Supporting Arguments for Parent Licensing
In Hugh Lafollette’s paper, “Licensing Parents” he talks about the need for government licensing of parents. His argument states that for any activity that is harmful to others, requires competence, and has a reliable procedure for determining competence, should require licensing by the government. This argument relates to parenting because it can be harmful to children, requires competence to raise those children, and we can assume that a reliable procedure can be formulated. Therefore, parenting should require licensing by the government. I agree with Lafollette and shall focus on supporting him by addressing the most practical objections: There is no reliable procedure for identifying competent parents and it is impossible to reasonably enforce parent regulations. I shall address these objections and their reasoning, followed by responses that Lafollette and myself would most likely have, thereby refuting the objections.
The first objection to Lafollette’s argument is that “…there may not be, or we may not be able to discover, adequate criteria of ‘a good parent’” (Lafollette 1980, 190). This is a strong and sound objection because who can universally define what constitutes a good parent? Many cultures prefer to raise their children in different ways that others might think is unacceptable. For example, some cultures believe that spanking their children is an effective form of punishment, while others condemn it as child abuse. Therefore, it seems impossible to distinguish between a “good and less than good parent” (Lafollette 1980, 190). In addition, if we did come up with a criteria, it would be too generalized (in order to include different cultures) and therefore, wouldn’t be ab...
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... to fairly enforce such a program. This objection was backed by multiple scenarios which demonstrated that most punishments are implausible. In response to this objection, I discussed Lafollette’s idea of removing children and putting them up for adoption. This plan involved orphanages or third party adoption indefinitely or until their biological parents became licensed. I also formulated an enforcement plan consisting of heavy fines and jail time for unauthorized children. Although this plan is harsh, it is fair and enforceable, thereby refuting the objection that there is no way to enforce parent certification. This paper discussed objections and responses to Lafollette’s argument which concluded in the reaffirmation that parent licensing is a possibility.
Works Cited
Lafollette, Hugh. "Licensing Parents." Philosophy and Public Affairs 9, no.2 (1980): 182-197.
Turner, Janice. "Should We Need a License to Be a Parent?" Respond in Writing. Ed.
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A parent’s parenting styles are as diverse as the world we live in today. Nowadays, parents only want what is best for their children and their parenting styles plays a crucial role in the development of children which will in the long run, not only effect the child’s childhood years, but later prolong into their adult life as well.
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Women’s and men’s would have to have a license at the age when they have a job and can support themselves before they become parents or after having a child if they want to stay with the children. This is because not everyone has the budgets to take care of a baby. Also a lot of people just have a baby to get benefits from the government. Although parents nowadays claim that having a child is a natural part of every human’s life is clear there are those who disagree with these. According to family who are against this state that everyone should be parents even if they don’t have knowledge. In other words, these people believe that everyone should be parents without a license. I disagree with this parent’s view that everyone should become a parent whenever they want because there have been cases showing that some people mistreat their kids or abuse of them emotional, sexually and physically. Parents who disagree with this idea are right to argue that having a child is a natural part of human’s life, but they exaggerate when they claim that everyone should have a kid even if they don’t have the budgets. This is a problem because there are many kids suffering because some parents abuse the children or the parents are not mentally and economically stable to afford the best care for the kid. Also, having a child is too expensive and not everyone has the amount to give a better life to the child. Ultimately, what must be kept in mind is that not
They often are not cared for, are brutalized, unloved, and abandoned. Once these children grow up, they often become seriously disadvantaged. No prohibition would make such parents love their children and want to take care of them. Scholars have acknowledged that children who grow up in such circumstances often become social misfits and take on undesirable behaviors (Watkins, 2005). This could have been averted by ensuring that only parents who have the capacity to bring up children in loving environments are allowed to have them.