Madonna Adopts A Baby - Like A Virgin

This week it was Dave and Tim's turn to present something from the news to the group, and they had the Madonna adoption story in store for us.

It is quite a controversial subject for many reasons. Some feel it's a publicity stunt, some feel that with her lifestyle, can she offer the child a decent family life? some think she is treating it like a 'fashion accessory', others argue that there are plenty of children in this country who need a family.

What was interesting was the way that Tim and Dave decided to present the article from the perspective of the Independant, which, in contrast to last week's article from The Sun, tries to keep a neutral tone. This really left the topic open for everyone to make up their own mind.

In my personal opinion, I don't feel Madonna deserves the criticism that she has come under. I don't someone like Madonna really needs to try and pull a publicity stunt, it's not exactly a Big Brother contestant adopting a child is it?! She is giving a child in an orphanage a new life, one he could never have dreamed of in a million years, and she is donating a hell of a lot of money to help others in the same scenario. She isn't doing anything wrong!

I do, however, agree that there are plenty of children in this country who need a family, and that is important people do not over look this fact. Such a high profile celebrity could inspire others to adopt children from African orphanages, and give the British children in need of help less of a chance of finding a family.

Madonna has also managed to raise awareness of the conditions in which people live in some areas of Africa, which are simply unacceptable. This is another positive factor in the whole 'is it right, is it wrong' debate. Hopefully it will make people more thoughful of the people in Africa, and that more will be done to help them out.