Homework 131, Cassidy

The main part of the paper starts at the bottom of page 42 (starting with "WHAT KIND OF PARENT WILL I BE?"). Your answers must be in your own words.

1. a. What, in Cassidy's view, is the difference between an incompetent parent and a competent (but not excellent) parent? (1pt)
b. What, in Cassidy's view, is the difference between a competent parent and an excellent parent? Does she think an excellent parent has to be perfect (e.g. to do everything possible to make sure their child lives the best possible life)? (1pt)

2. In arguing that it is wrong to have children if you expect to be merely competent (and not excellent) as a parent, Cassidy claims that parenting is "too important to do in a way that is just good enough."
a. Give two other examples of jobs that, plausibly, are too important to do in a way that is just good enough. (This is not from the text - you have to think of your own examples, although reading what Cassidy says about parenting will help you think of examples) Support your claim that these jobs are too important to do in a way that is just good enough. (2pts)
b. What makes these jobs too important to do in a way that is just good enough? Does parenting have these same features? Why or why not? (2pts)

3. Cassidy discusses an objection to her view: that it can't be worse for a child to have competent parents than to not be born at all. Explain in your own words Cassidy's response to this objection. (2pts)

4. To what extent do you agree with or disagree with Cassidy? Why? (2pts)