Permit to Parent...Should You Have to Get A Permit to Have Children?

      In light of several cases of recent child neglect, abuse and just downright bad parenting, I wanted to pose the question, "Should there be preliminary screenings or restrictions placed on people who wish to become parents, especially those with prior convictions or diagnosed psychological illnesses?"   

   
     Here we see Jessica Howell (to the left), a 25 year old mother, who was dating (Jordan Prince) a known registered sex offender, whom she allegedly gave consent to rape and kill her 4 month old baby and on December 3rd of last year, he did just that.  Recently, Jordan (boyfriend of mother) was indicted on counts of first degree murder and Jessica (the mother) on counts of second degree murder.
      My heart hurts for what that 4 month old, voiceless child must have went through and what so many other young children like her go through everyday.  Children who cannot speak for themselves and cannot fight back.  Children who are expected to be protected by their parents, but instead are placed in harms way.   Having children should be a gift from God, not to be taken lightly, but it seems more and more often, we see cases of horrific evil senseless adults having children and misusing their power as parents.  How could anyone as demonic and sick as this woman be allowed to parent a child, let alone walk the streets, period?  Unfortunately, this is not as uncommon as one may think.  Every day, more than four children die at the hands of child abusers, 80% under the age of four.  So I ask again,  "Should there be preliminary screenings or restrictions placed on people who wish to become parents, especially people with prior convictions or diagnosed psychological issues?"   What do you think?

Also, I dont want to end this post without saying that even if you could never imagine allowing someone to do this to your child, please take a second to understand that child abuse comes in many forms, some of which have become common among young parents and they are as follows:

1. Dressing your child in inappropriate attire
2. Allowing children to watch overtly sexual or overly violent shows/movies
3. Telling your children to dance inappropriately for their age
4. Allowing children in the room as you and your partner have sexual intercourse
5. Leaving your child with unfit sitters and/or people you do not know well
6. Allowing your children to drink alcoholic beverages, smoke or do drugs

These are just to name a few.  It is never too late to learn how to become an effective and knowledgeable parent.  Please use the utmost discernment when deciding to bring others around your children and in deciding what is right and wrong for a child's normal/natural development.  What you may deem okay, may be child neglect or abuse.  There are resources available to you (i.e.Skillful Parenting, Parent Education Program, etc.)  If you suspect ANY form of child abuse is going on, please call 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) IT IS YOUR BUSINESS, IT IS YOUR DUTY!

PARENT FAILS!