[Uncle_Joe]

The thing I find disturbing is that in the US, you have to have a license to drive a car. In many cases, that means having to pass a course on the rules of the road and complete a written test. This is in addition to a 'behind the wheel' test. All of this is to drive a car.

What do you have to do to have a child? Nothing...nada...zip. If you want one, go for it. You dont have to display any competence to care for one and you dont really even have to display any means to afford one. All you have to do is want to have one.

To me, that is just crazy. Sure we have all kinds of laws and agencies that can go after negligent parents, but that all occurs AFTER the negligence. In cases like this (and many others), its too late.

I'm not sure what the solution would be, but I know I'd certainly like to see potential parents have to display SOME form of basic parenting skills...