Should underage pregnant teenagers be required to take parenting classes?
@sarahbeth1977 (384)
United States
December 28, 2006 2:00pm CST
Teachers often complain that, because of the lack of parenting at home, they are having to not only teach students their subject, but be parents to them at the same time because they don't learn discipline or other things at home from their parents. I see part of this problem stemming from the rise in teenage pregnancy and single parent families.
Often times, a parent will be doing their best to provide for the family in mediocre jobs that offer greater flexibility, and their children often end up having the TV as their babysitter (there is no judgment in that statement - I am trying to show that not every situation can be helped). But I digress...
If these teenagers are not getting a good example of what a parent is and what they should do and they end up pregnant, should these teenagers be required to take parenting classes since they are underaged?
2 people like this
7 responses
@loved1 (5328)
• United States
28 Dec 06
Considering the rise in child abuse and neglect I think it would be fair to say many people need to take parenting classes. Even if the teenage mom knows how to feed and diaper the baby, she may not know how to cope with crying, teething, tantrums, etc. Even many adult parents have trouble with this. I do feel like they should have mandatory parenting classes for underage parents because if the parent does not have the skills to care for the child, he will eventually be removed from the home. If he is removed from the home, he often becomes the taxpayers responsibility. Why not spend some of our tax money preventing this problem?
1 person likes this
@sarahbeth1977 (384)
• United States
28 Dec 06
Excellent idea - I don't know if there's something out there like this already, but there does need to be something done - and you brought up the key - if you point out that eventually the child will become the taxpayer's responsibility, I think more people will stand up and take notice. After all, most people have a hard enough time financially supporting there own children - why should they have to support someone elses. But hopefully education would help to prevent some of these problems.
@ljcapps (1925)
• United States
10 Jan 07
Mentally i'm jumping up and down and saying yes!! Actually i think any first time parents should take parenting classes. First, it reminds you you're not alone, if you don't have a good support system, and second, it teaches you things that you might not know. And if you do know, it's a good refresher course.
1 person likes this
@sassymommy (41)
• United States
9 Jan 07
Yeah I think teens shoul dhave to take all the parenting classes and baby classes. If they're underage, they shold be in HS, so it could be part of their regular school day. That way they know what they're doing and what they got into. Also I think a lot of teens think that they maybe able to have the baby and then their parents will raise the baby, sometimes it's true, but they should still have to take these classes, so they know how to do it.
@GardenGerty (160665)
• United States
9 Jan 07
I always enjoyed seeing the kids who had either the sack of flour that they had to take care of like a baby or later on our schools had "Baby wait awhiles" a kind of doll that was programed to cry and other things, and record when it was "neglected" as data. Those kinds of classes were for all kids. You may be right, though, pregnant teens may need a class in practical parenting. They might be motivated to do well, if the were pregnant at the time of the class. Then it would be for real. The class could run through some scenarios like what to do if the baby won't stop crying, and you just are so frustrated. It might even stop some abuse. Maybe that will be an option soon.
@lafavorito (2959)
• Philippines
5 Jan 07
Everyone should be taught the basics of parenting. It's the hardest job in the world, but the fulfillment is the greatest one. There are numerous ways on how to learn about how to become a good parent, magazines, seminars, internet, these sources are really helpful.
I signed up as a member at babycenter.com to have an insight on how my baby develops at a certain age, most information are quite obvious but some may surprise parents. There also suggestions on how to make a child brush his teeth properly, potty training and more.
@Lady_Vincy (1538)
• United States
10 Jan 07
I don't think they should because there are older people in the world that would be much worse parents than the young ones.
@annyka (16)
• Australia
30 Dec 06
I think not only teenagers, but everyone should have access to parenting classes.. But I also think it should be optional, with the option of being forced by law in the case of legally bad parenting..
(and I am one of those teachers who complain - it happens quite a lot)
