse and neglect.
“There are so many kids out there who badly want to have families,” Bullock told People in 2015. “What’s heartbreaking is that some of these kids don’t get love. It’s our duty to help.”
Now, the actress is once again speaking out about adoption, this time about the importance of the language we use surrounding it. Specifically, Bullock believes that we should stop referring to children as “adopted children,” noting that a qualifier is not necessary.
As part of an interview with InStyle, the actress was asked whether she believes the situation for foster kids seeking adoption is improving.
“Not quickly enough,” she told the magazine. “Look: I’m all for Republican, Democrat, whatever, but don’t talk to me about what I can or can’t do with my body until you’ve taken care of every child who doesn’t have a home or is neglected or abused. It makes me teary-eyed.”
Bullock went on to emphasize that all kids are just kids, regardless of how they came to be a part of their family.
“Let’s all just refer to these kids as ‘our kids.’ Don’t say ‘my adopted child.’ No one calls their kid their ‘IVF child’ or their ‘oh, sh**, I went to a bar and got knocked-up child.’ Let just say, ‘our children,'” she suggested.
She makes a great point! Her children are just as much her children as they would be if she had conceived and given birth to them. Kudos to Bullock on her inclusive stance!
What do you think of Bullock’s suggestion?