Any discussion about youth problems in Bermuda inevitably brings up the role that good parenting should, but often does not , play.

To that end, the legislation passed in the House of Assembly on Friday requiring parents to take an interest in their children's schooling is a step in the right direction.

Broadly, the legislation gives principals the right to refer parents who fail to meet their obligations to attend parenting classes or counselling in the first instance and to refer them to the courts as a last resort.

Some instances of parental obligations make sense.

Parents should ensure that their children attend school and are punctual, that they are properly dressed, that they do their homework and that parents attend parent teacher meetings all make sense.

Some of the other obligations go too far.

Under the proposals, parents are required to accompany their children on school trips at least once a year and are required to help to supervise at least one recreational period in a year.

On the face of it, having each parent give up one or two working days a year to be with their child may not seem to be too much, although the number obviously expands if the parent has more than one school-age child.

But given that an employer could not be expected to compensate a parent for the time, this will require a financial sacrifice on the part of the parent that seems unfair.

These "obligations" should be voluntary.

The other open question surrounds the parenting classes or counselling and who will be supervising it. What will the curriculum consist of? How much counselling is enough and who decides that?

None of these questions were explored in Friday's debate in the House, but they need to be answered before the parental code comes into effect.

Still, this legislation is a step in the right direction.

Education Minister Paula Cox was right she stated: "However, we must remember that parents are responsible for their children, and that as a country, we are collectively appalled each time there is a transgression committed by a student, often wondering aloud 'where are the child's parents'.

"Parenting is not a choice. It is an obligation. Part of the obligation is to step to the wicket and be an active and positive force in the life of the child."

There should be room as well for some "preventative" training as well. Parents could be required to attending parenting courses and training when they first put their children into primary school.

First-time parents in particular welcome advice and assistance and ensuring that they are aware of their obligations and responsibilities at the outset will remove the need for counselling or punishment later on.