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[url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8226196.stm ]Well?[/url]
What's the dilema ? Is it :-
a)wether she should be allowed to do it
or is it
b)about the parents future suitability to look after a child if they're considering this
she obviously needs protecting as her father's called 'Dick Dekker' 😉
I thought that was 'Dirk Diggler'.
I don't really understand how dangerous sailing solo around the world is, or what spending that length of time by yourself at that age does to you mentally.
But let's assume for the sake of argument that it is quite dangerous, and the isolation is quite acute and might well make her a bit peculiar.
She's 13.
I am fairly happy with the conclusion that her parents don't get to let her do it even if she really wants to. And if she doesn't really care either way and her parents think it's a great idea then I am even happier.
let her do it, who cares really? it's not really news other than another excuse to take a swipe at someones decision.
I'm pretty sure that if she gets to go round the world herself the next time we'll hear about it is when her body is washed up on shore or she goes missing in Thailand or something - that might seem a little extreme but an idiot can see that this will end badly
Seems as bad as anything else that a 13yr-old kid might be allowed to do to the absolute exclusion of everything else for 2yrs, with the additional benefit of possible death
Other than 15 mins of fame if she makes it (and when did that last benefit a child ?) I don't see what she'd gain from it, other than a small financial benefit maybe
Most (all?) European countries have some sort of legislation about eduction your child. The family have already been refused letting her miss school(ing) for two years, so they're effectively breaking the law if she goes.
My daughter has just turned 13 and while I'm well past the stage of having to know exactly where she is every minute of the day, I'm struggling to understand the concept of letting a 13 year old set off on a voyage like this.
I'd also be intersted to know how normal a life she leads - if all she's ever really done is live on yachts then I'd doubt that she's truly in a position to say that this is her passion and her (objectively) chosen way to live
As a father of teenage girls - I can understand why her parents want a 2 year holiday
😉
Interesting though, she's probably not your average 13 year old so I reckon a someone qualified to assess whether she's mentally capable of doing this as well as physically is the right move.
If all she's ever done is live on yachts then it's quite understandable that it's something she might want to do.
I hope that she gets to do it an pulls it off, glad it's not my decision though...
Other than 15 mins of fame if she makes it (and when did that last benefit a child ?) I don't see what she'd gain from it, other than a small financial benefit maybe
A massive sense of achievement? Become a postive role-model for young people fixated by sedentary lifestyles without any adventure?
I don't really understand how dangerous sailing solo around the world is,
Very.
or what spending that length of time by yourself at that age does to you mentally.
That level of isolation at a time when the brain is developing/learning could well have long term effects. Not good ones, either.
I thought this thread was going to be about NeilSuperstar. 🙁
I know naff all about sailing; so no comment on the likelihood of this girl making the trip safely.
But I do know a bit about development: any child that age deprived of 'proper' contact for so long will suffer in terms of social skills, self esteem, trust in/reliance on others and emotional regulation. She's not going to hop off the boat and eat someone, but she will be a better socially and emotionally equipped young adult for staying around her family and peers fo a bit longer.
IMHO.
The back story is (according to radio 4)the parents are separated and the lass lives with Dad.
Dad initially said no, but the girl went ahead and organised the boat, the cash to support it and access to the communication gear.
Clearly not your average kind of lass.
However what she wants to do is not a walk in the park, my sailing has been limited to trips over the Irish sea (admittedly in force 9's) but rounding the cape et al is another game altogether.
In my view the girl displays a drive which should be encouraged, but the father who is an experienced sailor should have stuck to his initial decision and said no.
The courts have taken charge of her well-being for a 2 month period during which the views of both parents are being taken and the lass will undergo some counciling and psychological testing.
All a load of nonsense in my view because that is what good parenting should be doing.
Its probably more to do with that than this girls obvious drive to excel.
As a wider point and as an ex venture scout leader young people can in the right situation take so much from challenging situations especially in the outdoors.
We took a party of 15-20 year old over the aonach eagach ridge in full winter conditions many years ago, some may say foolhardy, but the situation was controlled and managed.
The net result of this trip was that it was still being talked about 15 years later by the same young people, many of whom have gone on to do far greater deeds that the adult "leaders" at the time.
Right then I'll get off my soap box now.
oops double post...
FWIW, difference is about 3 yrs, or over 20% of the girl's life thus far. I'd take some persuading that he should've done it either but then I just don't see the point/attraction of "being the youngest" to do that. While they're at it, might as well have a "crappest sailor ever to get away with it" category in the Guinness BoR.
The other key difference, is he's over 16, therefore legally an adult and responsible for his own actions.
Assuming the Swedes have similar rules to us, then she's not a legal adult, isn't responsible, and hasn't even finished her legally required full-time education.
Personally, I agree with the previous poster describing her drive, and I'm all for young people doing things like this, but there has to be a limit somewhere. And 16 I think is a good one.
To sail single handed around the globe is exactly what it says on the tin.
My question is, would a 13yr old have the physical strength and nouse to be able to repair damage to the boat caused by storms ?