Parents, would you allow your 16-yr old daughter to...
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Octavia
Ideal_Rock
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DH wants to sail solo around the world one day and I don''t think I''d let him...so my 16-year-old kid? Oh hells no. Between the physical challenges and the mental ones (not to mention the fact that the sea is inherently a risky place), it''s just not something a minor should be doing. If it''s her dream to "one day" do it, let her wait until she''s 18+ and I have no power to stop her.
Totally agree that there are plenty of things teenagers can do on their own, and I''d probably even be fine letting my kid sail with a crew. But IMO,the open sea just isn''t a good place for anyone to be alone, especially a kid.
Totally agree that there are plenty of things teenagers can do on their own, and I''d probably even be fine letting my kid sail with a crew. But IMO,the open sea just isn''t a good place for anyone to be alone, especially a kid.
that_someone_special
Ideal_Rock
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Maybe if I was smoking crack.
qtiekiki
Ideal_Rock
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I think this is the exact reason why the parents allowed her to do it... that her brother did it at 17 or something. And she was trying to break the world''s record for youngest to sail around the world.
And to answer the original question - No, I would let my DD do it.
that_someone_special
Ideal_Rock
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Most all the big sailing records have already been made, and are insanely hard and expensive to try to beat, so being "the youngest" of something is something that is doable.
Sounds like this family has too much money AND is unbalanced about things. A bad combo.
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Thanks for posting about that sailing forum ksinger.
I''m reading it and it is riveting!!!!!!!!
I don''t think we are allowed to post links but it is easy to google up.
When you get there just fink the forum with the most posts.
Then find the 90-page thread.
Navigate to page 79.
Scroll down to post #1968.
That is when this sailing forum hear the news about her activating her emergency beacons today.
It is riveting reading!!!!!!!!
Cehrabehra
Super_Ideal_Rock
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I have a hard time letting my kids out of my sight, I cannot fathom this, whatsoever. MAYBE I''d let my child steer the motorboat while I was standing next to her... maybe lol
RaiKai
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I have been reading those Sailing Anarchy posts...interesting. Sounds like the route she took is considered more difficult than those her brother or Jessica did (and even Jessica got lucky a few times as she put her mast in the water a few times and so on).
Again comparing this to a trip to Europe is like comparing a walk in the local park to climbing Everest. Sure, something can happen to you in the park, but the chances of dying on Everest no matter how careful and experienced you are is FAR greater (and it happens frequently even to the top climbers).
Miracles happen, but rescues in these situations are the rarity, not the norm, and in some cases just logistically impossible (considering fuel supply for the distance out there, weather conditions and so on, suitability for chopper rescue and so on) Even if so far she is alright, hypothermia is a huge concern - it does not take long to set in.
Again, I hope for the best but I think a lot is wrong with this entire situation.
Again comparing this to a trip to Europe is like comparing a walk in the local park to climbing Everest. Sure, something can happen to you in the park, but the chances of dying on Everest no matter how careful and experienced you are is FAR greater (and it happens frequently even to the top climbers).
Miracles happen, but rescues in these situations are the rarity, not the norm, and in some cases just logistically impossible (considering fuel supply for the distance out there, weather conditions and so on, suitability for chopper rescue and so on) Even if so far she is alright, hypothermia is a huge concern - it does not take long to set in.
Again, I hope for the best but I think a lot is wrong with this entire situation.
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Honestly, this doesn''t stir up much emotion for me. Of course I hope that this girl is alive and well. If she''s not alive, I hope she died quickly and painlessly. I have a daughter the same age. Asking myself whether or not I''d let my own daughter try this is kind of pointless because I know she would never want to in the first place. We are not a sailing family, my daughter doesn''t have a driving ambition to set a any kind of world-record and our family doesn''t have the "faith in god" that maybe allows people to take these kind of risks.
I see the question of "would you allow your kid" to really mean "should they have allowed their kid?" Is it really so terrible? Lots of people think I''m crazy to let my cats wander freely outside, especially since I''ve had one never come home, but I would rather a cat live the life I feel is right for a cat even if it means risking a shorter life for the cat. Some would say, how can you compare a CAT to a child -- well that''s another thread, right? This family obviously feels that their daughter should be able to pursue her dream. If she doesn''t make it, I believe they will not regret their decision.
As for rescue costs -- whatever. More money will be wasted on far less important things!
I see the question of "would you allow your kid" to really mean "should they have allowed their kid?" Is it really so terrible? Lots of people think I''m crazy to let my cats wander freely outside, especially since I''ve had one never come home, but I would rather a cat live the life I feel is right for a cat even if it means risking a shorter life for the cat. Some would say, how can you compare a CAT to a child -- well that''s another thread, right?
This family obviously feels that their daughter should be able to pursue her dream. If she doesn''t make it, I believe they will not regret their decision.As for rescue costs -- whatever. More money will be wasted on far less important things!
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It''s not just the rescue costs, it''s the rescuers'' lives.Date: 6/10/2010 9:57:52 PM
Author: Maria D
Honestly, this doesn''t stir up much emotion for me. Of course I hope that this girl is alive and well. If she''s not alive, I hope she died quickly and painlessly. I have a daughter the same age. Asking myself whether or not I''d let my own daughter try this is kind of pointless because I know she would never want to in the first place. We are not a sailing family, my daughter doesn''t have a driving ambition to set a any kind of world-record and our family doesn''t have the ''faith in god'' that maybe allows people to take these kind of risks.
I see the question of ''would you allow your kid'' to really mean ''should they have allowed their kid?'' Is it really so terrible? Lots of people think I''m crazy to let my cats wander freely outside, especially since I''ve had one never come home, but I would rather a cat live the life I feel is right for a cat even if it means risking a shorter life for the cat. Some would say, how can you compare a CAT to a child -- well that''s another thread, right?
As for rescue costs -- whatever. More money will be wasted on far less important things!
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I'm not following the story too closely, but I would think that the rescuers are volunteers, no? Is anyone being forced to risk their life to save this girl? I would imagine it's not as if they are like the 18 (17 with parental permission) year old boys who signed up for the Army National Guard and ended up risking their lives "fighting for freedom" in Iraq.
Snicklefritz
Brilliant_Rock
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Resounding NO! I''m so worried for the poor girl.
RaiKai
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Rescuers in these situations tend to be a combination of merchant mariners (who often get their first) and SAR techs (for whom this is their job). They are risking their lives in the same conditions that have necessitated the rescue in the first place. So no, it is not just about costs and it is not as simple as saying they volunteered.
For some of them it is their job, but I know enough SAR techs to know they still at times recognize risking their own lives due to anothers foolish choices and are not thrilled about it.
Lauren8211
Super_Ideal_Rock
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No... I would not be able to give permission for something like this. Too scary.
Amethyste
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I biked the entire west coast ( from Nanaimo BC to Tijuana Mexico ) all by myself when I just turned 17 - I was gone for 3 months. My dad couldn't talk me out of it. I felt confident in my abilities to handle this by myself and glad I did it. I learned so much, I grew up a lot that summer... Gave me confidence that I could handle life and its unexpected bumps and ravines. She is growing and learning that in her own way... I know it seems young for most - but I can relate to her closely.
anitabee
Shiny_Rock
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uh, isn''t there some sorta law against allowing your not yet 18-year-old CHILD do something stupid like this?!!
i also like the part where she gets the $90,000 boat at age 16. i guess it''s free reign in that household!
NOT OVER MY DEAD BODY (or my child might end up a dead body)... some people just don''t get it. sigh
i also like the part where she gets the $90,000 boat at age 16. i guess it''s free reign in that household!
NOT OVER MY DEAD BODY (or my child might end up a dead body)... some people just don''t get it. sigh
missydebby
Brilliant_Rock
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That was actually a Dutch girl, who has divorced parents. And 1 parent said absolutely not.
At 16, one thinks they are invincible and cannot make an informed choice. Why all the rush to be "youngest this" and "youngest that"? If it''s about breaking a record, then I question the decision making process.
By the way, there are a whole lot of things I might steer my children away from because I consider it too dangerous that is not at all like an extreme sport. For instance, I''m so happy my daughter got out of ballet and into Karate. Superficially, Karate might seem more dangerous, but I know plenty of girls that do ballet and grow up having eating and body image disorders. That''s way more of a burden and way more dangerous in my mind, than potentially having your butt kicked in sparing practice.
Blackpaw
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Im following it on the aussie newspapers i still follow online.
I think its rather stupid on the part of the girl and the parents but then many people are so these things are bound to happen. I thought the same about the aussie girl who just did it - i guess to me it seems like a really pointless record to risk your life over. Who gives a rats if you sailed round the world? Now if you ''sailed round the world'' in the sense that you put up in lovely beach resorts in Europe, Asia, the Carribean, the Pacific id be thinking you were pretty cool and id be jealous - but bobbing about the big bad ocean in a tin can? Meh!
On the upside Australian search and rescue are pretty amazing and they often rescue crazies from the seas...i hope they find her alive and bankrupt the hell out of her family
I think its rather stupid on the part of the girl and the parents but then many people are so these things are bound to happen. I thought the same about the aussie girl who just did it - i guess to me it seems like a really pointless record to risk your life over. Who gives a rats if you sailed round the world? Now if you ''sailed round the world'' in the sense that you put up in lovely beach resorts in Europe, Asia, the Carribean, the Pacific id be thinking you were pretty cool and id be jealous - but bobbing about the big bad ocean in a tin can? Meh!
On the upside Australian search and rescue are pretty amazing and they often rescue crazies from the seas...i hope they find her alive and bankrupt the hell out of her family
missydebby
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Poor girl.
Ugh, the whole situation makes me sick.
Ugh, the whole situation makes me sick.
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This story is interesting to me considering the big fanfare we just recently had here in Australia to welcome Jessica (16) home from a solo round the world trip.
I've seen it suggested a few times that perhaps she took a more dangerous route at a more dangerous time of the year in order to be able to qualify as 'youngest'. Had she waited for the weather to improve she'd have crossed her 17th birthday.
I don't belong to a sailing family or know much about it so don't know if the above is true or not, nor can I correctly gauge the risk of embarking on such an adventure. If parents were to condone it though I would sincerely hope that they'd do everything in their power to help organize and promote a safe trip. I really hope that she hasn't put beating a record before her birthday in front of her safety, and that her parents didn't allow her to do that.
I hope she makes it home safely along with all those who are out trying to find her.
I've seen it suggested a few times that perhaps she took a more dangerous route at a more dangerous time of the year in order to be able to qualify as 'youngest'. Had she waited for the weather to improve she'd have crossed her 17th birthday.
I don't belong to a sailing family or know much about it so don't know if the above is true or not, nor can I correctly gauge the risk of embarking on such an adventure. If parents were to condone it though I would sincerely hope that they'd do everything in their power to help organize and promote a safe trip. I really hope that she hasn't put beating a record before her birthday in front of her safety, and that her parents didn't allow her to do that.
I hope she makes it home safely along with all those who are out trying to find her.
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