Shannon Livingstone

Mrs. Cosoleto

Literary Genres

February 6, 2017

In an ideal world, there would be tests for people who want to have children. However,

this world is anything but ideal. The idea that there should be tests makes perfect sense because

when a couple or individual wants to adopt a child they are psychologically evaluated and there

are home visits. There’s even training and home visits when a person wants to adopt a dog.

There are questions that need to be asked. Can this person compartmentalize their feelings and

not take their anger out on their toddler? Can this individual try to not live vicariously through

their children and essentially force them to lead a life that will make them unhappy? Can this

couple be able to handle having multiple children financially and emotionally?

A test would never work or be foolproof; despite the fact that there is a population

problem and an epidemic of childhood trauma. It is important to note that it is impossible to stop

people from doing the act that makes children. Religion plays a large role as well. Sacred texts

were written thousands of years ago when humanity was constantly on the brink of extinction. Of

course, “grow and prosper” would be on the forefront of everyone’s minds. Nevertheless,

currently, we have grown too much and not prospered enough. However, challenging the idea

that as a species we need to slow down a bit, is going against God’s word. Conveniently, the

religious often fail to factor in the fact that these books were written by man and created
thousands of years ago. I think it would be quite difficult to leave some of one’s own opinions

out of it or the opinions of that time.

For this paper’s sake, let’s say there is a utopian or dystopian society (however one may

view it) that adheres to the test. A person being able to pass a test means nothing. I can complete

and go through medical school with flying colors but at the same time not know where to search

for a pulse. The ability to do well on a test does not always indicate intelligence. Sometimes it is

just a matter of regurgitating what was put into one’s mind. There are geniuses who flunked out

of college. There are morons with doctorate degrees. In general, tests mean nothing but they are

either discouraging or motivating. There is, and will always be, a way to beat the system.

Whatever the system is, there’s a way to beat it. At some point, those who genuinely pass the test

will tell those who may struggle a bit how to pass the test. There would be classes on what

exactly to do or say. It would not change how that person or couple would raise their child, but

they passed the test and that is all that matters. Also, it is very easy for people to say that they

will do better than their parents. Everyone thinks we will able to raise our children better than

our parents raised us. If the test real and I had no outside help, I could mean every single answer

with all my heart. Of course, I would never take my anger out on my kid. I would always

encourage them to do what they love as long as it’s within reason. Yes, I am financially and

emotionally stable. However, there is no way for me to know for sure exactly what I would be

like once I have a child. Every single licensed driver had to take a test in order to be able to

legally drive. However, there are still car accidents, people who text and drive, and people who

drive while under the influence. Test or not, inadequate parenting will always be an issue.