I Would Like to Have Kids Someday

I would like to have kids someday…

What if …

In the year 2025, people require the permission of the National Procreation Council and a parenting license in order to have and raise children. The federal government of Canada introduced the Parenting Control Act to help end the social epidemic of child neglect and abuse that plagued early 21st century Canadian society. The scientific advances in human genetics and reproductive technology in addition to changing environmental conditions also brought certain pressures to bear on public health in general and the well-being and healthy development of children in particular.
Prospective parents must now carefully consider their reasons for wanting children and apply to the National Procreation Council (NPC) for a license to reproduce and raise children. The law is enforced through controlling the reproductive systems of all male citizens. A combined surgical and biochemical procedure renders all males sterile at the age of puberty. Upon successful application to the NPC, the procedure is reversed and fertility is restored for a prescribed period of time.
The number of children parents may have is also regulated by the Parenting Control Act. In the world of 2025, Canadian society views and values children as the most precious and important of people. The well being and healthy development of children are considered a sacred trust. Canada governs itself accordingly.

PROCEDURE

o Each family unit prepares and submits a completed letter/video/recording of application to the NPC. The aim is to indicate to the NPC:

§ the qualities of good parents and parenting possessed by the family;

§ the situational factors in their lives that would affect family life and the raising of children;

§ the reasons for wanting children; and

§ how to best raise and care for children.

o Do not dwell on creating identities and lifestyles. The point is to get to the attributes of good parents, reasons for wanting children, etc. to show why the license and permission should be approved

o During a formal hearing, the prospective parents then present their application and Respond to any questions asked by the NPC.

o Use the questions below to help you design your application.

o You may choose to include baby names you have chosen.

This set of questions will help you pinpoint the personal attitudes and values you will bring to the role of parent. It will also help identify differences that may exist between you and your partner (if you have one). A discussion with a classmate could help to clarify your perspective.

· Do you currently spend time with children? Do you enjoy it?

· With what ages of children are you particularly comfortable? What age do you gravitate toward? (Addressing this question is a good reality check: parenthood is permanent and you can not just raise your kids during the “fun” years.)

· How do you cope with stress? (Research shows that your level of stress can affect your children and your ability to parent effectively..)

· What are your fears? What if your fears are met? (You cannot work out your fears in advance. Aspects of parenting are frightening – it is a big responsibility. But it can help to voice your fears and examine them now.)

· How much like your own parents do you want to be? How different do you want to be? (Our own parents are the best models we have for raising children. Some of their lessons are positive and others negative. Examine your life with your parents and think about what you can learn from their triumphs and shortcomings.)What would you like to pass on that you got from your parents? What would you not like to pass on?

· What are your priorities for your children? For example, do you want them all to have a college education? What values do you want to instill in them?

· What are your thoughts about disciplining children? Check with your partner or classmate and compare (This is an area where partners often disagree. Talking about these issues now would not prevent future problems, but it will give you a chance to talk about setting limits and how you might go about doing so.) What does your support system look like? (Childrearing is difficult to do on your own. Do you have a partner or family and friends nearby that you can look to for assistance?)

· What do you do when you have free time? What will you do when you do not have any free time? (This is one of the practical realities of parenthood. You will never again be able to do whatever you want, whenever you want, without considering the effect on your children. They will and should become your number one priority – are you ready for that?)

· How do you think your life will change? Your life will change irrevocably. Most parents say it is for the better, but the effect on your time, energy, wishes, and desires can be enormous. Take a moment now to think seriously about the new life you are considering (Source: Women Central).

I never want kids!

What if …

In the year 2025, people require the permission of the National Procreation Council in order to choose NOT to have children? The federal government of Canada introduced the Parenting Control Act to help repopulate the country, as our population is aging and the young people are not going to be able to support all the retired folks. The scientific advances in human genetics and reproductive technology have made it possible to insist that couples and individuals who have not chosen to have children naturally by age 30 will be medically made to have children. All parents who can afford it will be required to have at least two children and replace themselves.
Prospective parents must now carefully consider their reasons for not wanting children and apply to the National Procreation Council (NPC) for a license to NOT raise children.

The number of children parents should have is also regulated by the Parenting Control Act. In the world of 2025, Canadian society views and values children as the most precious and important of people. The well being and healthy development of children are considered a sacred trust. Canada governs itself accordingly.

PROCEDURE

o Each family unit prepares and submits a completed letter/video/recording of application to the NPC. The aim is to indicate to the NPC:

§ Why the family cannot raise children;

§ the reasons for not wanting children; and

§ how the family will be better able to contribute to Canadian society without having children.

o Do not dwell on creating identities and lifestyles. The point is to show why the license and permission should be approved

o During a formal hearing, the prospective parents then present their application and Respond to any questions asked by the NPC.

o Use the questions below to help you design your application.

· What are the reasons you do not wish to reproduce?

· How do you cope with stress? (Research shows that your level of stress can affect your children and your ability to parent effectively..)

· How will you ensure that you do not regret this decision later in your life?

· What are your priorities for your career and family? Are you going to make a contribution to Canadian society that will replace the positive impact that your children would have?

· What do you do when you have free time? How will you use that time to help other parents and citizens?

· How do you think your life will change? Your life will change irrevocably. Most people your age will be going through major changes as they go through the first years of parenting. They will have less time for you. What else will change for you?

· What will you do with your extra income, since you won’t be using it to raise children?

Debriefing
1. During the role-play, applicants generally appealed to the Council for permission to have a child on the basis of the following categories:

· situational factors;

· reasons for wanting children;

· personal qualities;

· child-care knowledge and skills.
Brainstorm the specific criteria and details for each category that were given during the role-play by prospective parents.

2. What were the most interesting/important/worthwhile qualities and reasons for wanting children stated by prospective parents?
3. What were the most interesting/important/challenging questions asked by the NPC?
4. Would a Procreation Council or some such authority be a good idea for a society or community to implement? Suggest some reasons for both supporting and rejecting such a practice. Who should decide about the worthiness of parents? Who is worthy of receiving children?
5. Do we have a right to have children?
6. Are there intangibles, things that cannot really be evaluated, in making judgements about who should be parents? Are there intuitive ways of discerning and judging who will be good parents?

NPC Role-play Assessment

Printable Role-play Application Form
Conclusion
What do you know now that you didn’t know before about: · The qualities and attributes of good parents and parenting? · Why you might decide to have or not have a child? · The role of the community and the larger society in supporting the well-being of children, parents and families?