Why does one need a license to drive, but not to have children?

Question

I mean, that if people want to have children, they should get a license. They should go to parenting classes and when they pass, they can have children.

Obviously, the idea of having children and raising them for 18 years is more frivious an action than getting a damn license to drive a car, just because it's a right. Well,Bravo to all you with the ability to procreate and bring more jacked up people into the world to destroy it due to your lack of preparation or just plain lack of care. You have to have a license to drive a damn car that is a piece of metal. You wreck it, oh well. You buy another. What do you do when you have a kid and wreck their life? Have another? Don't think my question is so asinine especially when you can't even spell to save your life.

Answer 1

The right to have children is a fundamental right under the US constitution. That means, any government attempts to regulate it must meet this highest constitutional standard: strict scrutiny. Basically, the regulation must be narrowly tailored to meet a compelling governmental interest where compelling usually means that the government can't effect its purpose any other way.

Driving on the other hand is not protected by the US constitution. Government's regulation of drivers get ordinary rationality review. Basically, the regulation has to be rationally related to a legitimate state purpose. This is the lowest standard of review the supreme court uses. Just about anything can be rational. In the case of drivers, safety is the purpose and it is definitely rational. Licensing drivers is obviously related to that rational purpose.

So, the short answer is: if government came up with a compelling purpose that necessitated a particular regulation, it should pass constitutional muster. However, many of the purposes that have been suggested in the answers won't pass the strict scrutiny test because they are (1) not compelling and/or (2) there are other less constitutionally problametic ways to effect the same purpose.

Answer 2

Your theory has some serious flaws. What happens if a couple becomes pregnant unexpectedly? Do you force the woman to abort or do you snatch the baby away from them at birth (against their will) and give it to someone else?

Or you could just sterilize those people that you have deemed "unfit to breed". After all, that's what the nazis did.

Asinine? Really, so what do you suggest happen to people who can't get their license? Nothing at all? Then what good is the license in the first place?

I was the one called asinine by another person who answered, I was responding to that statement. Also, if my spelling is so horrible, then what does the word frivious mean?

I understand that you have good intentions, but you have to realize the consequences of what you are suggesting. If there is a test that people need to pass in order to have children what do you do if someone who does not or can not pass for some reason becomes pregnant? If you allow them to keep the baby, then the point of having a license is moot. People will see that they don't really NEED the license to have a child and think why bother.

On the other hand if you decide to enforce the license then you will have to take a baby away (in some way, either through abortion or forced adoption) because you THINK that this person may be a bad parent based on your licensing criteria. That would make you a monster.

That's why I said your theory had some serious flaws. If you're going to take other people's opinions so personally, then you shouldn't ask for them.

btw: What did I misspell? Besides your misspelling which I pointed out to you?

Answer 3

parenting class? mmmm Yes I would think that some sort of life/ personal development as we grow will help prepare us for the life ahead. I don`t think there is a universal parenting model and indeed we are entrusted to care for and to teach gifts of god (like children) and to help them become that which they will be (indaviduals with their own personality and thoughts and things) We can as parents give that which we feel to be best (what our parents did or not give us) but unlike a car which goes were you wish to take it, we must accept without question the road our children choose to take. It is called free will. We can only, as parents whatch from the side lines and be the comforter if it goes wrong and the encourager for that which goes right. We often show our pride when our children do well in life, Sometimes we are guilty of stealing thier achievements "my son is...... my daughter does......." These are things they have done on thier own. That is why we don`t have a licence.

Answer 4

You are correct. I think it would be a good plan. Only people with some sex education, and some other basic training could have children. That would be pretty cool considering that most, men anyway, think that "sex education" means his technique to get women to have sex with him. Most people, I know don't even know the names of their parts, or the difference between semen and sperm.

When you do most things in life, some kind of planning is involved. Sometimes it takes weeks, or years. Making a baby is as simple as "Oh, I don't have a condom".

That is why I had a vasectomy when I was 21. I still use condoms unless I am dating someone whom is also fixed. I do so because I am not taking any risks. I like sex a lot, and I fear making a baby much more than I fear any STD.

Answer 5

The answer is that when Drivers licenses were first required to protect the public, there was no way to prevent them from having children. They could have prohibited marriage without training on children, but even then the religious outcry would have been overwhelming.

Answer 6

Its more of a privacy issue. I get a license to drive among all the traffic in the world with insurance and the skill to avoid any traffic mishaps. If per chance I'm involved in a wreck, it won't be my fault. In your case, if you get involved in a wreck where you blow up, it's not my fault.

Answer 7

I only wish.

Unfortunately, the tiny detail that children come along whether or not the (less and less sexually educated) younger generations have any sort of parenting skills beforehand is a simple fact.

I do wish that such a concept was at least taught regularly in schools...but the "teach only abstinence" crowd (at least here in the States) has the issue of sex education throttled down to a murmur at best.

Answer 8

What a great question.
Most would argue that driving can cause the deaths of others.
But an irresponsible, inexperience parent can cause even far more adverse affects to society. Like giving birth and rearing an irresponsible person who would drink and drive and killing many on the side walk.
So parents should be certified before giving birth.

Answer 9

The right to drive a car is considered a societal priveledge and can be regulated. The right to have children is a human right and no other human has the right to deny another human being of this right.

Answer 10

Very good question I really think that it should be mandatory to take parenting classes when you become pregnant and if the dads around he should have to as well.

Mistress K your answer has many flaws as well. She's not saying abort just to teach people to become better parents. There is nothing wrong with that. Your answer was asinine.

Just shows how f'ed up this world is and why children are running around commiting crimes, seeing as I got three thumbs down to me wanting people to be better parents you people are pathatic