ABSTRACT
This chapter examines a particular kind of prospective responsibility that associated with the occupation of a role. Most roles and role-responsibility can be defined with reference to formal norms and standards. While the object of the parent's responsibility, the child, might be more specific and longer-term than that of the doctor's role and responsibility. Parental responsibility is unconditional; this means that the responsibility exists regardless of what the child is, or does, or becomes. Hugh LaFollette explains that two de facto forms of parenting licence already exist in most countries. First, any couple who want children can apply to adopt one. The second precedent is admittedly very rare. If a woman has shown herself to be repeatedly and predictably incapable of looking after a child in the past, then social workers can make a decision to remove the next child at birth, that is, without giving her another chance.
