ABSTRACT
This chapter explains what is mean by parental licensing, explicates Hugh La Follette's arguments for it, and discusses standard objections. It indicates some disagreement with La Follette that, perhaps paradoxically, strengthens the case for endorsing parental licensing. The evidence regarding harms by biological parents is clear and there is reason to believe that much of that harm could be prevented with parental licensing. The chapter shows how invoking the harm principle provides a powerful reply. Some may initially oppose parental licensing even if they find the harm principle, particularly as harm principle 1A (HP1A), plausible as a jurisprudential principle. Licensing is always the government giving professionals an ability to charge customers higher prices by limiting competition. With a parental licensing program, if someone becomes pregnant before being licensed to raise a child and wants to raise the child, they must get licensed to do so.
