Parental rights vs. property rights
When government officials move to regulate private enterprises, they normally encounter very little public resistance. Business licensing is embraced without question. Regulation of private business is well accepted. In other words, nearly everyone accepts the premise that government has a self-evident right to intervene in the affairs of the marketplace.
This government “right” is accepted on the basis of such notions as the “public welfare,” the “common good,” the “public interest,” or “the needs of society.” It is a distinctly utilitarian premise: We must do what is right for the majority of the population, even if that means infringing upon the natural rights of particular individuals. The group is inherently more important than any one individual, who may be sacrificed for the whole, if necessary.
To anyone who cherishes freedom, such a view is extremely alarming. Yet, as long as it only applies to the realm of private enterprise and private property, most people remain unconcerned. They continue to believe that private enterprise (and private property) should be regulated for society’s collective benefit. No question about it. No objections raised.
But suppose the same utilitarian principle is applied beyond the realms of private property and private enterprise? Suppose it is applied to parenting as well?
After all, parenting is just as important as private enterprise. That is, like private enterprise, parenting can also have a profound effect upon the proper functioning of society.
The failures of a parent can produce a mass murderer or other criminal–a clear danger to society, to the majority.
Therefore, on the very same basis–the public good–shouldn’t we regulate parenting as we do private enterprise and private property? Shouldn’t we compromise parental rights as rigorously as we do private property rights?
If the anti-free enterprise and private property rights people wish to remain consistent, they should also demand heavy regulation of parenting and the family. They should demand that parents obtain a parenting license before producing offspring. They should demand that parents undertake government training and pass extensive parental licensing exams.
To ensure that the parent has the necessary resources, enlightened government officials should also demand that parents produce a $20,000 security deposit before raising children. Government bureaucrats from the Department of Parenting should be allowed to enter households and make surprise inspections to ensure compliance with parenting regulations–just as they do with private enterprises.
Naturally, people would never stand for this type of government violation of parental rights. People would instantly protest and demand that government mind its own damn business. I don’t know why they allow the government to violate private property (private enterprise) rights in a similar fashion: It is the same principle.
