Sociology and Media - Russian Adoption

Media Coverage and Public Reaction to New Dima Yakovlev Law The United States has adopted more Russian orphans than any other country. In the past few years this relationship has become somewhat unstable, ultimately resulting in the newly signed “Dima Yakovlev Law” that prevents American adoption of Russian children, among other limiting actions. This ruling and the events leading up to the decision have caused disquiet around the world for those on both sides of the issue. Most news sources try to present all viewpoints, while some are more opinionated than others. Local Russian news sources tend to report view points that support the governmental attitude and uphold Russian pride, although the government is not united in its attitude, while American sources tend to portray it as an issue that negatively impacts prospective parents and children on a personal level. Several cases of abuse and neglect by adoptive American parents of Russian children have caused worldwide outrage. Since adoption between the two countries began in the early 1990s, at least 19 Russian children have been killed by their adoptive parents in the United States (RT.com). One case in particular caused the