Posted by plevault April 27, 2010 09:31am PDTReply | Report Abuse

Ok, I think it is time that I let you all know. I also think it is amazing that she is doing this. The only thing that concerned me was that she was out on the open ocean ALONE! She is barely old enough to drive with out supervision and her parents are allowing her to go out on the open ocean all by her self. My comment was never aimed at "her" but at the parents.

I also think it is important for parents to teach their kids independence and to be strong and go for the things in life they want to do and reach their goals. But at the same time teaching them to be safe. I never meant to "dismiss or take away from her accomplishments". It is just that today parents are making and allowing our kids to grow up so fast that they are not allowed the time to just be kids. Teen pregnancies are at an all time high because we are allowing them to grow up way too fast.

Perhaps these parents have taught her safety in boating and I am sure they have. However, it just seems careless to have a young person out there all alone without any help if she needed it.

Posted by ebuba April 26, 2010 12:37pm PDTReply | Report Abuse

Some of us have been raised more independent than others. In most societies when you reach 16 you are considered an adult. It is only in the U.S. that we coddle people until they are 25. It has to do with our schools. In Europe and most of Asia kids go from grade school (called primary school) directly to College or vocational training. In the U.S. we have this holding period called "high school" where we have to teach our kids the things the rest of the world manages to teach in primary school. Then about 30% go on to graduate from a University. For most it is far too long to sit in a class room. By the age of 16 most kids want to see the world learn a trade or start learning something that will be of use in real life. Instead we force feed them useless drivel for another 4 years that they may or may not use in life. The experience that 16 year old will gain by sailing around the world on her own will be more that any class room or teacher can ever provide.