Should parenting classes be mandatory in high school?

[Fitness-Fanatic]

Why , why not?

[hsshannah96]

Yes there should be a parenting class that states why you stop giving your child pacifiers when they turn two and the importance behind that. It should discuss the benefits of preschool and that children who go to preschool tend to do better than children who stay home. It should discuss different discipline techniques and the importance of them. It should discuss infant development and the cons of walkers. It should cover the most common reasons for children acting out: not knowing what to expect/no clear rules and lack of structure/boredom

[hsshannah96]

The reason you see children running amok at the grocery stores is because they have nothing to do !!! They’re bored stiff!!! You need to give them something to do to be involved. Before you go to the grocery store you should set up expectations for behavior you want to see. Come on guys these are simple basics... everybody should know this stuff...

[mermaidrocketship]

I went to a horrible middle school where there were gangs and fights. Kids would have LOVED to take care of a baby. The only thing that would calm even the worst kids was talking about their families. I think parenting classes involve real world skills that kids would really buckle down and learn. I think a lot of frustration is with learning tricky math and science. Let kids be smart in other ways. It would do wonders for self esteem.

[macdaddy36]

I think schools need a general knowledge class that covers parenting, taxs, minor automacantics, marriage guidance, income budgeting, sex education, gun handleing, etc. Basically all the things everyone needs to have knowledge on but usually has to learn on there own.

[anxiousanon]

Parenting classes are subjective. Not only that, but I feel like those are things your parents should be teaching you at home. Same goes for home economics, how to file taxes, and how to budget.

[Giirrrll]

Mandatory? Maybe an option. If they wanted to. If anything, it should be coming a lot from the parents themselves.

[englisc]

I'm not sure, it would depend on what they were being taught. I think that a lot of modern parenting techniques are harmful to children, even things that so-called "experts" encourage. If they taught these things I'd say no it's not a good idea. If not, then yeah it would be a good idea.

[madgoat]

I wonder if time and money would be better spent on showing kids what a healthy partnership looks like. And go from there.

[laddsk8er]

We had to carry fake babies made out of bags of sugar in middle school for a week. Our grade was based on how they looked on the end of the week. Friday was field day and my friend stole mine and kicked him across the football field. He exploded. My answer it wouldn't be taken seriously.

[CottenBrick]

There would be so many problems that we'd have to go through for a proper lesson.

But honestly, there's enough in our culture to already teach people how to be good parents. Its down to the people to decide how to do it. People will probably not use what they learned behind closed doors anyway. Its the only time their not putting on a show

[Leafpool2]

I don't know? I never had one so I can't say if it has benefits. I don't know how it could hurt. Aside from annoying the fuck out of people because those baby dolls duck

[Leafpool2]

*suck

[Glipglops]

No, what high school kid would take it seriously?
Waste of time that doesn't impart any knowledge they couldn't learn from their parents, common sense, or a book/the internet.

[Hans222]

Maybe briefly touching the subject, yes... classes not really.
What I would value more are first aid classes around age 13-15. That would save lives, also those of kids :D

[danpossibly]

they sill those baby things in the states? um I guess in areas with high teenage pregnancy rates, though safe sex education is probably a higher priority then lugging around a baby shaped motion detector

[ravedave]

Nope, not everyone plans on being a parent, and that time could be spent better preparing for your future career than learning how to take care of a kid.

[thottiana]

If this was apart of school it would be the most beneficial compared to everything else

[ravedave]

Nope. Financial security > parenting skills, because you shouldn't be a parent if you're not financially secure. If you get pregnant in high school, than that's the result of poor life choice, suffer.

Offer more electives or specialized classes for people to explore career choices, or learn additional or more in depth skills rather than force some arbitrary parenting class that not everyone is interested in or is going to use.

[ravedave]

Besides, most schools already have some sort of "parenting" class, it's just not mandatory, mine did at least.

[thottiana]

I was talking about the stuff already in place, like math science history and English. Pointless things that will not prepare us for the further at all. Down here where I go there is no financial class or whatever u talking about

[ravedave]

I pity you if your truly believe those subjects are pointless. Maybe when you grow up you'll understand the world a bit better.

[thottiana]

Its pointless past 6th grade. We won’t have any use for it in the future unless you become a teacher or something

[thottiana]

Can you not with that grow up shit like I can understand perfectly fine at this age

[ravedave]

Almost any and every quality job you can find outside of manual labor requires further education. You wanna be an engineer, pharmacist, nurse, computer tech, physical therapist, accountant, etc, etc.

I wouldn't be bringing up the "grow up shit" if it wasn't applicable. You sound like every angsty high school teen who thinks it's all pointless, and then once you go to college to actually attempt to pursue your dreams, you come to realize just how important these topics are, how they impact your surroundings and life.

[ravedave]

As I said, maybe when you're out of highschool and you're actually attempting to do something worthwhile you'll have a better respect and regard for proper education.

[thottiana]

That’s why people go to college, to learn those things.

[ravedave]

And people go to highschool as preparation for college not to learn parenting skills.

[ravedave]

I'm not saying it shouldn't be a class, I'm simply saying it shouldn't be mandatory.

[thottiana]

Proper education is one thing, not useless information that I don’t even remember after a week.

[Cwazzycwafter]

No but they should be bigger. They should be mandatory for anyone who plans on having children and a family, but that’s not everyone

[mesasme]

It should be mandatory that schools offer it as a course

[Purin]

No, because some of us never want a kid ever so it would be a waste of time. Not to mention parenting is not something fixed to 1 model.

[Yakasmashi]

I think so yes... to see if actually they want to be a parent or not and to see if they will truly be a good parent or a bad parent then it will show there true side

[Freakles87]

No.

Parenting is a learning curve. You learn how to parent as you parent.

[pepwave21]

It would be great as an elective. I think many kids would want to take it.

[anarchia]

No. There's enough to learn in school already. Parenting can also easily be learned by parents

[Whatthefluff]

Not a bad idea, honestly. I know a lot of bad parents who could've used mandatory education

[godsmack0212]

I think they should, either it'll stop them from wanting a kid so early or they'll at least know how to take care of the kid if they do still have one, I don't see there being any downside to a class like this

[worldscolide]

With the current abject failure of parents to teach and diciplin their children it has to start somewhere.

[BrianMerritt]

No. Different people have different values, and parenting kids is not a school's job to teach.

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

Yes it should be mandatory cause it prepares teens on parenting skills.

[britpop]

No because every child is different and plus passing that class might make someone think there ready to be a parent before they are

[gclark2708]

Na I think it should be mandatory when expecting, but teaching it to teenagers won't work in my opinion

[jokercard]

Not mandatory because not everyone wants screaming hellspawns of their own but they could definitely be available

[purpleflur23]

I believe they should. With kids having kids these days they need to know what to do in case the baby chokes or it has any issue. The parents are responsible for teaching them the rest

[AynonOMouse]

No because they would obviously try to promote liberal BS according to those pictures.

[Glipglops]

What?

[NYCQuestions1976]

I think it's a good idea, but only after math, science, history, and literature are nailed down.

[ZeussLightningBolt]

I'd say no. I think it would only be encouraging people to have children at a young age.

[Kitty369]

Yes i think it is important to give a sense of responsibility

[jasco]

it could help lots of kids and adults these days so yes

[Epithelium]

I wouldn't mind them added but we still have a huge issue with funding that we need to fix first

[Dxk007]

In college yes. And, a class about how to respect others in high school.

[TheFlak38]

Scratching my head. never thought of that. Could something like this really work?

[LuWe22]

We did not have that and I know no school that does that

[BronzedAdonis]

nope, its not relevant and time/resources better spent elsewhere

[nmiacroglies]

Yes! Maybe it would help teens realize having a baby is no joke and they are not cute little fashion accessories! They are a lot of work!

[Creepyolive]

Huge nope. Parenting should be taught by parents themselves, and could you imagine how boring that would be?

[rotchellee567]

Not mandatory but it will be fun if they had this in high school for the kids that want to learn

[Repa33]

I think it would be a cool option

[chrisv]

Should be part of sex education

[pizzalovershouse]

should start at age 9

[Kai02]

Not mandatory but should definitively be an option

[beebella]

Not mandatory, but it should be optional.

[outside_Toronto]

Nope. They should not

[AlphaStyles]

It should be optional

[HereIbe]

No, because they are too doctrinaire.

[lirannl]

No. Not everyone is interested in having children.

[thottiana]

Most people are

[thottiana]

And u never know what happens

[lirannl]

That still doesn't justify compulsory parenting classes. Offering them as an option is a great idea, many people have a lot to gain, however, forcing it upon everyone sucks.

[thottiana]

Ok but what about all the unnecessary classes?

[thottiana]

You never know what happens, you might end up having a kid

[thottiana]

All the other*

[lirannl]

Or not. You never know, YOU might end up NOT having a kid.

[thottiana]

Yes but if u plan not to have a kid, and then have sex and get someone pregnant and u decide not to put it in adoption because morals or something it would be nice to know right

[lirannl]

That's one big if. What if you decide not to have a kid? Parenting classes would be a waste of time.

[thottiana]

What about the the classes that are in place that are a waste of time? Parenting classes make more sense

[thottiana]

And it’s not that big of an if, everyone has sex. If your having sex you could potentially have a kid

[Kandy-Kane]

Yessss

[Pink2000]

Nope

[Guyofallguys2]

Nope.

[Larry1202]

Yaa... Why not

[AlexDelux]

Couldn't be bad

[bradfordro]

Huh.