Should people be required to have a license to reproduce?

Question

My husband and I talk about this a lot. Is it just us? We see horror stories on the news that happen to children: left in hot cars and died, molested or otherwise abused by the parent, locked in rooms to be starved to death, beaten and thrown into a dumpster, alcohol in a baby's bottle. The list goes on and on. We have two kids and can't imagine doing these things. For people applying to be foster or adoptive parents, there are miles of paperwork and endless interviews, tests, background and financial checks. Why then is there not the same care and consideration taken before people have biological children? And then there is this: the worst parents seem to be the most fertile, and the best would-be parents seem to be sterile/barren. Aside from the human rights stand-point and the fact that you can't possibly control the sexual conduct of all our citizens (USA), shouldn't people have to "apply" to be biological parents? Shouldn't the lives and rights of the unborn be considered?

Answer 1

Absolutely

Have you seen the movie "Parenthood"? There is a scene where Keanu Reeve and Diane Weese (spelling?) are talking about fathers. Keanus says "You need a license to own a dog, you need a license to catch a fish but they'll let any butt-reaming a**hol* be a dad"

so true so true

Answer 2

The government should not be allowed in the bedrooms of or homes of people. I understand what your saying, however, do you really want that much control from the Government in your home. Also, consider all the wonderful loving respect hard working parents that have families. Should a few that are disturbed ruin it for the ones that fight so hard to have a loving family, I don't think so. A few bad apples don't have to ruin the bunch, right. Maybe they need to do research on the ones that are commiting these acts, to see what the personality profiles are. Consider ways to stop it but not this way, rather: Why would these people do this? Is there certain personality types? Is it people who have criminal background, or physically abused? Is there a way to find these people before it happens to a child? etc... Rather research, then anyone walk in my home & tell me what to do under my roof.

Answer 3

I understand the frustration that living in a free country can create for decent people. All citizens have the potential to do the wrong thing as well as the right thing and that includes producing children.
Maybe we need to get real about what the criminal justice system is really doing. Namely it is dealing with a lot of people who would never have been born in a fascist country that practiced eugenics. I think there is mounting scientific evidence for the heritability of sociopathic traits. Nevertheless I think we need to carry on giving people a chance to demonstrate that they can beat the genetic odds.
We do need some deviants in our society in any case. They challenge the status quo and give us new ideas. They are creative. They keep the human race interesting. I don't think science can yet predict which deviants are going to be good for society and which will be bad. We might have to always rely on the criminal justice system to sort out the good deviants from the bad.

Answer 4

I see where you're coming from, but I don't think that the this statement is true ("the worst parents seem to be the most fertile, and the best would-be parents seem to be sterile/barren") it would just seem that way. Think about it; the worst parents wouldn't go moving all Heaven and Earth just to get a child, when they probably don't even want one. You don't hear about infertile couples that *don't* want kids, do you?

It would be awkward to impose such a law, anyhow. People can get pregnant, and have it in their own homes... which is dangerous, unsafe along with many other negative things.

Would the proposed license require payment? What does it compose of?

Answer 5

All ready for Big Brother?
I hear what you are saying, and I understand...my heart breaks for every child that has to have one second of suffering. I truely believe a child's biggest concerns in life should be the existence of Santa, the Tooth Fairy, etc...
That being said, I am not ready to live in a country where my government gets to dictate reproduction, or anything else that is of a private nature. A question that is asked is "How many of your rights and freedoms are you willing to give up?" I say NONE. I cannot believe more people are not horrified by the Patriot Act....so....you may get your wish and live in an Orwellian society after all.

Answer 6

I think about this too and I'm with you. It would be great if it could be enforced, but I can't even keep hoodlum kids out of my yard let alone the police trying to stop everyone from having illegal sex.

Home Sweet Home's answer hits the nail on the head!!

Answer 7

Yes, I totally agree that people should have some kind of tests before they are able to have children. My neighbor has a little girl and she is constantly drinking, smoking, etc. around her and so the little girl does as she pleases and she is not even 2 years old yet.

Answer 8

That's sad. The song by Offspring nails it "Been around the world and found that only stupid people or breeding" Maybe it's not Offspring. Sorry, but the song is true.

Answer 9

I've been saying this for years! The government regulates everything else... why not?

Coan you imagine the look on people's faces... I'm sorry you two are too stupid to have kids!

It would never work though!

Answer 10

YES. THERE ARE TO MANY STUPID PEOPLE HAVING BABIES AND PASSING ON THEIR DEADBEAT GEENES. I KNOW ONE LADY WHO CANNOT ADD 2+2 AND SHE HAS 4 KIDS (OVER 10 YEARS OLD) WHO CANNOT ADD 2+2 ETHER. THIS IS WHY THERE IS SUCH A HIGH CRIME RATE IN THE WORLD. PEOPLE WHO CANT THINK TURN TO CRIME.