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I think that this is a topic that is very personal in nature. You look back in time, throughout history, and what was considered a child or an adult has changed dramatically.
It wasn't that long ago that children of 16 were married, and having children themselves. It wasn't that long ago that children of 16 were fighting in the American Revolution or the Civil War.
This was a decision made between two parents and a teenager. None of my children would have been ready to do something like this, at this age. But I do know some teenagers that would have been.
Had the worst transpired, and Abby not survived, I am sure that her parents would be devestated, and doomed to live the rest of their lives feeling it was their fault.
But then again, if anything happened to any of the four of my children, during that time in their lives, I think I would feel the same, regardless of how it transpired. "She never would have been in that car accident if I hadn't given her permission to go" etc.... That is how, we as parents (for the most part, there are of course exceptions) are wired to feel. I sometimes lay awake at night with night terrors thinking of everything bad that ever could happen to my kids.
But if we chained them in their rooms until the magical age of 18, or 21 or 25 (whatever societal norms of the times dictate) they would never become responsible adults who will be able to mentor and raise the next generation.
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