After reading many posts and being on several forums I have formed a hypothesis that there are many people (both men and women) who are becoming unplanned and uneducated parents.
What I mean is...Would there be a country or government that would enforce birth control to slow down the number of "kids" who are getting pregnant for welfare handouts and just because they were too shy to ask him to wear a condom or uneducated in this matter.
I hear so many times about parents who have children and then abuse the children through negect and stupidity.
Can we protect children from stupid parents by having each adult take some sort of written and practical exam before they are permitted to have unprotected sex?
We have to take lessons and exams to work and drive cars but practically anybody can just go and get pregnant.
Would this reduce the number of child abuse cases and the number of people recieveing welfare payments? Would this also reduce the number of STDs?
2007-03-27 16:41:13 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Theoretically a great idea. There are so many stupid parents out there. People who are terrible role models that are not fit to influence another human life. They have their pets confiscated, but are yet permitted to breed.
In practice however, this is unfortunately unenforceable. It's also a moral issue. I would not like anyone to have this sort of control over my life, or my partners.
It would be nice to see a fine introduced for parents who can not furnish a medical clearance. Something that says they are psychologically capable to attempt parenthood, a clearance that may be government funded (with the savings from the welfare system maybe?). A test is required to drive a car, why not one to ensure the possibility of good parenthood. Well other than the fact that it is not PC...
Although I like the idea on some levels, on others it is just wrong. Even more importantly, no politician will ever get votes from this, so it wouldn't pass into law, so that means it wont happen.
2007-03-27 21:56:03 · answer #1 · answered by GreenMan 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not only are you talking about trampling on human rights or giving the government way to much control over people's lives.. but you can't learn how to be a parent from a book, a class, or a test. When I had my son I got all the books.. read them for about 2 months and then never picked them up again. Being a parent is a complete learning experience from day one, you may not do everything right but as long as you do your best- it would not stop the number of child abuse cases, because some people are just crazy, some people can't control their emotions, and some people certainly should not have kids, however how would a class, test, or anything else know this until that baby is sitting in front of you. Lack of sleep with a newborn can cause many emotions to come out that the person didn't even know they were capable of. I don't see how that would reduce welfare at all... so you take a class, pass a test, how would that stop the people from having kid after kid and not collect welfare- that wouldn't do anything- would they have to take the class for every kid??? They already teach sex ed in middle school and high school and that doesn't seem to do any good on reducing the number of STDs if anything it seems to be getting worse.. so I don't see a parenting class helping that.
2007-03-28 00:03:23 · answer #2 · answered by katjha2005 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Interesting. How would you enforce birth control, have a guard watching you? Look, there are women who "miss" taking pills, there are guys who promise it won't get ya pregnant. This is not a disease with a possible cure. This is sex, and there are handouts for ya if you need help. But having kids, sadly, are some peoples way of making money. They would rather kick a kid out every year and make a bigger paycheck that way than work 40 hours a week. But to have an exam to see if they're ready for sex? Come on. You can't regulate sex, you just can't. Education is the way, but the schools are chock full of idiot teachers, who are there not for the kids always. The funny thing is everyone needs to realize it's not someone else's responsibility. argh. Parents are the main avenue, and yes there are good and bad ones. But you just can't regulate sexual activity.
2007-03-28 00:02:12 · answer #3 · answered by The Angry Elephant 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
While I agree with the premise that some people just shouldn't breed, I would disagree with government regulation of my uterus. It breaks my heart to see child abuse and neglect, but I don't think that the government has any place in the bedroom or the delivery room.
Who would decide what parameters these "tests" cover? I don't know about you, but I myself have heard many conflicting ideas in the infant/child world. (food in particular comes to mind, my mother fed me cereal at 1 month, though now we are told not until 4-7 months old) Should parents be forced to conform to government regulations requiring mothers to nurse if they don't want to or can't??
What about people with genetic predispotions to certain diseases?? Should we prevent a Jewish couple from having kids because the child may get Taye-Sachs?? I don't think so, to me that amounts to a slow genocide.
Can an uneducated person be a great parent?? Or, flip it around... Does education alone make you a better parent?
This subject, I fear, is a slippery slope. We don't need regulations on reproduction.
2007-03-28 00:02:06 · answer #4 · answered by Anah B 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
your intentions are good, but forcing someone to pass a test or take a class is trampling over an individuals rights. and how could anyone enforce a law tat says you have to use birth control. while it's noble to want to protect everyone, you just can't. parents need to educate their children better about the dangers of having intercourse before they are prepared to handle the possible outcomes.
2007-03-27 23:56:43 · answer #5 · answered by jim_2ooo 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In a perfect world, this would make total and complete sense. I love the idea.
However, someone will claim they are at a disadvantage for whatever reason, couldn't attend classes, didn't understand classes, etc. Bottom line, we would once again be infringing upon their rights as human beings. blah, blah, blah.
2007-03-28 00:08:04 · answer #6 · answered by Mrs. Goddess 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with your first responder. I do think that maybe there should be laws enacted for young parents, 18 years and younger, to take parenting classes before they give birth. Even a parenting class for all expectent parents wouldn't be a bad idea. Hey, if you have to take classes and a test to drive a car, then you should certainly have to take parenting classes.
2007-03-27 23:50:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
sounds very 1984 (orwellian) how about offering parenting classes in high school and college. or as part of the prenatal care package of vitamins and checkups
2007-03-27 23:50:54 · answer #8 · answered by worldstiti 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Great in theory, would not want anyone trampling over basic humans rights though.
2007-03-27 23:46:39 · answer #9 · answered by Dina W 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
don't say this at church.... more than likely they'll be mad
2007-03-27 23:50:49 · answer #10 · answered by saintdrew333 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋