16 year old solo circumnavigates the world

[boxtops]

would you let your 15-year-old do this? I wouldn't! http://www.google.com...N0053391327172910450A

[Ankou]

anyone heard of zac sunderland ?

no? thought not.

[NOX]

Throughout history the age at which one is expected to be able to do things has changed dramatically, and I personally think we are in danger of following America's example of keeping their kids too 'young' for too long. Many huge achievments have been made by 13, 14 and 15 year olds both now and into antiquity, and I think one of the greatest diservices we can do to these young people is to dismiss themas being ' too young' or ' still a child' or ' doesn't really fully understand' etc when in realisty a lot of kids of that age really do know, do understand and are perfectly mature enough to make life altering decisions for themselves. this young lady was a high trained sailor who has accomplished something wonderful, and her family have come in for a lot of stick about it, unfairly I think, because they have been brave enough to buck the social trend which says that someone of her age should not be ' allowed' to do soemthing so potentially risky.
Would I let my daughter do it, yes under the same circumstances, because I would respect her as self determining young adult, not that I wouldn;t worry myself sick, but yes i would give my blessing.

[NOX]

Gah- sorry about all the horrible typos, bad head day today it seems:(

[Ankou]

at those young ages we would probably threat our self silly if they went to cub camp or girl guides camp for a week 10 miles away. my sister panics when her 13 year old daughter goes off to the shopping centre with her friend!

it doesn't mean we shouldn't let them go though.