Jennifer Connelly considering adoption

Actress Jennifer Connelly, 36, who recently finished with her latest movie, Blood Diamond in Mozambique, says that the experience has left a strong mark on her and her children. "I know my elder son [Kai] is very concerned about global warming, about energy, about oil running out. In Mozambique I took him around schools and he understood why the children had no books, no paper, no light bulbs. He was so shocked and outraged by it that he wrote a paper for his school. It feels to me a good idea to foster a new generation of Americans who will hopefully be more sensitive to the issues and needs of people around the world."

Connelly also visited a local orphanage and has after that been considering adopting: "We absolutely considered adopting. We have a son who went through a separation of his parents and then a new stepfather and a new sibling. He’s had a lot of change so of course I really have to be sensitive to him. One of the kids I became close to was older than him.

What would that mean to my family? Would my son feel displaced, all of a sudden having an older sibling who didn’t speak the language and would need so much more time and attention? These are all concerns of mine and reasons why I didn’t come home with a child even though, believe me, I would call Paul at night when he was away. I’d say [imitating a teary voice], ‘There’s this baby and I don’t know what to do and I love him so much and if I leave here he might die’. It’s complicated, but we are still considering."

She also thanks her children for giving her balance: "I think I can honestly say now that I never fit in until after I had kids. I had no balance when I was in college because I was trying to figure out what was mine and where I wanted to be and where I felt safe. Suddenly the answer was the love I felt for my son."

Connelly has son Kai, 9, with photographer David Dugan and son Stellan, 3 1/2, with actor husband Paul Bettany, 35.

Source: The Independent

Thanks to CBB readers Joyce, Mary Beth and Debbi.

Comments

Regarding her first paragraph, last sentence, Americans give more donations to the rest of the world than any other people in the world. Other countries don’t even come close. I wonder if she knows that.

- Marilyn on January 24th, 2007

I really like Jennifer and Paul. They seem to down to earth and like such a loving family.

Marilyn- I certainly don’t think she meant to downplay what people are already doing to help others. I just took it to mean, we should share those values with the next generation so they do an even BETTER job. If we give more money already, that doesn’t mean the job is done and it’s time to call it a day. She didn’t mention money at all- I think she’s focused on making sure her kids truly understand and care for others. One can’t get that simply by writing a check, although hopefully the $$ people give is a RESULT of that love and caring.

- Jan on January 24th, 2007

I think it would be very neat if Connelly and family adopted an older child because while it is soooo wonderful for folks like Jolie and Pitt and Ryan to adopt young children, it would be nice for older children and teens to be adopted as well.

- Jess on January 24th, 2007

Uhhh, I don’t know about the US being the most generous nation. That’s a stretch, I think. Among the wealthiest nations, the US is the stingiest, with the country giving less than 1% of the total donations given each year. Yes, people in the US give a lot; however, it is small, with respect to how it compares to Western Europe, for instance.

- shooz139 on January 24th, 2007

What an interesting perspective. I also think she and her husband seem like great parents. It must be hard to be at that orphanage faced with so much suffering. She is also incredibly beautiful!

- Courtney on January 25th, 2007