License to Parent?

[heart of peace]

Ok, so here is a thread that is sure to generate discussion, possibly a heated one but hopefully a civil one all around. In order to accomplish this, I suggest not stating any moral judgments of another person's opinion (as opinions are neither right or wrong inherrantly) and to keep it in general terms, never specific (no matter if it is a specific person who does not post here).

Do you think that there should be government issued licenses to have children? If so, what would your requirements be for said license?


(I got this thread idea from my previous message forum as it was a regular topic of debate and the forgiveness thread reminded me of it)

 

[Leanna]

No I don't think there should be. There is just too diverse opinion on how to raise children and it could get really out of hand.

For example, on the other thread it was said that a woman should have forced birth control until she can "afford" kids. There are many levels of "afford" and people feel vastly different ways on what it means to afford children and how to spend and teach about money. But money is not the only consideration. What about parenting styles? Maybe the government would say that you can't have kids until you agree to vaccinate, wean at 1 year and do everything according to the AAP.

It gets too messy. So no license to parent.

 

[HeyHomie]

From a practical standpoint, I like it. But from a philosophical standpoint, I disagree with it vehemently. Does that make sense?

I'm sure that people who can't have children are hurt when they see people who have zero common sense having baby after baby, and expecting the government to take care of them. But then again, it is not the business of the government to regulate who can and cannot have children.

I'm sorry if I'm not being terribly clear here. It's difficult to put what I'm feeling into words.

 

[heart of peace]

For the sake of this topic, what your standards are would be the requirements for said license. So if all your requirements were to take a 3 credit course on basic parenting skills and to have a high school diploma then that would be it.

 

[jgonz]

Do you think that there should be government issued licenses to have children?

Absolutely not.

There is too much government interference in our homes as it is Now, I can't Even imagine how horrible that would be to go that far... Sort of like in China with the enforced abortions after 1 child. :::shudder:::

 

[MyaShane]

Couldn't agree less with this concept. Just way too many variables to consider. Even with licenses there would still be neglect and abuse and such because unfortunately that's the world we live in. How would you monitor that? Constant home visits? So, even if you get a license, you're never away from Baby Big Brother? As parents we make mistakes. Heck our parenting adventure has been a trial and error process, but that doesn't make us "bad parents"! None of us are worthy enough to be parents and we do the best we can learning as we go.

 

[beccasmommy]

nope no liscence

 

[seamonster]

No. The government doesn't need to control EVERYTHING.

 

[progressivegal]

I remember this episode of Dinosaurs (remember that show? It was awesome....) where the parents lost their parenting licenses and had to go to parenting school. I then proceeded to ask m parents who were watching with me about parenting licenses, and they said there was no such thing, but that there probably should be. I remember being shocked because I knew about marriage licenses, and even as a kid I saw parenting as something much more serious than getting married.
I'm the opposite of Heyhomie here because I do agree with the idea in theory, but practically there's no way it could work.
There are WAY to many people hurting, ignoring, and not taking proper care of their children.

 

[-~Truth_N_Trust~-]

Do you think that there should be government issued licenses to have children?

No, not at all. Do I think that there should be more education/support available, sure. But quite frankly the question scares me and I would not live in a country where the government had that kind of control over my body and life.

 

[Assisi]

I disagree. Having children is something which is between God and a couple IMO.

But I do have a hard time not getting annoyed at other people's parenting style sometimes. Not in terms of discipline or anything like that, esp as being a 'good parent' is so subjective not to mention I could just be seeing a bad day. But I hate to see mothers smoking around their children and I hate to see pregnant women eating or drinking things which can harm their unborn children. I have a disorder which can prevent nutrition from crossing the placenta (two of my children died of starvation this way) and I try so hard to get that nutrient down there. It is so frustrating to see pregnant ladies eat preservatives and calories only and ignore nutrition. [/rant]

Sorry 'bout that.

 

[TCat]

Since this is an "in theory" only idea it does pose an interesting question. We need a liscense to drive a car, operate certain eqiupment, do certain jobs etc. but only need to have sex to become a parent.

I guess if I were to put my 2 cents in I would suggest that everyone desiring to have a parenting liscense be first required to have 2 years of labrador retriever ownership beginning with an 8 week old pup.
They would then have to provide proof of medical care and obedience training to show that they could indeed handle a child. Believe me, a lab puppy is way easier than raising a toddler!

Actually, there probably should be a standard of living that one should be required to prove. An age requirement and proof of employment. And a psych test to see if they are unfit. The problem with all of that is that none of that really shows if one if "fit".

I know a couple of mature, well educated, finacially could people who are terrible parents, and I know a teen who is terrific.

Oh well.

 

[heart of peace]

Since this is an "in theory" only idea it does pose an interesting question. We need a liscense to drive a car, operate certain eqiupment, do certain jobs etc. but only need to have sex to become a parent.

I guess if I were to put my 2 cents in I would suggest that everyone desiring to have a parenting liscense be first required to have 2 years of labrador retriever ownership beginning with an 8 week old pup.
They would then have to provide proof of medical care and obedience training to show that they could indeed handle a child. Believe me, a lab puppy is way easier than raising a toddler!

Actually, there probably should be a standard of living that one should be required to prove. An age requirement and proof of employment. And a psych test to see if they are unfit. The problem with all of that is that none of that really shows if one if "fit".

I know a couple of mature, well educated, finacially could people who are terrible parents, and I know a teen who is terrific.

Oh well.

Thank you for being able to see it from a hypothetical internet posting way only...lol

Some things I would require would be:

- Psychological test definitely
- Some sort of education on child development theories and concepts
- Demonstrate financially responsible behavior

 

[lin1235]

Well I've often joked that it should be required, just because I see so many people having kids and then not providing any care for those kids.

On a practical level though, my biggest concern (and this is a HUGE one) is what happens to people who get pregnant without a licence? Forced abortion? So on a practical level I have to vehemently disagree with the concept.

What I would wish for is obligatory training while pregnant - basic info on breastfeeding benefits, nutritional requirements, stimulating a baby at different ages, age-appropriate behavior, that kind of thing.

 

[Manna]

In theory, I can agree with the concept. The idea of it seems to be to prevent abusive, neglectful or simply not-ready people (like my technical term? lol!) from having children. Of course it's never something that would work because of the multiple differing opinions, and the obvious recipe for disaster; but simply in theory, there have been worse ideas. =)

 

[fuzzymel]

I remember this episode of Dinosaurs (remember that show? It was awesome....) where the parents lost their parenting licenses and had to go to parenting school. I then proceeded to ask m parents who were watching with me about parenting licenses, and they said there was no such thing, but that there probably should be. I remember being shocked because I knew about marriage licenses, and even as a kid I saw parenting as something much more serious than getting married.
I'm the opposite of Heyhomie here because I do agree with the idea in theory, but practically there's no way it could work.
There are WAY to many people hurting, ignoring, and not taking proper care of their children.

I agree 100%

There are driving licences, dog licences, car licences but not child licences. It would be an impossible task to do though.

 

[Meshavrischika]

Ok, so here is a thread that is sure to generate discussion, possibly a heated one but hopefully a civil one all around. In order to accomplish this, I suggest not stating any moral judgments of another person's opinion (as opinions are neither right or wrong inherrantly) and to keep it in general terms, never specific (no matter if it is a specific person who does not post here).

Do you think that there should be government issued licenses to have children? If so, what would your requirements be for said license?


(I got this thread idea from my previous message forum as it was a regular topic of debate and the forgiveness thread reminded me of it)

I started this one last year and it got nasty... hopefully we've all matured since then. I love the topic though.

Government should not license people to bear children. That being said, the government should be empowered to remove children not taken care of and to prohibit further procreation in someone who is proven to be a repeat offender in neglect/abuse or other damaging behavior by surgical means if needed (this needs to be extremely rare, but there is a girl I knew in high school that keeps producing deformed babies because of her drug use... she has had six children, all profoundly handicapped, and does nothing to end this type of behavior, and it needs to stop).

 

[Laurie919]

Well I have an opinion that isn't so popular and I know it.

I think that every girl child should have a birthcontrol divice implanted when they are born. It should not be removed until you are able to prove you can provide for a child financially an emotionally.

I know there are cases where after you have a child you need government help and that is understandable. But I think there is no excuse for people who have 5-10 kids who are born in the projects and live their entire lives there. Because they know no better.

No 12 year old needs to be a mother.

I know it is a screwed up way to do something like that, but something like that would be a good thing.

 

[MyaShane]

Well I have an opinion that isn't so popular and I know it.

I think that every girl child should have a birthcontrol divice implanted when they are born. It should not be removed until you are able to prove you can provide for a child financially an emotionally.

I know there are cases where after you have a child you need government help and that is understandable. But I think there is no excuse for people who have 5-10 kids who are born in the projects and live their entire lives there. Because they know no better.

No 12 year old needs to be a mother.

I know it is a screwed up way to do something like that, but something like that would be a good thing.

One of the problems here is that you're lumping everyone into your 1 example of poor people in the projects. So basically, you just think that you shouldn't have children if you're poor? What a shame that you have to be able to give things to your child other than love and necessities in order to be a worthy parent! Anyway, that's how I read that post.

 

[shaslove]

Well I have an opinion that isn't so popular and I know it.

I think that every girl child should have a birthcontrol divice implanted when they are born. It should not be removed until you are able to prove you can provide for a child financially an emotionally.

I know there are cases where after you have a child you need government help and that is understandable. But I think there is no excuse for people who have 5-10 kids who are born in the projects and live their entire lives there. Because they know no better.

No 12 year old needs to be a mother.

I know it is a screwed up way to do something like that, but something like that would be a good thing.

So many ethical reasons why I dont agree with this.

I think the parental license could work if you were required to take classes or something when you got pregnant--say if you take these classes, these companies will give you discounts, etc.