Instead of offering such instruction only to teenage parents or requiring it for someone who has already abused a child, supporters of such programs say, preparing the next generation of parents should be part of the curriculum for every student --even those who haven't been out of diapers long themselves.
Mh, I can't decide either in favor or against this. On the one hand I agree that children so young will learn more general attitudes than specific knowledge, but I also believe that even those "attitudes" are at least useful, and a way of making these children aware that one day they too will be parents, and they should look forward to that day with responsibility and a good disposition.
Having grown up always surrounded by kids and babies, I am biased, and have the tendency to think that this fact has somehow made me have a better attitude about parenthood and children and family. I can only hope that educational programs as that mentioned in the article will have the same effect on these children, and then they will not be a simple waste of time and money.