Do you think teens should take parenting classes in school?

We had a child developement class in high school. It taught basic care of babies and information on pregnancy. One interesting aspect was that you actually had to take a mechanical baby home for the weekend. It was interesting because it really responded and did all of the things a normal infant would do. It was programed to cry and you had to go through all of the steps to find the reasons. I personally liked doing it, but we had one guy who failed because he locked the baby in the shed all weekend. It wasn't a required class though. A lot of people took it because it counted as a home econ. credit. We also had a parenting program for the pregnant girls. The school gave them pretty much all the resources and help they needed. It was nice that they did this because the girls really finished school and most went on to college also.

I have often thought that teens should take a field trip to an inner city hospital and sit in the room of a teen going through labor. Now if that doesn't teach some reality lessons, I don't know what would. Most of the ideas about pregnancy and delivery shown in the movies and on TV are so far from reality that it doesn't even come close. I remember thinking how a man would be so excited about his wife having a baby and how much attention the woman would get through that time. Even in the best of situations, this is just a plain fairy tale. There was no curriculum in high school related to parenting when I was in school. I learned to take care of children from watching my mother and taking care of siblings. I knew I did not want to bring any children into the world that did not have a daddy. That served me well when dating to keep my focused on something more than a roll in the sack.

yes, definitely. a lot of kids think that babies are so cute (which they are) but its a very different picture that is presented at 3 in the morning when baby wont sleep! i remember watching a baby show on TLC. the mother said she hoped she could get to sleep through the night (this was on the first night!) a lot of these new parents have NO clue!

When I was in high school, we didnt get offered parenting classes. I wish we did, I would have loved to take it just to have more experience. I myself became a mom at 17, just 2 months before turning 18. It was hard but I managed with very little help from my mom and dad. Not because they were mad at me but because I told them this is my fault I need to take responsiblity not you. They help when they can but that's not very often. I am now 23 pregnant with baby #3. I wouldnt wish anybody to get pregnant as a teenage. Finish highschool try to have a good job and know what to expect. I had alot of experience as I babysat my whole life since I was 10 years old. I do hope that every school starts offering parenting classes. I think that it would educate a bunch of young teens.

yes, youth nowadays enter into family life at a very early age. they should know how it is to become parents. they must be equipped with knowledge and skills on entering the stage of parenthood. one good and conducive way to educate the youth is to offer parenting classes in school. we all know that family is the basic foundation of our society and the success of every family lies on the hands of the parents. aside from parenting classes, reproductive health classes should also be offered.

In my high school they had a family course class. It had all kinds of lessons involving cooking, sewing, cleaning, and parenting. They had a whole month dedicated to parenting. And during one week starting on monday they would pass out this electronic baby dolls. Then take them away friday. The way it would work is the doll worked on a timer crying at diffent times throughout the day and night. Never the same times or never the same amounts. One night it could keep you up all night while the next not cry any. I made a 100. And it does grade you. The way it worked if you didn't get to the doll fast enough and stick the key in its back then it would deduct a point or more. Also it wasn't that simple. You had to put the key in twist it and hold it to the doll made a burp. Then if you didn't get the key out afterwards it would start crying again and that would cause more points. Still though I dont think it was enough to convince students how much of a responsibility children are. Most students made a joke out of the course. Some would laugh at it. Some thought it was cute and fun. I think there should be something more convincing.

hi mommaj, I do not know about the classes today in schools. We had one class in school about childrens care...(I am 43). But that was all we had. I would actually consider that children in school do have classes about parenting. Becouse there is so many things and issues that you are not aware of when having children. what you do not know you can not do without mistakes. And I think we as parents have done many mistakes that we really could have been without. If there was classes, perhaps there would be less teens with children. You cannot parenting a child as a child yourself.

When I was in school...30 years ago....we had child care and child development classes. There still are those classes. My girls have all taken them as well as a course on babysitting. Does it deter teen pregnancy? I really don't know but any education certainly can't hurt.

Absolutely! I think their parents should take parenting classes as well. Often when a parent comes to school to pick up their kid you end up feeling sorry for the poor kid who you realize is doing the best s/he can under the circumstances.

When i was in high school.there was no such parenting classes were there in our curriculum.but we had a moral science class where they mention all about living in a right manner