What does it take to be a good parent? Yes, I know I'm not in the position to judge as I've not reached that stage in my life. Even so, I've seen enough to make me want to put forth a qualification for a person to become a parent. I'm sure u've all seen "Nanny 911" or some other parenting TV show that literally have parenting experts examine families n help educate parents n their children how to behave as a family. It's funny because every time I watch that type of show, the parents are losing their minds, having total mental break downs, or yelling at their kids for everything. And u ask why? Well, because they can't handle their three or four kids. Hm, I wondered if it ever occured to them to use protection if they didn't want to have kids in the first place. That's oops #1. Oops #2, why have more than u can handle? I mean, yah it's a buffet, but it's one of those that'll cost extra for wasting food. Simple: don't have kids if u can't handle them. Period.
What I'm about to share with u is a story of the boss of a friend of mine. Don't ask how I come to know in such detail- let's just say, I had my share of her poorly-taught kids first hand. Now, many people who know me would know that when I'm dead serious, it shows. Growing up, even among my cousins, I was known to be the strict n difficult one simply because I don't cave to excuses or inappropriateness. Definitely a straight-hearted nightmare for most of them. But, of course, that's only because we're related n I strongly believe in the level of order n power that being an elder one is responsible for administring. Really, it's only because we share the same last name n I can't have u going out ruining mine. So, u can imagine "the immensity of the f*uck I do not care" about other people's kids as long as they don't get on my nerves. Except, this one wasn't particularly bright. Not only did she distrupt my conversations with another adult, she would not get out of my sight. I may have been the youngest person among the whole group of people, but that certainly does NOT qualify her to speak with me as if I'm her "peer". I may look young, but let not the eyes fool u. I could've made her so miserable for being so inappropriately present without much effort, as I've practiced for many years with my cousins. And, at more than one occasion, she yelled n spoked negatively about her mother in front of seniors. Seriously, if I were her, I would've dug a hole n jumped in. Of course, let's be real. I wouldn't've even bring my kids out into public if I couldn't handle them. That would just be setting myself up to look horrendously incapable as a parent.
For more than once, I really wanted to teach the kid a lesson. But, I realize, if I were to speak out n teach her what her parents should've taught her, then I'm doing them a favour. One of which I don't think I should, simply because I don't want to let them off the hook so easily. THEY should bear the embarrassment of their own disastrous masterpiece. It's only fair. I mean, it was their lack of parental abilites to bring up their kid properly, n their choice to take her out with others. So, in all fairness, they should at least have a taste of the great meal they've so carelessly whipped up. Shouldn't they?!
To bring in my university major expertise, I believe we can technically punish parents for their lack of child-rearing abilities. Firstly, if they can't handle kids, they shouldn't have had them in the first place. Secondly, if they were to have kids, they have to bear the responsibility to make them- at least to the best of their abilities- a positive contributor to the society. See, this goes back to the discussion of nature vs. nurture, n with years of observation, I can conclude that nurture has a bigger influence than nature. it's hard to "prove" with a simple post, but if u can just logically think about this: the chances of a kid going bad with bad parents- almost 100%; the chances of a kid going bad with good parents- less likely (bear in mind, we're talking about parenting skills here). A very clear example, which I'm sure most of u have personally experience or have seen of ur peers: the parent smokes but is completely against his/her child smoking. We agree that's definitely not the most convincing when the person telling u not to do something is doing it themselves, but u gotta give credit to them for admitting the behaviour's of a negative nature.
But yes, so what can we do? Possibly administer a "Parenthood Certification" to which they must pass the examination before they can be legally married (yes, I know that u can have kids when ur not married, but u really gotta stick with the norm here, n pick a stage in life to place this. If anything, u have to get it before u have a kid)- kinda like how the society gives u all the tools for being a good parent n if u fail to succeed, u n u alone should be held responsible. Not society- yes, we don't want to be feeding ur criminal kids when they pop in n out of jail on a regular basis ALL BECAUSE u failed at proper child-rearing. How would this work? We can all tell the "problem child" in a classroom, can't we? We can also pick out the "bad seed" in a group, can't we? Well, those parents better be certified or else they're gonna be the ones held responsible. I mean, I wouldn't want my kid to be among a "bad apple". We know how a rotten apple can spoil the whole basket, right? For the sake of our future, let's not leave it to chance that people will "naturally" be good parents n raise good children. Of course, I'm not saying it's impossible to be naturally good parents, but there are the odd ones out, n those are the ones we need to sift out.
U see what a SINGLE rotten apple was able to make me do? Write a whole post on how parents need to be certified. Yes, don't let others suffer for ur lack of parenting skills. I only pity the kid for not knowing better, n hold the parents entirely responsible for all the rest.
(hey guys, am I doing this right?)