Illustration. (Istockphoto / nilimage)

Children Exhibition in Brazil, Acceptable or Dangerous?

Pantanal, Brazil - Using the title "Adoption on the Catwalk", a shopping center in Brazil held a parade to show off children who were ready to be adopted, reaping criticism from various parties. This event was held in one of the malls in Pantanal, Cuiaba, Tuesday (5/21) by The Brazilian Commission for Children and Youth Association (CYC) and the Adoption and Supporting Researchers Association (AMPARA).

Tatiane de Barros Ramalho, President of CYC stated that, the public can get more information regarding adoption and the children themselves will have a special day where they will be adopted through the parade and have a new family.

However, apparently the news about this children exhibition provoked the internet citizens’ anger. Many of them criticized and compared this performance with animal or slave auction events, even someone said that this children exhibition is a shame as it's in the form of a cattle market and might be dangerous.

The organizers then confirmed that no children were forced to take part in the parade. They explained that children who participated were accompanied by part-time foster parents. It is reported that the parade was responsible for changing the lives of many boys and girls too, considering that there are 9,500 children in Brazil waiting to be adopted and looking for their new families, as stated by Tulio Dualibi Souza on his Facebook.