It seems apparent that there are already many necessary criteria that must be continuously fulfilled in order to be allowed to raise children, and thankfully so. As a minimum, all state’s laws require intervention upon occurrence of “Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker, which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse, or exploitation, or an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm.”
Beyond these bare minimums which are wonderful ideals to enforce, most states include various laws concerning neglectful parents. These mothers and fathers are frequently defined by the failure to responsibly provide “the child needed food, clothing, shelter, medical care, or supervision such that the child's health, safety, and well-being are threatened with harm.” Just as important are the clauses that further protect the child from “injury to the psychological capacity or emotional stability as evidenced by an observable or substantial change in behavior, emotional response, or cognition, or as evidenced by anxiety, depression, withdrawal, or aggressive behavior.”(Gateway, 2009) Some states go further by investigating cases of paternal illicit drug usage and cases involving child abandonment. Other states would do well to follow suit.
So, above and beyond the current system I may have to agree with my fellow students that too many further measures may become questionably unethical. Yet, I will suggest one further basic requirement. Every parent should have a basic knowledge of the course of child development; the government could fund a continuing education program in every community that ensured every parent was sufficiently prepared intellectually to foster optimal development.
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