Miranda Baker

Charlotte Howe
English 2010
February 7, 2016

Dear Congress,
We all know that Child neglect and related abuse is a real problem faced in our society.
In 2014 Channel 2 news reported that Utah had 6,900 cases of child abuse, 27% child sex abuse
(the highest in the nation) and 13% child neglect reported. This abuse ranges from a first time
parent not knowing how to handle a crying baby to a parent who doesnt know the best way to
discipline their child. This abuse can lead to horrific situations. Just talking about it wont change
reality. If we dont do something, if we don't act, chaos will be in our future. These shootings,
bombings, and terrorist attacks we see on the news will just be the beginning to a rapid decline of
humanity as we know it. So what can we do? How can we help improve the situation? The best
way to combat these consequences is by starting with the parents. We can do this by having
mandatory parenting classes that will help parents understand their children more, and improve
the relationships in the family as a whole.
Benefits of Certification
Everyone knows if you go to Burger King the people making your food have a permit to
make your cheeseburger. Those who are in the police force and protect our communities against
crime must be trained in their field before they become a police officer. There are a numerous
amount of mandatory certificates people must have in order to do something for a career, or even

driving a car. Though many citizens have to be certified for various occupations, a majority of
them are not certified to raise the past and present children.
Now how is it that you have to have a permit to pour some fries into a container but you
dont need any prior training to take care of and bring up a living breathing human being? In fact
all certifications are based on the wellbeing of society except where it all begins: the parents.
None of us are born with the knowledge of how to parent. The only place that we learn parenting
is from our own parents, role models, strong spouses and from voluntary classes. Unfortunately
not everyone is lucky enough to be born into such circumstances.
My Circumstance
My childhood was a peaceful blissful existence. I saw two loving, parents, and a family
filled with love. Like any family we had our own routine. My father worked from morning till
night, and my mother from night till the early hours of the morning. My siblings and I would go
to school. And on weekends wed all gather together and spend time as a family. So then why
would I want parenting classes? My family seems normal right? What I didnt know was that
what I saw wasnt the whole picture.
For most of my childhood and early teen years, I was a pretty happy go lucky kid. My
smile was almost always present on my face. As I entered middle school, I was filled with
excitement and awe. It had been awhile since I had been to a normal public school. It was
definitely a welcome change of environment.
I had some fun times in middle school. I Participated in a couple plays, sang in the
school wide talent show, and even managed to make some friends. It was a pretty normal
experience, and by the time middle school was over I was pretty confident. I continued on. I left

the world of middle school behind, accepted it, and moved on, completely unaware of the
emotional peril that lied ahead.
The following summer was filled with unexpected revelations about our family. As they
came to light my parents went their separate ways. I was caught in the middle of it all Mother
and Father pulling me by my arms like you would in tug of war, only in this scenario I was the
rope. When I learned the same truth, I let go of her. She tried to make up for her choice, but she
never was willing to teach me what mattered. She wanted to buy my love, instead of teaching me
how to cook, clean, or any other skill I mightve found useful as I got older. Her poor example of
parenting and her disregard for anything but her own happiness left me and my father to fend for
ourselves. I had to teach myself how to cook, clean, and take care of my family. Without any
training, and practically overnight, I became the mother.
From experience I know it isnt most ideal situation if you have abusive parents, no role
models and if you dont have the time or money to invest in parenting classes. This is where the
idea of mandated parenting classes funded from the government and taxpayers really starts to
shine.
Mandatory classes
These mandated parenting classes would be easy to attend because theyd be close to
home, and would allow for incentives such as paid days off of work to take the classes. I propose
there be foundational and supplemental courses. The foundational courses would be mandatory
for everybody because they would include classes that include:
1. A human growth and developmental course on child development: A basic study of brain
development and behaviors of children in certain ages.

2. Family relations class: Effective communication skills and family government along with
different parenting styles.
3. Crime prevention including drug and alcohol prevention and when to spot abuse of any
kind to child offspring, (especially from those in the community), stranger danger, and
basic family emergency preparations (fire drills, 72 hour kits, earthquake drills etc.)
Now we all know that a parent has the biggest influence on a child's life. When you increase
that influence, and preach towards a more positive message you get a younger generation who
will want to stay in school and who will want to better their lives. Unlike now where there are
over 6,500 inmates that are overcrowding our state prison. In turn that will spill over into county
jails and allow for pre-release and work privileges to all sorts of criminals. Although I question
whether this problem will decrease if these parenting classes were required, what we have is
obviously not working as well as it should.

Voluntary classes
There will be specific classes aimed for different family structures namely: the nuclear
family, divorced and single parent families, and those living with extended family or foster care
specific classes. We all know that parenting is the most effective when you have a respectful and
understanding relationship between the family members. That is why I propose a family therapist
would be the best teacher for these classes. Not to mention school professors in related fields.
There are a variety of classes that will be part of the program. The supplemental class list
would include the following:

Child Development

This class will cover the physical and emotional changes that occur in human beings from birth
to the end of adolescence.

Parenting Together

This class will teach how to best work together as a parenting team. There are conflicts that
occur in between parents daily. It will assist in unifying couples and better family relationships.

Healthy Communication

This class will teach basic communication skills. It will teach the best ways to talk to your child.
Babies, toddlers, kids, and teens are all in different stages of live. This will help many parents
understand how to effectively communicate with their child.

Understanding Temperament

Temperament is a persons nature, mainly as it permanently affect their behavior. This class will
help parents understand their childs personality and how to know what they need.

Discipline

This class will share the variety of discipline techniques and styles. It will weigh the pros and
cons of each and give the effectiveness of each type. These courses include incentives for people
in good standing with the law. Meaning they do not break the law. Namely health insurance
discounts, garbage and utilities discounts, child delivery discounts etc.
There are different days of the week and times when the classes can be taught. They will
be available online as well. Since these supplemental courses are voluntary, we would provide
tax incentives for those parents that decide to take these classes.
Funding parenting classes

Small taxes on things that affect the family are most appropriate and could bring in
millions of income to fund these classes. Therefore families do not pay for these courses in any
other manner except small taxes.
Small taxes include one penny increase on things that affect families in positive ways:
garbage pickup, childrens clothes, diapers, etc...For things that affect the family in a negative
manner a dollar tax could be added on such things as tobacco and alcohol.
Bill Applegarth, mayor of Riverton, in an interview talked about keeping the funds safe,
You would need a non-profit organization to handle and distribute funds accordingly that is out
of the state budget. That way the state doesnt take it out of its budget the following year during
budget review. Something like the ZAPTAX: Zoo, arts, and parks tax; where the state would
otherwise cut out it of the budget the funds are safely in the hands of a non-profit
organization...the state wont touch that he said.
The Opposition to Required Parenting Classes
The question, Should all parents be required to attend parenting classes? is discussed in
our society and is a very controversial topic. As I conducted research on this subject I stumbled
upon debate.org. The topic hit home for people, and is very offensive to many parents. The group
that is against this measure have many objections to the classes. They say things like Its a
complete waste of time, Nobody knows their child better than the parent, and Every parent
has the right to raise their child as they see fit. All these arguments can be easily countered.

The first priority of a parent should be the well being of their child. If a parent says, It is
a waste of time they dont have their child in mind. They are selfishly thinking about
themselves and their time. Its true that no one knows their child better than the parent, but no

matter how good a parent might think they are, there are many ways they can unintentionally
damage a child. Educating parents with the best techniques on how to raise their child will plant
a seed for a better generation.
Some may say that organizations meant to stop abuse in the family are good enough. The
main problem is that these organizations aim to stop abuse after it's been reported, the emotional
and physical pain has already been inflicted. Parenting classes are the preventative measure to
such abuse.
The Result
Once these classes start taking place we will start to see the improvement. We will see the
3.3 million reports of child maltreatment start to drop. These cases of child neglect will
become less frequent, and more children will have the opportunity to be raised with the tools
needed to become a productive citizen. It wont make for a perfect society, but it will definitely
make for a better one. No child should be without the advantage of capable parents. I was lucky
to have a dad to support me and our family financially, and that I turned out ok despite the
handicap. I was the exception, not the rule. Nevertheless, no matter what you decide to do, I hope
we can work together to build a bright future for the next generation.
Sincerely, Miranda Baker

Works Cited Page

"Chronic Neglect Publications." Chronic Neglect. Ed. Caren Kaplan. American Humane Society,
1 Nov. 2009. Web. 20 Nov. 2015.
"Long-Term Consequences of Child Abuse and Neglect." Child Welfare Information Gateway.
Child Welfare Information Gateway, July 2013. Web. 20 Nov. 2015.
Census.gov np. Web. 21 Nov. 2015
governmentregistry.org np. Web. 21 Nov. 2015
Rod Decker and Larry D. Curtis. Utah has high rates of child abuse, sex abuse of children
Channel 2 news KUTV, Utah, 2 Nov. 2015. Television