Do you think people should have to apply for a license before they can have kids?

Question

Some people really aren't fit to be parents. Wouldn't it solve all the developed world's problems, like crime and overpopulation, if only certain people were allowed to reproduce?

Basically, if it was up to me, the requirements would be a minimum IQ of 90, you would need to have passed some basic secondary education, or be able to take a test to prove language and maths skills. People convicted of all but the most minor crimes would be banned.

The system could always be flexible, if you didn't qualify automatically you could always take a test to prove you could still be a good parent.

People having children without a license would have their children taken into care until they pass the test and obtain a license.

Answer 1

Ha! You know, it's not a bad idea!!!

Answer 2

I laughed when I first saw your question. As much as I understand where you are coming from and totally agree it unreasonable to require a license before having kids.

What happens to the kids being born to those without a license?

In one of my college classes we watched a movie in which a governor (I can't remember which state) is trying to pass a bill which would take the children away from all unwed teenage mothers. His reasoning is that statistics show that a child being born to unwed teenage mothers are more likely to be abused or neglected. Although the statistics are true, how is this fair to all the other unwed teenage mothers who do not abuse or neglect their children?

What is your idea of the perfect parenting situation? A mother and a father both in the home with incomes well over the poverty level?

I'm not going to take the time to look for the proof right now but if you seriously wanted to know I'm sure it wouldn't take long to do the search on the internet and come up with proof of what I am about to say. Although single households and those living in poverty may be more likely to abuse or neglect their children abuse and neglect of children is not limited to these situations. You will find it, as well as illigal drug use and all other ugly situations in which to raise a child, rampant in all income, race, and marital categories.

Not to mention that before one becomes a parent most don't have a clue as to what to expect. Yes we could demand parenting classes to all expecting parents however, these are just helpful recommendations that do not fit every child. No two children are alike and each will present a different challenge for the parents. Parenting classes are very helpful but most are taught by people fresh out of college who have never raised a child.

Also if we insist that mothers be married before they can keep their child then we may as well get ready to see an increase in spousal abuse as well as child abuse or at least a increase in the rate of divorce. You can't force people to love each other and unfortunately the sperm and egg do not know if the two that produced them actually love each other or not otherwise most of our problems concerning child abuse and neglect would be solved.

Another problem in taking a child away from an unlicensed parent is what do to with the child once it is taken? How do you think this child will fee once he/she grows up and learns that he/she was taken from a mother, who may have loved him and cared for him very well if given the chance, simply because she wasn't married, or was poor, or whatever the qualification was that she did not meet. What if this child had been adopted into a home where all the qualifications were met yet he/she was still subjected to abuse, neglect, drug addiction, alcoholics, or many other weird things that go in in the higher up society (anyone that has been on the net for any real amount of time knows what I'm talking about)

Yes, there is a serious problem with child abuse and neglect and we do need some serious answers but requiring licenses and taking a child from a mother simply because she doesn't meet certain qualifications before she is given a chance to prove herself as a mother is the most unfair and discriminating answer yet.

Answer 3

I like the idea, but find the logistics difficult. Better, I'd like it if parents were at least required to take some parenting and child development classes. As a preschool teacher, I see so many parents who are just stressed out and frustrated because they just don't have any experience with any children until they have them. Prospective parents should have to take college courses on child development so that they know the stages typical children go through, and take classes on proper nutrition for children as well as behavior management techniques. This way, at least the children would have parents who understand that what they are doing is typical of the age level/developmental level and would have some effective discipline techniques. They should also have to take a practicum kind of class where they have to go into a setting and be with real children... too many people think they know what children will be like, and then are shocked at what their children act like. They should have to put in a certain amount of hours working with all different age groups just like people who are training for degrees in child development. With more experience and education, parents would be better armed to take on the extreme responsibility that being a parent entails.

Answer 4

What about a person who is visually impaired who can not drive, but can still bare a child? There are people who live in cities and never get a license... why do they need one if they do not drive? Not everyone should be subject to the same rules when it comes to being a parent.

Now if someone commits a harsh crime or has a lengthy rap sheet I would be for it. Or if someone were truly a high risk and it was known I would also agree to it. (Them having to go without children)

Answer 5

Dream on Little Dreamer! People aren't even required to have a Marriage License before having kids.

Answer 6

This is a great question!!! I think that in an ideal world this would be great. I'd just change your criteria. Secondary education means nothing when it comes to being a good parent. Someone with a BA could know nothing about kids, but someone who barely graduated highschool may know tons.

Answer 7

In an ideal world, a license would be great. But what penalty would the parents incur if they had a child without getting a license?

Answer 8

You are right that some people should not have kids .. but I resist the idea of someone else .. or the government giving me a "test" and getting permission to have a child. That sounds too much like "Big Brother" to me. I agree with you in principle... but I wouldn't want it carried out that way. Good Luck ! :)

Answer 9

I like the ideal of being able to give a parenting license but it would be really hard to control and regulate it. People are like rabbits they love to reproduce! We are just lucky that we do not have as many offspring at one go like they do.

Answer 10

Althought there are some people who shouldn't be parents, you couldn't license everyone without getting too "big botherish". Anyways the ones who would govern this are the last people who need to pass that kind of judgement.

Answer 11

Sadly, it takes more regulations to get a driver's license, buy a car, and get a credit card than it is to have a baby. I don't know if there is any fair way to do such a thing, but it is sad how many abused, neglected and otherwise abused children there are.