How young is too young?

[Richard]

But a parent's first job is to get the child safely to 18 years of age. After that, it's the offspring's call.

Were it only as simple as the culturally arbitrary and accepted age of majority reasoning of our legal system...

And so it goes...

Richard's $.02

[head]

I was living on my own when I was 16, had my own job and car too. I sure don't tell my parents about my adventures on the loose in Mexico...
If I had the means of getting a boat and knew how to sail, I might've given this a try... My thought is who the hell gives their kid a boat.. A '92 geo metro was all I could afford.

[sf11b_p]

Originally Posted by abc_123

Ok. What specifically is bullshit?

The line the parents should be jailed.

I've read threads here, more than a few, that request that facts come before judgment. The parents character, the competence of the sailor, the experiences of the family seem unknown here. The outcome wasn't even decided yet. Why condemn the family.

In fact many families allow their CHILD to go to war at seventeen. The judgment of many an eighteen year old could be argued, yet the common hypocrisy is even though they're not grown enough to drink responsibly they're good enough for war.

I understand the argument for maturity and experience, and concern of the timing and route.

In any case...

Teenage Girl, Sailing Solo, Is Found
By MALIA WOLLAN
Published: June 11, 2010

A 16-year-old girl trying to sail solo around the world who was missing in the Indian Ocean some 2,000 miles east of Madagascar has been found by a search plane and is in good condition, her parents said on Friday.

The girl, Abby Sunderland of Thousand Oaks, Calif., departed alone Jan. 23 in her sailboat Wild Eyes. On Thursday, she lost satellite phone contact with her family and set off emergency beacons, triggering a rescue effort by United States, Australian and French authorities. Ms. Sunderland was trying to break the record for the youngest sailor to circumnavigate the globe, a title held briefly by her older brother Zac, who completed his sail last year at 17.

“We have just heard from the Australian Search and Rescue. The plane arrived on the scene moments ago. Wild Eyes is upright but her rigging is down. The weather conditions are abating. Radio communication was made and Abby reports that she is fine,” Ms. Sunderland’s parents reported on her blog.

“We don’t know much else right now. The French fishing vessel that was diverted to her location will be there in a little over 24 hours. Where they will take her or how long it will take we don’t know,” they said.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/12/us/12sailor.html

Missing 16-year-old solo sailor Abby Sunderland found alive and well

Abby Sunderland activated emergency beacons on her boat Wild Eyes in stormy seas, 2,000 miles off Madagascar

Chris McGreal in Washington and agencies
guardian.co.uk, Friday 11 June 2010 08.11 BST

A 16-year-old Californian girl attempting to sail solo around the world has been found alive and well following a desperate overnight search in a remote part of the Indian Ocean.

Rescuers contacted Abby Sunderland after she set off two emergency satellite beacons on her 40ft yacht, Wild Eyes, her father said.

Laurence Sunderland said rescuers on board a chartered Australian airline had made contact with her earlier today and that she was alive.

"She's fine, the boat's afloat and she's on it," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. "It's huge, fantastic, exciting news."

Abbey's parents lost satellite phone contact with her after she had told them she had been repeatedly knocked down in 60-knot winds and 50-foot waves, about 2,000 miles east of Madagascar.

One of the beacons was believed to have been attached to a survival suit and was designed to be set off by a person in the water or on a life raft. Both beacons were manually activated. Rescuers had been seeking to contact the nearest ship, 400 miles away.

Sunderland's parents, Laurence and Marianne, posted a message on their daughter's blog saying that when they last spoke to her she was having difficulties, but appeared to be coping.

"We were helping her troubleshoot her engine that she was trying to start to charge her systems. Satellite phone reception was patchy. She was able to get the water out of the engine and start up. We were waiting to hear back from her when American search and rescue authorities called to report having received a signal from her emergency beacon," they said. "We are working closely with American, French and Australian search and rescue authorities to coordinate several ships in the area to divert to her location."

But the nearest ship was believed to be nearly two days away.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010...nd-found-alive

[Pete]

Originally Posted by sf11b_p

The line the parents should be jailed.

I've read threads here, more than a few, that request that facts come before judgment. The parents character, the competence of the sailor, the experiences of the family seem unknown here. The outcome wasn't even decided yet. Why condemn the family....

So you're OK with the 13 year old giving it a go?

If the 13 year old makes it I'm sure there will be a 12 year old.

Would you draw the line at 10? How about eight?

Jailed? Child protective services arrest people at take kids all over this country for far less than letting them jump in a boat and take off around the world.

Even with all the high tec gear it's still a big ocean and help can be a long way away - as this young girl has found out.

Back in the old days with rigging down and bad comms- before rescue beepers - a sailor would have to repair their rigging and get some kind of sail up and head for the nearest port.

She was lucky, I'm glad of that. I'm a firm believer in "You can do what you want when you're 18"

Think on these two statements "I want to sail around the world alone." vs "I want to be the youngest person to sail around the world alone."

Did you read in the stories where the kids doing this are hooked up on the internet and know just who is younger than who? The Aussie Girl who made it was talking on line with Abby.

It's not to do it - it's to be the youngest to do it - and the parents are helping.

Supporting your kid means sometimes saying "NO".

Edited to add updates -

http://www.amsa.gov.au/About_AMSA/Co...e-WildEyes.asp

[FMF DOC]

Originally Posted by Penn

Single parenthood taught me many things, and I needed allies, but not at the expense of "Oh, sure you can get the "motorcycle"... or....Oh, of course you can have a sleep over at your boyfriend parents house....NO, I was an asshole. If they were not at the house they were to be at, and I called, guess who showed up knocking on the door....A sail in the bay with life jackets and under the watchful eye of ten yacht club sailors, Maybe!!!
The parents are responsible for her welfare up to the point she is self-efficient; 18 I'm not convinced that 18 years of age equates with the ability to discriminate outcomes.

As another single parent, two beautiful daughters and a son I agree 110%. I'm sure we could compare some stories Penn.

At least she was found safe and in good health.

[mojaveman]

Glad that she was found alive and well. The drama will make for an interesting $tory.

[Bill Harsey]

First, I hope she is recovered safely and in good health.

There was a long tradition of sailing the open ocean in part of my family and none of it was for sport and all was done under real sail cloth.
The passage this young lady was on is well known for rough water and heavy weather. I read a lack of respect for the ocean and a naive approach to safety single handing at that young an age.
Again, I wish her the best and her skills have gotten her this far.

[Richard]

It's one thing to want your kids to spread their wings and fly, but parents are in control of when they are ready to do that.

Are they?

http://www.ageofconsent.us/

http://www.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu...t/us_laws.html

What about a parent who buys their child a 4x4 at 16 and then - with the implied consent being that if you provided them with a 4x4 they would be allowed to go 'Four Wheeling' - the kid goes off into the mountains and gets stranded or dies? Should they be horse-whipped?

One of the two paratroopers who landed on the church in the town square of St. Mere-Eglise on the morning of 6 June 1944 had just turned 17 a few days before making that jump - maybe his parents shoulda been horse-whipped, too...or is that different.

Having raised three sons, I have come to realize just how complex it is...as are many such issues involved with parenting. It's pretty amazing many of us survive it all.

Richard's $.02

[Utah Bob]

Well, she's not dead. Great news.

I guess one can only go with personal experience. I know my son was not anywhere near ready to tackle a life risking venture like that and I never would have permitted it . Realistically, I don't think I was ready either at 16.
Giving your kid a car (a societal norm) and allowing them to go on a solo circumnavigation are two different things, a t least in the mind of most parents.
Perhaps the 4x4 is just as dangerous. The perception is that it is not.

If my kid died in a vehicle accident in the car I had given him, I would be devastated. If he died at 16 in a round the world sailing adventure that I had permitted and even encouraged, I simply could not live with myself.

[craigepo]

My Dad was 16 years old, carrying a BAR in Korea with the 5th regimental combat team.

The distinction between my father's service and this sailing trip is, in my mind, necessity. That girl didn't have/need to go sailing around the world.

I wouldn't blame a parent for having a child do a dangerous task when mandated. However, letting the kid go circumnavigate the globe, alone, in a sail boat, just to say she had done it, doesn't pass my personal smell test.

[afchic]

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.

[Sigaba]

Originally Posted by craigepo

The distinction. . . is. . .necessity. That girl didn't have/need to go sailing around the world.

FWIW, I agree.

IMO, necessity--not age/maturity--is at the crux of activities centering around endurance in which civilians face mortal peril.

My $0.02 but even then, you'd still need to fill out the lost parking ticket form and pay the maximum daily rate.

[tst43]

Originally Posted by craigepo

My Dad was 16 years old, carrying a BAR in Korea with the 5th regimental combat team.

The distinction between my father's service and this sailing trip is, in my mind, necessity. That girl didn't have/need to go sailing around the world.

I wouldn't blame a parent for having a child do a dangerous task when mandated. However, letting the kid go circumnavigate the globe, alone, in a sail boat, just to say she had done it, doesn't pass my personal smell test.

I could not agree more, your honor. I think we all understand that not all 16 year old kids are the same (some demonstrate more maturity and responsibility than others). My 15 year old son is way more mature than I was at his age. However, it is the activity (sailing solo around the world) and the inherent dangers associated therewith which cause me to question the parents' judgment. There is a forseeability factor here that would have prompted most parents to say "no".

I am glad the young lady is safe, and hope she and her parents reconsider another attempt...she might not be as fortunate next time.

[Bill Harsey]

Originally Posted by tst43

I am glad the young lady is safe, and hope she and her parents reconsider another attempt...she might not be as fortunate next time.

She hasn't been recovered yet, just sighted and seemingly in good shape.

[Richard]

My Dad was 16 years old, carrying a BAR in Korea with the 5th regimental combat team.

The distinction between my father's service and this sailing trip is, in my mind, necessity. That girl didn't have/need to go sailing around the world.

I agree with 'necessity' as a valid distinctive qualifier to be considered when making such decisions - however - I fail to see how someone's voluntary service at 16 in the Korean War (an action for which Congress failed to see the 'necessity' for declaring war) would be viewed as such a qualifier unless he was a Korean living in Korea and fighting for his invaded homeland.

Richard's $.02