Adventurous or Too Risky?

1. 83

   SweetiePieposted 14 years ago

   Should a thirteen year old girl be allowed to sail around the world unsupervised?  The Dutch government does not think so, but her parents think she is mature enough to handle the challenge.  I think thirteen is a bit young, but that is my take.

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   1. 48

      CabinGirlposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Way too young, she's still a kid !

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      1. 63

         Mishaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Umm, when did you get to the cabin first?

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      2. 73

         Eaglekiwiposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Yea she could end up like CG

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         1. 48

            CabinGirlposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Ya think

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   2. 87

      SimeyCposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      It's all relative - in some countries she'd be married and having children now! The Western concept of adulthood is totally different.
      
      The real question is 'When does a child become an adult?' - is it after puberty, or at a pre-conceived government age?

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      1. 73

         Eaglekiwiposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         And in some countries she'd be circumsized or pimped out, but 13 is  still too young!

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   3. 59

      Jane@CMposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      As a mother of a 13 year old - NO!  I have a hard enough time letting him bike, with friends, up to the school which is 4 miles away.

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2. 73

   Eaglekiwiposted 14 years ago

   13 ?
   
   Whose she travelling with?

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3. 83

   SweetiePieposted 14 years ago

   By herself to break the solo record for being the youngest person to sail around the world.  Now the Dutch government is moving to take custody of her because child protective services believes she is too young for this trip.  The last boy to break the record was seventeen and from California, but he had to radio Australian officials when he was being tracked down by pirates.  I just think maybe thirteen is a bit young for solo sailing trips.

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4. 0

   Nelle Hoxieposted 14 years ago

   I think money is a big motivator with these types of parents. Book deals and movies. As long as everyone comes out alive. 13 is way too young to be sailing by yourself anywhere.

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      Mishaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Actually books and movies will be even more popular if not everyone comes out alive.

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5. 83

   SweetiePieposted 14 years ago

   Her and her dad are both very good sailors, so there is a possibility a book deal could come out of this trip.  She wants to be in the book of world records, but they do not encourage people under sixteen to make these solo trips.

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6. 73

   Eaglekiwiposted 14 years ago

   Imagine the media presence though, she definately would never be alone..inclined to go along with Nellie on this one though.

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7. 0

   Leta Sposted 14 years ago

   Around the WORLD?  For months at a time?  I think it is really pushing it. 
   
   Unless she'd be under surveillance most of the time...
   
   *edit-- And I think in most Westernized countries, we'd agree she's still a child.

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8. 61

   Colebabieposted 14 years ago

   Well her parents must have tremendous faith in her. I highly doubt a parent would risk their daughter's life for a book deal. If I was 13 and had grown up my whole life on boats and knew just as much as my sailor father, my parents would consider it, but still not let me go I would say, if the boy who set the record was 17, she should prepare herself for 3 more years. Assuming of course, no one beats the record before her

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9. 63

   Mishaposted 14 years ago

   Well, we already established that you got lucky with your parents. It may or may not be the case here, and we know quite a few parents who are ready to sell their kids to the highest bidder...

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10. 83

    SweetiePieposted 14 years ago

    There is nothing wrong about people making money of book deals in my opinion.  Many do it and we all have to pay our bills .  Right now the Dutch government is not letting her go anyway, so it will be interesting to see what happens.

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11. 61

    Colebabieposted 14 years ago

    Then it isn't our place to judge them, let CPS do it
    But as far as my opinion if she should be allowed to go, der be pirates in dem waters, a 13 year old girl trying to protect herself, good luck chica!
    
    Ok off to class! Bye everyone

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       CabinGirlposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Us pirates ain't interested in 13 year old girls, we are interested in standards and us pirates wouldn't let anyone under 18 travel around the world. At 13 I was still playing with my barbies and watching Little House On The Prairie, used to make me cry all the time, those poor Ingles !

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          nicompposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Every week they experienced a tragedy. Talk about a hard life.

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12. 63

    Mishaposted 14 years ago

    They'll give her machine gun. And torpedoes!

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13. 83

    SweetiePieposted 14 years ago

    The age of consent and adulthood is an interesting argument though.  The came into play on Pitcairn Island during the rape trials of 2004, which has divided many people.  Some women were legitimately raped, but others have stood up and shared that they did not consider what happened to them rape.  Some of the women have stated that in Polynesian culture it is not unusual for people to start having sex when they were twelve or thirteen, and that the relations between them were consensual.  This became a sticky subject because the British officials who came declared Pitcairn was subject to British laws where the age of consent is 16, but the island had been ignored and neglected by the UK up until 1999 when the rapes started coming to light.  Both sides were arguing about these points at great length.

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14. 68

    Pearldiverposted 14 years ago

    I have met some very mature and together 13 year olds. 
    I'm pretty sure that at 13, I was too (parties, girls, yehaa etc.)
    This one is an accomplished sailoress and seems very together.
    On the Other Hand: Most 13 year olds are unsure about whether the world is round or flat.
    Apparently, her education is one of the reasons cited for the No argument. I'm sure navigation is not taught until 16.
    What is a 'Safe' Age to learn to master other sports if your goal is to be a Champion?

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