Should parenting skills be a compulsory part of the school curriculum?

Lets face it, kids don't come with instructions, but it would seem that a lot of parents are opting out and letting the TV keep their kids entertained, allowing young girls to wear inappropriate clothing, bringing up a generation of couch potatoes who live off chicken nuggets, and spoiling their kids with material objects. I am of course generalising, but you get my point. Should we be teaching kids how to be better parents in order to improve the next generation? Or is that the nanny state going too far?Should parenting skills be a compulsory part of the school curriculum?
You can't make their decisions for them, but giving them a good background knowledge to make educated decisions as parents is great. I really think the biggest problem we have today is lack of parenting skills and involvement. Then most of the problems are blamed on the schools. If we are getting the blame for the problem we might as well do something to change it. I think parenting skills should be a requirement for graduation.Should parenting skills be a compulsory part of the school curriculum?
I think that your ideas are Noble, but there is a little problem called NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND! This little problem truly ties the hands of educators from even thinking about teaching these skills (with the exception of health classes, but even then they do not include truly parenting skills). Not too mention that in an indirect manner the lesson would be attacking the ';parents'; (for lack of a better word) and cause major phone calls and whining by a class of otherwise quiet class of .............Ah people.





This would be a great idea, but in the reality that we live in mmmmmmm no.





However, there is good news to report. If you are a teacher and looking to do this all you need to do is simple become creative in your methods of teaching. Use books that promote good morals, model appropriate ways of dressing and conducting yourself both at work and in the town you teach in.





As a teacher of students that are deemed ';At-Risk'; I often find myself asking the for original thoughts and sayings. As an example, because I teach ';Social Development'; to my class, when we discuss bullying my students often respond ';Yo, I would pop that fool'; at that time I advise them that this is a typical response but now is the time to explore some non typical answers.





Good luck bell just rang and kids are coming in :-)





Barbo
Do you want the federal government teaching your kid how to be a parent- it is scary enough with the things they teach them now
I have done this sort of thing for years, and yes it works.


It is an optional class that the kids get to take and since I work in a private school, the course is one I designed.


We incorporate parenting with home-economics. What better way to teach children how to take care of their own personal needs and those of the children that come after.


Using love and logic this is the most popular class I teach.


Your on the right track!
Absolutely not. The teachers in our schools--including you if you are a teacher--spend entirely too much time indoctrinating children with their ideology and precious little time teaching--which is what they are supposed to be doing and are getting paid to do.





Teachers need--and should be required to-refrain from trying to tell young people how they are supposed to live. That is the parent's job. What cloths kids wear, what food they choose to eat, etc--or how they choose to rais their children, when the time comes, is none of the schools business--or yours.
What a great idea. It sure couldn't hurt.
I think your idea is a great one for all of the reasons you cite. However, I expect that many parents and some churches would strongly object to such a course being required in high school. I think that we should somehow be teaching parents to be better parents but it is such a subjective issue that you can never reach agreement. Perhaps a general ';life skills'; class wherein kids are taught many skills such as living within your means, proper phone etiquette, smart shopping, nutrition do's and don'ts, and parenting skills. It is a tall order but for many kids it could certainly help.