Madonna has hit back at claims she used her celebrity to bypass Malawian adoption laws, claiming her motivation was geared toward "saving a life".
Speaking to television host David Letterman, the 48-year-old admitted that she and husband Guy Ritchie "were basically creating the laws as we went". But she claimed this was due to the lack of clearly defined adoption laws in the east African nation."There's over a million orphans in Malawi, and in my opinion the laws need to change because these children need to be rescued," she continued.
Meanwhile, US adoption agencies have lent their support to celebrity adoptions, maintaining that it is a good thing so long as it doesn't become viewed as a fad.
"Anytime a celebrity adopts, it increases awareness, which is good," said Susan Secor, a spokesperson at US agency One World Adoption. "They (Madonna and Angelina Jolie) may look like they are saving orphans, which does happen. But most parents just want to become parents. It is a meaningful thing to do, but if it becomes cool, then it may be treated more lightly than it deserves."
