Parenting Without a License
Parenting is one of the few human activities in which one human being can control the behavior of another human being without having to demonstrate any skill or proficiency whatsoever. Our society regulates beautician and taxidermists, but not parents. It may be a bit if a stretch to have people take a number like they do at the DMV for their driving test, to demonstrate their ability to be parents before the fact, but at least we might, as a society, set some minimum standards of parental behavior, like outlawing assault and battery. Here is a case in point from Cincinnati, where a former city official beat his 14 year-old son with a belt. A judge ruled that he committed no crime. It certainly begs the question just where is the line? Details here.