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Politics : Sharks in the Septic Tank -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Lane3 who wrote (72673)	8/20/2003 5:54:54 PM
From: The Philosopher	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 82486

All you've done is pick at an approach to giving parents who are inclined to try a tool for their toolkit That's not what it is. It's not a tool parents can pick and choose. Parents aren't permitted to take their children to the multiplex at the mall and send the children in to watch certain movies while the parents shop, even if the parents are willing to have the children watch that movie. Big Brother intercedes and says we're replacing your parental discretion with out discretion, we're taking away both your obligation and your right to control your children's viewing outside of your physical presence. That's not a tool, that's a commandment.

To: Lane3 who wrote (72673)	8/20/2003 6:21:28 PM
From: The Philosopher	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 82486

Our court system requires parents with children who are undergoing a divorce to take a parenting class which deals with how to help children through the divorce process. This has been upheld as not violative of their rights. While many of my clients balk and resist and refuse until I tell them that if they refuse they will eventually be held in contempt of court and fined and potentially jailed, every one has come back and said the class was really excellent and helpful. While I have some concerns about the intereference with individual liberties that I would want to think about, I also think it maybe quite possible to require prospective newlyweds, before they can get a marriage license, to take parenting classes unless they can show that they are beyond the age of conception. I also think may be acceptable to require parents whose children get into trouble in school or with the law to take parenting classes. Most parents want to do a good job raising their children but lack the knowledge and tools (their own tools, not societally imposed tools!) to carry out their intentions. It wouldn't be a perfect solution -- there would still be some parents who would refuse or be unable to control their children -- it would certainly help. The other thing that would help would be smaller communities. In this town, parents know the children and support each other. If a child misbehaves in town, the parents are likely to get a call before the child domes home, and to greet them at the door with a question such as "and just what were you doing at the movies when you said you were going to study with Michelle??" It does help!