Restructuring the Public School Curriculum To Include Parenting Education Classes.

Overview & Synopsis

Although the current educational climate stresses a back-to-basics approach, there is nonetheless overwhelming evidence of a need for an appropriately structured parenting education program in the public school curriculum. Reasons for this need include the large number of teenage pregnancies and abortions. These lead teens to miss high school graduation and obtain poor jobs or live on welfare. Many physiological risks are associated with early parenthood, including poor nutrition and a high likelihood of suicide. Babies of young parents are more likely than other babies to have low birth weight or to be abused by their families. Teens need to be educated about the consequences of sexual activity. Parenting education curriculum in the U.S. generally stresses family roles, community responsibilities, decision making, parenting options and readiness, life goals, and dangers of teen pregnancies. This document recommends that: (1) colleges of education implement courses that reflect the changing nature of the family; (2) state boards of education develop parenting education curricula; (3) state boards of education establish minimum standards for parenting education teachers; and (4) public schools cooperate with state agencies concerned with parenting. Nineteen references are appended. (SAK)