"Why can't parents just take responsibility and TEACH their children the responsibilities about being a parent."

I agree...adding laws, forcing birth control etc is not an alternative for good parenting and teaching.

Awesome question! I don't know if an age requirement would work, but a maturity requirement would be great! I adopted two of my children and we had to go through interviews, home inspections and face to face meetings with multiple people. I think everyone should have to go through this process before having a child placed in their care.

Good idea. I think we would see less child abuse.

I disagree....what proof is there that young age is what is linked to child abuse?

Might not be such a bad idea. In all honesty though, I guess I can't say for sure how I feel because I have seen with my own eyes that it isn't always about age, but maturity. Either way, you have a point and while I raise a 31 year old woman's children and see a 22 year old taking full responsibility, the majority of the "problem" seems to be giving birth at a young age. So I guess children ending up in foster homes does happen more with younger moms rather than older, but olders do it too I do think if we all held off for a few extra years at least, we may be able to make better decisions for our children.

I'll admit, I was not the least bit ready to take own kids at my age, but I did and surprised myself. I would rather me have those kids and have to give up some of my youth than for them to have been adopted into a new family and be broken from their siblings. I can't say I regret making the decision to take over, but I'd be lying if I said I was totally ready and capable. I STILL ain't! But doing your very best is what I think is important.

If we could somehow convince people to put off having kids til' 30's or at least mid-twenties, we'd probably see some improvements. I think people have babies and then think--from what other women my age who actually gave birth rather than adopted have said. Most mothers my age, like my girlfriends from high school either regret having the kids or have had them taken away, which breaks my heart. Most of my female friends have had their children taken away, but there are 2 or 3 that really give it their all. We're all in our early 20's and most of my friends got pregnant in high school or immediately after. I'm about the only one of us left that hasn't actually given birth to my own biological kids.

I don't know about a requirement for parenting, like for alcohol, but something like that might actually be a good thing. But what would we do if they did get pregnant, send them to jail? Lol. I'm all for women's rights, but this area could certainly be improved. I don't think we should take away a woman's rights to give birth, but something like an age "requirement" sounds kind of good to me.

Now that sounds pretty good!