I think there is a compelling logic to this idea. You could even make passing the class attendence based in terms of “passing” and make it extremely basic with ideas like, “don’t shake babies” being the core syllabus.
I suppose there are two problems with it. Firstly, the practicalities/logistics of implementing it are so far fetched that even the most authoritarian country like China would struggle to implement it. If it is completely impractical then it becomes a mere thought experiment and the only real action you can take after considering it is voting for a political party which prioritises education so more parents are prepared and informed.
The second issue is that - even if you managed to implement such a policy - it is literally eugenics and you would quickly see the genetic makeup of society change and skew towards wealthy people. I don’t think we can judge what groups should get the right to exist even if in theory the test is egalitarian.
I don’t disagree… Which is why this is definitely a thought experiment… But why would it necessarily skew towards rich people? Some of the least qualified/worst parents I’ve ever known were rich people. Are you saying poor people are less capable of learning or passing a class? I guess you would probably need to make it a paid program and illegal to fire someone who’s taking the class. Gotta make it accessible to everyone.
I think there is a compelling logic to this idea. You could even make passing the class attendence based in terms of “passing” and make it extremely basic with ideas like, “don’t shake babies” being the core syllabus.
I suppose there are two problems with it. Firstly, the practicalities/logistics of implementing it are so far fetched that even the most authoritarian country like China would struggle to implement it. If it is completely impractical then it becomes a mere thought experiment and the only real action you can take after considering it is voting for a political party which prioritises education so more parents are prepared and informed.
The second issue is that - even if you managed to implement such a policy - it is literally eugenics and you would quickly see the genetic makeup of society change and skew towards wealthy people. I don’t think we can judge what groups should get the right to exist even if in theory the test is egalitarian.
I don’t disagree… Which is why this is definitely a thought experiment… But why would it necessarily skew towards rich people? Some of the least qualified/worst parents I’ve ever known were rich people. Are you saying poor people are less capable of learning or passing a class? I guess you would probably need to make it a paid program and illegal to fire someone who’s taking the class. Gotta make it accessible to everyone.