In the essay Licensing Parents, LaFollette argues that the state should require all parents to be licensed (182). Though LaFollette considers some theoretical and practical objections to his claim, he gives no particular attention to how an activity could be precisely defined as potentially harmful to others, what specific competence would be required for an activity to be done safely, and how reliably such competence could be determined. In this paper, I will argue that the difficulty of clearly defining the three criteria for an activity to be licensed undermines LaFollette’s assertion that parenting ought to be licensed. After describing LaFollette’s basic rationale for licensing parents, I will indicate that parenting may not meet the …show more content…
Consequently, because “parenting is an activity potentially very harmful to children” (184) and “a parent must be competent if he is to avoid harming his children” (185), LaFollette concludes that the general criteria for regulatory licensing can be applied to parents. However, there are several theoretical and practical objections to LaFollette’s proposal, but he argues that they all fail to undermine the proposal. In the beginning of his argument, LaFollette claims that parenting is an activity potentially very harmful to children (184). However, LaFollette does not explicitly justify how parenting could be precisely defined as potentially harmful to children. In other words, LaFollette does not explicitly establish what comprises exactly the minimum amount of harm that makes the activity potentially harmful or very harmful. Instead, LaFollette only offers two scenarios in which children are harmed—abused or neglected—by their parents (184). In this paragraph, I shall argue that, without a precise
Parents usually have the best intentions – like protecting their children from life's hardships and preparing them for adulthood. However as with many other aspects of parenting, the results do not always match the intentions. Overprotective parents generally want to protect their children from harm, hurt, pain, failure, unhappiness, bad experiences, rejection, and disappointment (Lindsey 1). However, parents must realize that overprotective parenting has certain side effects. Parents believe that they are doing a favor for their children by keeping them safe without realizing that this parenting style can have severe effects on children such as robbing children of the essential life skills that they need in order to have a healthy
In the essay, “Licensing Parents” the author Hugh Lafollette argues that a licensing system would protect children and society overall. For Lafollette, a licensing system would train parents to obtain a basic level of expertise and would separate those who stand a serious risk to children. His argument for parental licensing is based on an effortless set of parallels. The most obvious example that he gives is the licensing system that governs the driving of cars. He says if you want to drive a car, you must earn a driving license which involves passing a test of comprehension and skills that establishes a “minimum” level of competence.
In order to not only promote the welfare of children within a setting but also to protect them from harm and abuse there are a number of pieces of legislation and statutory guidance that must be adhered to. Both laws and statutory guidance are mandatory and so legally enforceable and must act as a foundation of which policies and procedures within any setting can be based upon.
When the children are incapable, nurses have moral responsibility to assist parents in decision making in the children's best interest. "Substituting an adult judgement of what is in a child’s best interest is not necessarily equivalent with the child’s best interest (Coyne and Harder, 2011)." Acting in a child’s best interest requires parents and health professionals to take children's view seriously and give priority consideration to the impact of their decisions on children (Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children (CCRC). The adults have responsibilities towards their children to enable them in making decision but they do not have rights to make decision for their children (Lowden, 2002). Children should not be viewed as property. The first step in protecting the rights of children as outlined in the CRC is to view them as citizens (Van Daalen-Smith, 2010). When parents claim that the child belongs to them, they are establishing an ownership notion. Children should be respected as active contributor not as passive recipient of the health care (Maconochie and McNeill, 2010). Therefore, parental role in decision making for their children should be complementary not
Today, obtaining a license is necessary for a many activities including: driving, hunting, fishing, scuba diving, teaching, and practicing medicine, to name a few. In recent debate, licensing another aspect in our lives has arisen: parenting. Although incompetent parents exist, the need for a license to parent is an unethical and unconstitutional requirement that is impossible to regulate both before and after the birth of the child.
Raising a child is probably the most important thing a person will ever do in life. Yet we constantly hear stories of child abuse and neglect. What makes a good parent? Is it the money you earn? How about fancy schools? In liberal societies many people decide whether or not they wish to become parents. One of the key questions in making this decision is, what kind of parent will I be? Parenting skills range from excellent all the way to nonexistent. Do you think people with low parenting skills have the right to have children? This has been
This suggests the law is successful in meeting society’s needs for children not to be perceived as, “commodities.” However, this logic is disputed; why would one pay for a “commodity,” which will reap no financial gain? The only reason seems to be the personal reward of bonding with a child. Thus, the legislation can spawn
The frameworks of the Belmont report have several contrasts with the Anti-paternalism frameworks. Paternalism can be defined as behavior of a person, group of individuals or state that deny or limit
When the judge makes a choice a approperate law is put in place to stop the situation/case from being an issue. In Loco Parents In loco parentis means in the place of a parent, this is what the responsiable parents would give to another reliable adult that will be looking after their child when they’re under the age of 18, for example, intructor/teacher, childcare workers ect... Duty of Care/Higher Duty of Care Employee’s and employers have a responsiablity of care to other employee’s, general public and anyone else within the premises such as students are out of risk of danger, they also have duty of care over objects and equiptment within the premisies.
According to the (Association, 2015) there is insignificant acknowledgement of parental insistence. In the last several year in the United States the countless number of children under 5 years of age are killed, nevertheless they are murdered by the hands of their parents which is a high percentage that can be equally put in separation with mother and father.
The judgment raises interesting questions as to the characterisation of childbirth and parenthood within modern society. The majority in Cattanach appear to recognise this modern trend, treating the costs of raising a child born as a result of negligence as the consequential harm of an injury for which parents are entitled to compensation, just as victims of negligence ordinarily are in respect of damages that are not too remote.
The current problem is the continued rise in child abuse and neglect today. Within the United States, the problem of child abuse and neglect is far much common than most people would like to admit. Sanchez (2012) stated that child maltreatment is a global epidemic and a major social problem in the United States resulting in at least 740, 000 visits to hospital emergency departments and more than $124 in child welfare, criminal justice, and health care. Norman, Byambaa, De, Butchart, Scott, and Vos (2012) also observed that child abuse and neglect is a global problem that is mostly perpetrated by parental guardians and parents. Sexual abuse is the infringement of a child’s
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 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
Children are the future of the world and need to be nurtured and educated in the best conditions. Thus, parenting is one of the most challenging and admirable responsibilities that people can experience. Parenting plays important roles in the development of children’s characteristics. Some people nurture children depending on their own ways. Others get advice from friends or books. Parenting can be divided into three groups: authoritative, permissive, and democratic parenting.
A child’s parent or guardian will normally have authority over a child’s welfare. In regards to medical and mental health, a parent may subject the child to surgeries despite the objections of