An interesting series of articles have come about in the past week, and that raises a question “Should IQ Tests be implemented to determine ability to parent?”
Some things that are not taken into account with the question are, which test should be used to determine one’s intelligence, what if the targeted parent has sufficient family and network support to effectively parent, and that is only the tip of the iceberg. The questions go on before we allow government intervention on a precautionary “what-if” basis.
Now this type of mentality hasn’t hit the United States Courts in full-stream yet, but it is happening in other parts of the world. In a UK Publication, How dare they say I’m too dumb to be a mum: Defiant mother speaks out after courts rule she’s ‘too stupid’ to care for her child (MailOnline: June 5, 2009), the article quotes the mother and her child as follows:
‘Every time I see my daughter, she says “Mummy, why can’t I come home with you?” and I have to tell her: “I would really love to take you home, but if I do a policeman will come along and take you away and arrest me,”‘ says Rachel, 24.
In the same UK Article it states that:
Nottingham Social Services have decided that Rachel – who cannot be named in full for legal reasons – lacks the intelligence and parenting skills to bring up her own child. In short, as this week’s news reports sensationally revealed, she has been judged ‘too stupid’ to be a good mother.
The same story seems to be permeating other parts of the world, including the US, and it should be watched closely to ensure that government isn’t inviting itself into the parenting styles of every citizen. We will keep you posted as we think this has a significant on the parental rights of parents that have not committed any crimes.
