Should young mothers be required to take a parenting class?

I am writing an argumentative paper about weather or not mothers (especially young mothers) should or should not be required to take a parenting class.





So it would be great if you would give me your opinion, yes or no. AND why you think that. Thanks!Should young mothers be required to take a parenting class?
I believe BOTH parents, young or adults should be required to take parenting classes, especially if they aren't married. I believe it's necessary, a lot of people think they are mature enough to have kids and we have a bunch of disfunctional people having families and then those are being broken because people were not educated enough, or a lot more people are nowadays having kids without even being married, I'm one of those by the way, and I wish my parents would have educated me better! of course I can't blame it on them now, but how we are raised has a lot to do with what we do in our future, how we act, what mistakes we might make, etc.Should young mothers be required to take a parenting class?
i think if a woman (or girl) is receiving any support from the government, then yes absolutely.





edit- and a course or two in taking responsibility couldn't hurt either.
No, because there are plenty of 19, 21, 25, 30, 40 etc. mothers who need parenting classes just as badly, and I certainly don't want to mandate that we take parenting classes. Ug, the indoctrination.





I don't necessarily have a problem with Amsam's suggestion that women receiving aid take them, other than that I wouldn't set much faith in them.
Whilst I do think parenting classes should be made available to those who feel they would benefit from them, I don't think young mums should be singled out as being incapable. Mothering is part instinct after all and that can't be taught. So my opinion is no, is shouldn't be a requirement, merely an option =)
The more laws we pass that let the government control us, the less freedom we have. This is 2009, most educated parents are able to pick up and book or browse the internet and learn the basics of how to hold a baby and change their diaper. If we require remedial classes for all new parents, do you really think the government will stop there? Why not remedial classes for all new pet owners? Want to adopt a cat? Sit through a 5 hour class to learn ';don't kick your cat';. Want to move into a house with a fireplace? Sit through a remedial class about how to not burn your house down.





Please don't control my life, big brother.
well i think d%26amp;a pretty much has it covered, but seriously? im not trying to sound rude but would you try to take an engine apart and put it back together without taking an automotive class first...think about.
no i do not, age does not define how good of mother one is. I am a young mother and by far better than some older mothers i know personally.
Better idea: Everyone should be required to pass specific testing before being able to have a child. That would stop teen pregnancy and prevent idiots from reproducing.





Or wait we could make everyone take parenting classes regardless of age, mental level, or income.





Another option would be to only allow those making over a specified amount reproduce.
Why only young moms? If you look at the ';discipline techniques'; that so many Americans use, I believe that every parent should take it...Just check out how many parents believe that it is ok to hit kids with belts...or that ';hot-saucing'; them isn't abuse...hell they need to learn a lot...
No. But I believe that if someone knows they need guidance in raising a child then they can CHOSE to take a parenting class. And this should be done before you have a baby. But if you are already a mother, you should know how to care for a baby. If you have no knowledge on how to care for a child then you have no business having children in the first place. I am a young mother myself, and before I had my baby I knew I would be a great mom. I have been around children my entire life, so I got all the practice I needed. I would hate to be forced to take parenting classes. I need to enjoy being a mother. And even if I'm not perfect, I will learn everything I need to learn and grow with my child by doing the things I need to do not by having someone down my throat telling me how I should raise my child.
My personal belief is yes, everybody should, especially teen mothers because they have less experience.





Argument for yes - children deserve to be looked after properly, and most mothers should want to provide in the best way possible for their children so they would probably consent anyways. Even if they think they know everything, chances are they would learn something.





Argument for no - parenthood is a personal choice and should not be regulated by the government
I believe ALL parents should have to take a parenting class (as well as stress management) Your age does not determine if you will be a good parent. Alot depends on how that person was raised, their own temperament, and what they consider right and wrong. Look at the cases of child abuse where the mom did it or allowed it to happen this one story always brings tears to my eyes. I think the little girl was about 6-18 months old. She was beaten, bitten, raped and starved and finally killed by the mom, grandfather and uncle the mom was not young either. How she was raised to think this was in any way acceptable is what I want to know.
I am an advocate for freedom, so a ';requirement';...NO. A recommended option...YES. Kids don't come with instructions and unless we were brought up in a healthy environment, we will pass on this dysfunction to the children of the next generation. And kids having kids is just a disaster waiting to happen, unless you have a great support system to back you up.
Yes! (all parents, not just young, and not just mothers)
Nope. Young mothers can be just as good a mum as an older one.
That's an interestingly simple subject. NO, young mothers should not be required to take a parenting class. In making that required by law, you are in essence saying that all young mothers are ill-prepared for the task of parenting. Certainly there are young mothers that could do with a good deal of learning and growing up, but there are also young mothers that are intelligent and fully capable of being excellent parents. Stereotyping is never a great idea, no matter what the subject. If we're going to go so far as to impose this class on ALL young mothers, why don't we just go ahead and revoke licenses to all individuals above the age of 60? Why not make all overweight people go to fitness bootcamps? Why don't we make all ugly people take classes on how to present themselves better? Why not take your ';all young mothers are ill-prepared for parenthood'; idea and take it a step further- we should just make every girl below the age of 30 be on birth control, and if they're to mess up and get pregnant anyways, why don't we make it mandatory that they put up their child/children for adoption? There's a simple reason why none of these things will happen: The U.S. is a free nation. Take a look at the Constitution- requiring all young mothers to take a parenting class would, to be frank, be taking a dump all over it.
I'm not sure if it should be a requirement but it should definately be highly recommended. I am 20 and pregnant and I do consider myself to be a young mother (to be) but I would love to take parenting classes but there's really only so much they can teach you in a class. I think a lot of it is just instinct. But very young teens such as the 12 year olds I hear of being pregnant I think they need to and also people that are getting help from the government. Not that there's anything wrong with getting help from the government in my opinion. People are always bashing those that have to use it but those people have families that have paid taxes just like everyone else so why not just look at it like they're using the money their family paid in? I understand being upset about the people that abuse it but there are people, especially with the economy now, that really need it but I think parenting classes would help prepare moms-to-be. I think what would be best is if more schools would do programs to help younger kids to realize that being a parent isn't as easy as they think and it's not like going out and getting a puppy. I see on here all the time kids from 14-17 that are still in school, not working, unmarried but want to have a baby and this is disturbing to me. I would really like to know what is causing kids to want to have a child at such a young age.
Only if the same is true for young fathers.





Let's keep up with the times. Both mothers and fathers care for children.
No. Because parenting takes practice and you don't know what it's like to be a parent until you have a child of your own. Siblings do not count as parenting practice. Plus there is no one parenting method that works for all children.
No. My mom had me young and she was the best mom I've known. A lot of girls will learn from their own parents and dont' need to take a parenting class. I feel maybe it should be encouraged, but it definately should not be required.