What are you thinking RIGHT NOW?

[FireAndSun]

^ My perspective on who can raise a child is if they are abusive or unable to provide a child with a decent environment for growing up. Cultural differnces don't usually affect how well you can raise a child.

[KopsTheTerminator]

^ I'm honestly not sure. We don't do enough for children from my perspective. Even if one doesn't like children, they don't deserve to be mistreated. Children are our future. They need to be raised properly.

Definitely. Truthfully, I don't genuinely hate children. I hate being around noisy/bad-mannered children yes, but ultimately it's really their parents who should be held responsible. Well-mannered children are just sweethearts and usually pleasant to be around really.

I think more people should honestly adopt a child before bringing their own into the world, why bring more lives into the world when there are already so many here waiting for a home and a family? Ridiculous.

That too, definitely. It's really a shame, though admittedly I've heard that the processes of adoption are difficult which is why people are put off by the concept. Not that it excuses it, if you can't adopt maybe it's time to reconsider having your own child for the time being.

Raising a child is something completely subject to the parent. There are thousands of cultures on this planet, each with different philosophies on life - Child-rearing being an aspect of such. To implement a parenting-liscensing scheme is to enforce one particular philosophy on child-rearing, and completely stripping away culture.

Whether you claim someone's child-rearing philosophy is retarded or not is your own belief. I too believe that there are many dumb parents out there who do stupid crap, but ultimately it's their fault if their child turns out to be stupid crap as well. Nobody has any right to enforce any culture onto another person.

I do value freedom. I value raising a child humanely to be a productive member of society more than giving people the freedom to be bad parents, though.

By whose authority? You want to pick and choose who gets to raise a child and who doesn't? This is some 1984-level totalitarian regime stuff right here.

I didn't know not wanting children to have crappy childhoods because of child abuse is totalitarian.

[Arbystrider]

^ My perspective on who can raise a child is if they are abusive or unable to provide a child with a decent environment for growing up. Cultural differnces don't usually affect how well you can raise a child.

Then nobody is fit to raise any child.

Not in this wretched economic system.

[Arbystrider]

I didn't know not wanting children to have crappy childhoods because of child abuse is totalitarian.

What is totalitarian is the means you proposed to accomplish this ideal.

[FireAndSun]

Then nobody is fit to raise any child.

Not in this wretched economic system.

Maybe not. Honestly, I don't think restricting who can and can't have kids is a realistic goal in the present world. It would negatively affect too many people, especially the poor. And it's unfair to discriminate against people for circumstances they can't control. I'm merely saying what I wish could be done if it were possible.

[Arbystrider]

t's unfair to discriminate against people for circumstances they can't control.

Nepotistic corporations would seem to disagree with you there.

[KopsTheTerminator]

Maybe not. Honestly, I don't think restricting who can and can't have kids is a realistic goal in the present world. It would negatively affect too many people, especially the poor. And it's unfair to discriminate against people for circumstances they can't control. I'm merely saying what I wish could be done if it were possible.

Yeah we're just talking ideally here. Not really sure how that would be implemented currently.

Also holy crap I don't know how this discussion got started. I was just annoyed that a kid keeps being brought here against its will crying its heart out each time.

[Shadowfax]

Over here in the UK, adoption is VERY difficult. I wanted to adopt (Aswell as have my own) but honestly, the laws around it are so damn tight and some of their 'rules' are ridiculous. For example; If you were to adopt, you aren't even allowed to hug the child. I'm sorry, but how is that fair on the child? Trying to incorporate them into part of your family and make them feel loved and you aren't even allowed to hug them? Nor kiss them goodnight? So when your poor child falls over and cuts their knee open and all they want is a hug... you're not allowed to comfort them? I was chatting to a lady at work about this just before I left on maternity and she was put off by all the stupid rules they have in place. It's a shame the rules are so strict or I think more people would adopt over here.

I do know of one successful adoption story, took my friends parents three years to get approved... And that was for a family of four kids. Poor things.

I do agree there are alot of irresponsible parents out there. Especially those who have kids just for benefits. That's a pet hate of mine so i'll leave it at that or i'll end up writing an essay.

When we decided on having a baby, I made sure I was a) Financially secure and had a secure job as was my partner b) My mental health had settled and c) We could definitely afford one and finally that we were both 100% ready. It's a big decision and alot of people sadly rush into it these days.

[KopsTheTerminator]

Over here in the UK, adoption is VERY difficult. I wanted to adopt (Aswell as have my own) but honestly, the laws around it are so damn tight and some of their 'rules' are ridiculous. For example; If you were to adopt, you aren't even allowed to hug the child. I'm sorry, but how is that fair on the child? Trying to incorporate them into part of your family and make them feel loved and you aren't even allowed to hug them? Nor kiss them goodnight? So when your poor child falls over and cuts their knee open and all they want is a hug... you're not allowed to comfort them? I was chatting to a lady at work about this just before I left on maternity and she was put off by all the stupid rules they have in place. It's a shame the rules are so strict or I think more people would adopt over here.

Wait... what?? What's the reasoning behind not being able to be loving towards them?? That's just neglectful, who thought of it??

[Shadowfax]

^ Apparently so. A regular customer at my workplace was going through the process early last year and had to pull out because she just couldn't bare having a child if she couldn't treat them like her own. It's just ridiculous. But then, alot of rules and regulations are over here.