As I began to write this blog, I was reminded of the spanking fiasco. The debate remains unanswered. Is spanking bad? The answer to this question, although a simple yes or no, extend to a person's particular beliefs on child rearing. Thus, the essence of parenthood is making difficult decisions regarding the treatment of your child. Within this example lies the opportunity for flexibility, if a parent takes the punishment of spanking too far and begins to abuse their child- other forces must take action. Overall, I am against government interference with regards to parenting because it contradicts the beliefs and functions of the government and attempts to promote a utopia in America. However, exceptions due exist and demand attention- it is here that government interference moves into a gray area. This grey area should be reserved for the protection of children and solely used to insure health and happiness.
The function of the government does not extend to pushing personal agenda and mandates into the lives of everyday citizens. In today's society, the government has assumed roles it was never designated for and subsequently has amassed debt and dissatisfaction. In the case of parenting, the government is attempting to administer subjective tests that deny the power of the parents and relegate children to particular spheres. The government is under the misconception that it is its role to decide what is best for a particular person. This, however, is a violation of our rights as Americans. We are entitled to the pursuit of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. If raising children a particular, not politically correct way is your desire, then you should be able to raise a children as you choose. The different bills making their way into government, the Pre-K Act and the Education Begins at Home Act, is "intruding on parental autonomy and authority and it's not necessarily accurate or welcome information" (Effrem). Of course, today's society finds the government's actions beneficial and therefore good and refuses to acknowledge the rights their are losing. Needless to say, in its attempt to regulate school lunches and early education, the government is basically stripping parent's of their rights and placing children under the supervision of the state. Not only is the government therefore manipulating the next generation of children, but their are establishing disconnection between the relationships of children and parents. These new initiatives overstep the bounds of government in an attempt to force health and education upon children. Although health and education are not bad elements, the government cannot be the 'parents' of children- it is not their role.
Furthermore, the desire for government regulation and control stems from a hope that humanity can achieve a perfect society on earth. This defies Christian doctrine and speaks to a hope that is fleeting and impossible. Due to people's dependency on the government for happiness, American society has allowed the government to destroy their rights and privileges as parents. As Christians, we must understand that the government is made up of mere man and is therefore as corrupt as we are. Therefore, our trust and happiness cannot be reliant upon the government's benefits, but on the glory and power of God. The government is not in possession of absolute truth or wisdom and thus we should not trust them to make decisions in the lives of our children. First of all, it is contradictory for the government to speak of tolerance and liberty and then attempt to kidnap the lives of our children. Furthermore, the government is removing society's ability to work hard and persevere in order to achieve our goals. They are simply attempting to 'hand out' happiness.
Finally, the government is not useless and in order to protect children, the government must interfere at some points. The government's priority should be the protection of the children and in the areas of abuse, neglect, and other examples of torment- the government should step in. However, it should provide a stricter system of comprehending which people are in vital need of assistance. Otherwise, people's dependency on the government promotes laziness and dissatisfaction. The limit to be drawn on government interference is not a simple answer, instead the government should be reminded of its function, its bank account, and its abilities in order to begin interfering. Especially in the area of parenting, the government is overstepping and removing the rights it guarantees to its people.
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