I believe that a licensing system will ensure responsible parenting; legal regulations are a must considering the increase in number of cases of violence, neglect and abuse of children. The clause of having a license will help distinguish competent parents from incompetent parents and the most important benefit of having a license is to give the children a life of security, health and happiness. Issues of neglect and child abuse are prevalent throughout the United States. These factors emerge from a continuous culture of parenting that is emotionally and financial unstable. Incompetent parenting involves individuals who are not educated, irresponsible about caring for their children and improving their lives.
Negligent parents harm their children through the alcohol and drug abuse. There are instances of physical and verbal abuse by parents. These factors can haunt children for the rest of their lives; it can lead to complicated personalities as basic love and care is missing. As young adults these abused kids are more likely to develop anger and a violent temperament. Negligent parenting creates a perpetual cycle of uneducated and incompetent adults; that will show signs of stress, bipolar personalities, insensitivity and hostile behavior. According to the US department of Labor’s Commission; parenthood is considered as a secondary role in the US society. (The Rationale and Feasibility of Licensing parents, Jack. C Westman, Frontline, November 1996). On a national level an estimated 1,500 children die each year from abuse and neglect. Most of the child maltreatment cases go unreported. (Emily. Douglas, Child Maltreatment Fatalities Fact Sheet, 2015).Incompetent parents should not be allowed to neglect and abuse children anymore.
With the help of supporters and the government, a new law should be implemented; one that would require a special screening process and evaluation. Based on the evaluated results, only competent parents should be given the privilege to raise a child. This law should also cover adoption; the child’s future depends on the type of parenting. The entire social set up and values are determined by the behavior of people. Kids with a past history of abuse and bad parenting can grow up to be split personalities; this will definitely harm the society. Licensing requirements should include clauses like a married couple that is economically independent, no criminal records, no past history of mental illness and clearing a basic course in effective parenting from a community college. The number of children in the family should also be considered while giving the license. Parental licensing is meant to eliminate the problem areas by giving the ultimate control to the government. It will bring an end to the manipulation of innocent children. They deserve the best healthcare and parenting possible. Children who are raised in a licensed home will have all the necessary requirements to be successful in life. They will get all facilities like good education, love, care and above all a secure family environment. This brings up the question of what defines competence and who is making this determination. (For example, lots of bad drivers have licenses). A parental license will ensure each child of their civil rights; it will address the issue from the very beginning by allowing only those who are capable to raise children with love and care. The education of children that come from licensed homes would show good results; these results will definitely be better than the current situation of child abuse and neglect.
America needs a parental license program to ensure child welfare and protection. It is not just about giving birth; it is about ensuring that a child will receive all the elements required for a happy life. Children are the future; it is up to the parents to give them a strong foundation so that they grow up to be competent, balanced and powerful personalities. Providing children with love, care and safe homes is the responsibility of parents; those who cannot should not have the right to keep children with them.
Works Cited
Westman, C. Jack. The Rationale and Feasibility of Licensing parents. Frontline. (November 1996). Retrieved from
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/little/readings/westman.html
Douglas M. Emily. Finkelhor, David. Child Maltreatment Fatalities Fact Sheet. (2015). Retrieved from
http://www.unh.edu/ccrc/factsheet/pdf/childfat_FS6.pdf.
