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The difference is when the truth comes out, the adopted child learns that someone cared enough about them to raise them, 24x7.

Still crappy, but less crappy than learning your dad was a $200/month actor that had no actual emotional investment in you.

I've read the article, it appears for the father role, the actor has some level of emotional investment. He enjoys creating happiness as the father, and feels guilty when he leaves her, and dreams about her even.

The adoptive parents genuinely love the child, they are not getting paid to pretend they do.

I think the motivation counts. Adopting out of a desire to have a child feels quite different from doing it for money.