'Adopting children from the developing world is not a fad': Madonna

Washington, Apr 26 : Queen of pop Madonna has attacked claims that she and actress Angelina Jolie are adopting children from developing world countries as part of a "fad".

The main criticism was that the stars were overlooking needy orphans from their own countries, and they were also accused of starting a dangerous trend.

It has gone so far as to recently be dubbed by a British child psychologist as "the Madonna effect".

However, the singer refuses to accept that she is setting a bad example.

"If I was challenging people to open their minds and their hearts then I had to be willing to stand at the front of the line," Contactmusic quoted her as saying.

"And I can appreciate and understand how people could be cynical. That's fine, I accept that. Because I think that we live in a society where people are naturally suspicious of acts of altruism or generosity.

"I don't see how anyone who understands how complicated it is to adopt a child could say that someone chose to do that as a fad. It's just too difficult. It's too traumatic," she added.

ANI