Why we chose the word "adopted'
EUGENE - We've received several e-mails and phone call from viewers concerned about our use of the term "adopted" when we refer to Gabriel Riley.
One viewer wrote: "as an adoptee, I always have a hard time when people need to distinguish between a person's biological child and a person's adopted child. Why did the news reporter have to distinguish the fact that this family's child was adopted?"
This is a great question, and something we discussed in our newsroom. But, we decided that in this case, the adoption was an important part of Gabriel Riley's life. People we spoke to, who knew Gabe, believed his troubled background, and that fact the Rileys adopted him to help his escape that past, could provide clues about the crime.
Thursday, we spoke to adoption advocate Christy Obie-Barrett about the issue. She's adopted nine children, and founded the Heart Gallery, which helps find forever homes for foster children.
"But when it becomes part of the story and perhaps a reason for why they acted as they did, then I think it could be relative in a way in which we as a society need to look how we're supporting those children and families," says Obie-Barrett.
But she says when the information isn't relevant to a story, it can be offensive and inappropriate.
One viewer wrote: "as an adoptee, I always have a hard time when people need to distinguish between a person's biological child and a person's adopted child. Why did the news reporter have to distinguish the fact that this family's child was adopted?"
This is a great question, and something we discussed in our newsroom. But, we decided that in this case, the adoption was an important part of Gabriel Riley's life. People we spoke to, who knew Gabe, believed his troubled background, and that fact the Rileys adopted him to help his escape that past, could provide clues about the crime.
Thursday, we spoke to adoption advocate Christy Obie-Barrett about the issue. She's adopted nine children, and founded the Heart Gallery, which helps find forever homes for foster children.
"But when it becomes part of the story and perhaps a reason for why they acted as they did, then I think it could be relative in a way in which we as a society need to look how we're supporting those children and families," says Obie-Barrett.
But she says when the information isn't relevant to a story, it can be offensive and inappropriate.
