Disney, Adoption and The Avengers...

[Doug7856]

I took my son to see The Avengers on Saturday. In one key scene, as the Avengers are assembled they review the evil committed by Loki. Thor confronts the rest of the Avengers because Loki is his brother. When the Avengers list the atrocities he has committed, Thor volunteers that “Loki was adopted”. It got quite a laugh from the audience, yet it implies that an adopted sibling is less family than biological children.

Children don’t need to be told they are inferior or defective or less of a family member because they were adopted, especially from someone as trusted as the Walt Disney Company. There are 73.8 million children who are a part of families created through adoption. It’s odd that Disney would choose to send a message that adopted children are less part of a family than biological children, but in my opinion, that’s exactly what happens in The Avengers.

The movie was excellent and I don’t regret taking my son to see it. I just thought we had moved beyond these stereotypes about adoption.

This is my point of view as the father of adopted children.

Did this scene bother anyone else?

[Shyvioletisme]

Originally Posted by Doug7856

I took my son to see The Avengers on Saturday. In one key scene, as the Avengers are assembled they review the evil committed by Loki. Thor confronts the rest of the Avengers because Loki is his brother. When the Avengers list the atrocities he has committed, Thor volunteers that “Loki was adopted”. It got quite a laugh from the audience, yet it implies that an adopted sibling is less family than biological children.

Children don’t need to be told they are inferior or defective or less of a family member because they were adopted, especially from someone as trusted as the Walt Disney Company. There are 73.8 million children who are a part of families created through adoption. It’s odd that Disney would choose to send a message that adopted children are less part of a family than biological children, but in my opinion, that’s exactly what happens in The Avengers.

The movie was excellent and I don’t regret taking my son to see it. I just thought we had moved beyond these stereotypes about adoption.

This is my point of view as the father of adopted children.

Did this scene bother anyone else?

You're reading too much into it.

[alex9179]

This is a subject that rears up regularly on the adoption board I frequent. The parents are very sensitive to adoption references and there are plenty of "this sends the wrong message" opinions.

Personally, I feel that my own opinions or worries influence how I perceive a situation. Sometimes I read more into it because of my past experiences. As far as adoption, I guess I don't pay as much attention unless someone is making an effort to be insulting...which has never happened to me. I have some relatives who, I feel, see me as a long term babysitter I'm sure that's not quite what they think, though!

You have your perceptions. I'm not going to try to say you misinterpreted it since I wasn't there and haven't seen the movie yet. However, I tend to doubt people were laughing at the notion of adoption.

[stsomewhere]

My son tells his sister all the time that she is adopted because he does not want to be related to her. You can definitively see the resemblance.

[LilyWDW]

Originally Posted by Doug7856

I took my son to see The Avengers on Saturday. In one key scene, as the Avengers are assembled they review the evil committed by Loki. Thor confronts the rest of the Avengers because Loki is his brother. When the Avengers list the atrocities he has committed, Thor volunteers that “Loki was adopted”. It got quite a laugh from the audience, yet it implies that an adopted sibling is less family than biological children.

Children don’t need to be told they are inferior or defective or less of a family member because they were adopted, especially from someone as trusted as the Walt Disney Company. There are 73.8 million children who are a part of families created through adoption. It’s odd that Disney would choose to send a message that adopted children are less part of a family than biological children, but in my opinion, that’s exactly what happens in The Avengers.

The movie was excellent and I don’t regret taking my son to see it. I just thought we had moved beyond these stereotypes about adoption.

This is my point of view as the father of adopted children.

Did this scene bother anyone else?

You are reading way too much into that comment.

Have you seen the Thor movie itself? If you have, then you would have a better understanding of the comment.

[Jennasis]

Grasping at straws.

The discussion between the characters was about how dangerous the ASGARDIANS as a whole are, as evidenced by the atrocities of Loki. To which Thor defends the honor of the rest of Asgard by joking "he's adopted" meaning, Asgardians are not evil violent people.

You know that evil people can be adopted too right?

[diznygirl]

There's a lot more going on to be offended about.

[Kim&Chris]

Originally Posted by Doug7856

I took my son to see The Avengers on Saturday. In one key scene, as the Avengers are assembled they review the evil committed by Loki. Thor confronts the rest of the Avengers because Loki is his brother. When the Avengers list the atrocities he has committed, Thor volunteers that “Loki was adopted”. It got quite a laugh from the audience, yet it implies that an adopted sibling is less family than biological children.

Children don’t need to be told they are inferior or defective or less of a family member because they were adopted, especially from someone as trusted as the Walt Disney Company. There are 73.8 million children who are a part of families created through adoption. It’s odd that Disney would choose to send a message that adopted children are less part of a family than biological children, but in my opinion, that’s exactly what happens in The Avengers.

The movie was excellent and I don’t regret taking my son to see it. I just thought we had moved beyond these stereotypes about adoption.

This is my point of view as the father of adopted children.

Did this scene bother anyone else?

I think you may be reading too much into it. Did you see Thor? If not, you may want to take a look, so you'd better understand the comment made by Thor regarding Loki's situation.

[Doug7856]

I did see both The Avengers and Thor. both very good movies. In "Thor" there was not a connection to Loki's actions and his adoption. I have no problem with that presentation.

I do have a problem with adoption presented as the reason: "Loki's adopted". It's a reason for the evil aspect of the character. It's the thought that "He's not really my brother, he's adopted" that I object to. Families created through adoption are no less family.

Your comments are appreciate and no doubt I'm sensitive to how adoption is presented to my children and the cultural acceptance of adoption in general.

[Jennasis]

Originally Posted by Doug7856

I did see both The Avengers and Thor. both very good movies. In "Thor" there was not a connection to Loki's actions and his adoption. I have no problem with that presentation.

I do have a problem with adoption presented as the reason: "Loki's adopted". It's a reason for the evil aspect of the character. It's the thought that "He's not really my brother, he's adopted" that I object to. Families created through adoption are no less family.

Your comments are appreciate and no doubt I'm sensitive to how adoption is presented to my children and the cultural acceptance of adoption in general.

Then you patently misunderstood the dialogue. Sorry. No controversy here. He was not painted as being evil because he was adopted. His adoption is mentioned to counter the accusation that all people from Asgard are dangerous, violent and evil, like Loki. BTW, Loki's IS actually a member of a violent and dangerous race. Looks like, IN THIS FICTITIOUS WORLD, nature wins out over nurture.

[alex9179]

Originally Posted by Doug7856

I did see both The Avengers and Thor. both very good movies. In "Thor" there was not a connection to Loki's actions and his adoption. I have no problem with that presentation.

I do have a problem with adoption presented as the reason: "Loki's adopted". It's a reason for the evil aspect of the character. It's the thought that "He's not really my brother, he's adopted" that I object to. Families created through adoption are no less family.

Your comments are appreciate and no doubt I'm sensitive to how adoption is presented to my children and the cultural acceptance of adoption in general.

I don't agree with your conclusion that the fact he's adopted is presented as the reason for his evil nature. As the poster pointed out, the characters were stereotyping the Asgardians based on the behavior of one person. It was then pointed out that he was not, in fact, a product of that line. Also, Thor continued to be bonded to his brother despite betrayal (in "Thor"). The bonds of family were still held dear to him, whether it was blood or not. His love was constant, but he was held accountable to his duty to prevent his brother from causing harm.

[Jennasis]

Originally Posted by alex9179

I don't agree with your conclusion that the fact he's adopted is presented as the reason for his evil nature. As the poster pointed out, the characters were stereotyping the Asgardians based on the behavior of one person. It was then pointed out that he was not, in fact, a product of that line. Also, Thor continued to be bonded to his brother despite betrayal (in "Thor"). The bonds of family were still held dear to him, whether it was blood or not. His love was constant, but he was held accountable to his duty to prevent his brother from causing harm.

[Doug7856]

Originally Posted by alex9179

I don't agree with your conclusion that the fact he's adopted is presented as the reason for his evil nature. As the poster pointed out, the characters were stereotyping the Asgardians based on the behavior of one person. It was then pointed out that he was not, in fact, a product of that line. Also, Thor continued to be bonded to his brother despite betrayal (in "Thor"). The bonds of family were still held dear to him, whether it was blood or not. His love was constant, but he was held accountable to his duty to prevent his brother from causing harm.

I see your point of view and prefer your interpretation.

[Bluestars]

I saw the movie and thought the joke was funny. However, while I was laughing it did cross my mind that some adopted children or their parents might not find it funny.

[CentralFloridian99]

The whole theater laughed at that scene, I just chuckled. I think Thor was just putting that out to the Avengers, but I can see why it could bother parents.