FYI: Teen sailor found alive ‎

[DoctorWhofan]

Just because it scares you, doesn't mean everyone else is as frightened.

Scares the poo out of me...But If I had belief in my child and trust in my child, I'd let him do it...Of course, after that, you really cannot get much better, so I might be setting my child up for dissapointment.

[Samadhi]

Heh, back in "the before times", 14 year olds may have made their way in the world, but they weren't made Captain at 14... They had to learn their trade, get some experience, learn how others handled the myriad situations that come up in a long voyage.

I'm not saying she's not an exceptional sailor! But she doesn't have the experience that an older sailor would... She's been in a lot less situations. How many storms with 30 foot waves had she been in before this one?

I know nothing about this chick other than this thread. I have no freakin clue how many storms she has been in. Maybe I can boil my point down better with this:

I have no idea about any of the particulars of this case, however, I feel that saying that she isn't ready or isn't experienced enough based on nothing more than her age, or that she should have waited until she was older, is both overly assumptive and prejudicial.

[DoctorWhofan]

Yes, 14 is 100% okay with me. For thousands of years right around 14 was considered the time that one became an adult. Just because some North Americans like to coddle their population and keep them emotional and intellectual infants into their 40's; does not mean this is a mandated reality of biology. Kudos to this chick for having the guts to do this; regardless of who influenced her.

THis. It is only WEstern ethics and society that thinks this. I thought it was outrageous to bring a toddler to a bar, or serve anyone that can reach the back of the bar. BUt that is Spain. And it is perfectly normal.

In some parts of Africa, you are an adult a 13.

What you do for your kids is you, as long as you are not hurting them. THese parents believed this is ok. And I do.

THere comes a time that you gotta let them go. These parents see 16 is that age.

[Borror0]

It is only WEstern ethics and society that thinks this.

Don't use the term "Western" to describe something that applies mostly to the United States.

[DoctorWhofan]

Don't use the term "Western" to describe something that applies mostly to the United States.

It's Early, no caffiene. Pick a word that better discribes it.

[Borror0]

It's Early, no caffiene. Pick a word that better discribes it.

I would say "American" but even that term is absurdly US-centric...

[DoctorWhofan]

I would say "American" but even that term is absurdly US-centric...

how about Puritanical?

[Borror0]

how about Puritanical?

I thought we were looking looking for a term that accurately describe the geographical regions where that kind of thinking is common.

But, no, puritanical does not really work here - there is no sex or other source of pleasure involved. Overprotection would be close, I think.

[Thrudh]

I know nothing about this chick other than this thread. I have no freakin clue how many storms she has been in. Maybe I can boil my point down better with this:

I have no idea about any of the particulars of this case, however, I feel that saying that she isn't ready or isn't experienced enough based on nothing more than her age, or that she should have waited until she was older, is both overly assumptive and prejudicial.

It is indeed assumptive and prejudicial... I do not think it is overly... I am indeed assuming someone who is 16 has less experience at solo sailing than someone who is 22...

How much does that experience matter in this day and age with all our technology? I do not know...

Obviously the parents trusted her... Obviously she had the skills... I think "going for the record" may have clouded the issue slightly for the parents and the child (another assumption on my part).

I guess that's my real problem... I worry that "going for the record" may have sent her out too soon.. (since her brother owned the record before, this is a pattern for this family). It's an amazing achievement and an inspiration no matter what age it's accomplished...

I notice they didn't send the brother out at 16... They sent him out at 17... I feel at least PART of the reason she went out so young was for "the record"... That's the only part of the story I don't like...

[GhoulsTouch]

OMG didn't she know there are dragons out there? Luckily she didn't fall off the face of the Earth.

[DoctorWhofan]

It is indeed assumptive and prejudicial... I do not think it is overly... I am indeed assuming someone who is 16 has less experience at solo sailing than someone who is 22...

How much does that experience matter in this day and age with all our technology? I do not know...

Obviously the parents trusted her... Obviously she had the skills... I think "going for the record" may have clouded the issue slightly for the parents and the child (another assumption on my part).

I guess that's my real problem... I worry that "going for the record" may have sent her out too soon.. (since her brother owned the record before, this is a pattern for this family). It's an amazing achievement and an inspiration no matter what age it's accomplished...

I notice they didn't send the brother out at 16... They sent him out at 17... I feel at least PART of the reason she went out so young was for "the record"... That's the only part of the story I don't like...

Lesson here, don't try to be armchair parents. Again, as long as it isn't concidered abusive, it's fine. As for experiance, if she didn't have it beofre, she has it now! To have experiance you have to experiance. She survived a disaster that would have killed lesser sailors, so she has the knowledge, and now she knows how to apply it.

[DoctorWhofan]

OMG didn't she know there are dragons out there? Luckily she didn't fall off the face of the Earth.

The Dragons in that area only come out in August.

[Deathseeker]

As far as 16 being too young, my view is emphatically, unequivocally, directly and stubbornly....that I am conflicted and don't have a strong opinion. This is a tough one.

For my 16 yr old daughter, no chance in hell I'd let her do something this life threatening as I don't believe she has the maturaty to grasp the consequences and make her own decision. But that's my daughter...Ive met some really mature and responsible teens (more mature than me who is typing this right now on a video game forum while I should be working).

And what's up with saying 16 year olds are having sex? I asked my daughter, and she isn't. I shall now proceed to bury my head back in the sand imagining unicorns and rainbows. La, la, la....I can't hear you...la, la, la...

[Thrudh]

Lesson here, don't try to be armchair parents.

I'll agree with that... I'm not condemning the parents... I just have small reservations...

As for experiance, if she didn't have it beofre, she has it now! To have experiance you have to experiance. She survived a disaster that would have killed lesser sailors, so she has the knowledge, and now she knows how to apply it.

I'd just like to submit that it's probably a lot better and safer to get that kind of experience learning from someone else who knows what to do. That's usually the best way to learn... from someone more experienced than yourself...

Yes, that which doesn't kill us makes us stronger... but sometimes it kills us.

I'm just saying I think that it would be better to learn how to handle 30 foot waves working with an experienced sailor who already knows how to handle 30 foot waves, not experiencing them for the first time by yourself.

[Thrudh]

And what's up with saying 16 year olds are having sex? I asked my daughter, and she isn't. I shall now proceed to bury my head back in the sand imagining unicorns and rainbows. La, la, la....I can't hear you...la, la, la...

I've gone through the teen-age years with TWO daughters... I feel your pain...

[DoctorWhofan]

I'll agree with that... I'm not condemning the parents... I just have small reservations about their choices...



I'd just like to submit that it's probably a lot better and safer to get that kind of experience learning from someone else who knows what to do. That's usually the best way to learn... from someone more experienced than yourself...

Yes, that which doesn't kill us makes us stronger... but sometimes it kills us.

I'm just saying I think that it would be better to learn how to handle 30 foot waves working with an experienced sailor who already knows how to handle 30 foot waves, not experiencing them for the first time by yourself.

Not knowing her background, I'd bet she has experianced 30 foot waves with her family/mentor/brother/trainer. THey are not that uncommon in the open sea. Experianced it by herself? A little different. I'd be she wasn't surprised and probably gleaned as much info from her brother and other experianced sailors before doing this.

Like the car insurance commercial: majority of teens shouldn'teven get their licence at 16! Let alone sail a boat. But there are exceptions to every rule, and this girl seems to be one of them.

[Thrudh]

Not knowing her background, I'd bet she has experianced 30 foot waves with her family/mentor/brother/trainer. THey are not that uncommon in the open sea. Experianced it by herself? A little different. I'd be she wasn't surprised and probably gleaned as much info from her brother and other experianced sailors before doing this.

You're probably right... I'm definitely assuming too much... They probably wouldn't have let her go until she had already experienced most of the situations she would be likely to see on her journey...

[Mockduck]

Great news! Glad to hear she's alive. Personally, if she understands the risks and has the skills to possibly actually sail around the world, I say she's old enough.

[Hafeal]

Mother Marianne Sunderland meanwhile said the family had sought to minimize the risks of the voyage by having a comprehensive support team in place.
But she doubted whether her daughter would ever attempt such a hazardous record attempt again.


"I am definitely having a bit of a knee jerk reaction," she told CNN. "I don't want anyone going anywhere. (Abby) loves sailing. I don't think she will attempt anything of this magnitude again.


"I am sure she will be out to sea again someday."

I took this as the, "Yeah, this wasn't such a great idea in hindsight" moment.


Article link: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp...0CkTNK9LjzL07w

[Borror0]

I took this as the, "Yeah, this wasn't such a great idea in hindsight" moment.

From personal experience with media when such thing happen, I take any statement they quote with a grain of salt.