"Disagreeing has never been so much fun!"
This is America. Land of the Free
Horrible Decision By the Parents
Abby Sunderland, a sixteen year old who wanted to be the youngest person to sail around the world is awaiting rescue in the Indian Ocean after a storm damaged her boat. Was letting he attempt this reckless or is this still America?
Debate Leaders
LIBERAL
(1 votes)
Neutral Fans: (0)
Side A Comment
mama kaz - 7/5/10 @ 3:08 PM:
There are some kids who are just impossible to hold down. Believe me, I know. I had one!
Side B Comment
Jeff - 6/16/10 @ 5:26 PM:
She is a very courageous young woman but what if she had dies ? then the parents would have to live with that,that they let her do this and now she is gone and yeah we do let them drive at 16 but going around the block or to the store is a little diff from oh I dont know sailing around the world alone...granted I would still worry no matter to this day I still worry about my kids and they are grown the point I guess is yeah the parents should have thought this through and yeah she should have had some one following she was still on the boat alone still would have been the same thing.
Side B Comment
cutie122403 - 6/16/10 @ 3:37 PM:
At the age of 16 rather you are mature or not (and yes some are more mature than others I realize that) you do not have the mentality or the experience to sail the world by yourself. This is so dangerous. I could see if maybe they had someone following behind her or something but she was completely alone. I would not be able to sleep at night knowing my child was out alone with no one to help quick enough. Yes, when you are 16 you are old enough to drive but lets think about this. You are around tons of people, on the road, and if you needed help it would be there much quicker than if you were in the middle of the ocean. These parents sound crazy to me. It wasn't completely her choice. She still lives under her parents roof and not to mention she is under age.
Side B Comment
cutie122403 - 6/14/10 @ 11:02 PM:
I'm sorry but why would you let your 16 year old sail around the world by herself?!? This is Completely reckless! At 16 years old you are not mature enough to spend a night alone out on the town so why in the world would you let your child sail the ocean? When I heard about this I couldn't believe it. I thought one of the parents was with the girl. I honestly feel like there should be some punishment for the parents. To me this is a form of child abuse. Your daughter is out in the middle of the ocean, if something happens to her what are you going to do?
LIBERAL - 6/15/10 @ 8:07 AM:
Rival | Side A
cutie, not every 16 year old behaves like a 16 year old. Some are just much more mature for their age. Now I can't say for certain that this particular young lady was because I personally did not know her, but I would like to believe that the parents never would have allowed her to have done so if she were not. I am a little suspicious though of the father after having read about him signing a reality t.v. show deal with a network. That makes me question his motives, but it does not make me question hers. She obviously wanted this.
We allow 16 year old men and women to drive. They are considered mature enough to obtain the legal right to operate a motor vehicle, so why is this that far of a step from this level of maturity? A young man or woman could just as likely die in an automobile accident as they could drown at sea. Sorry, but as long as she understood the risks involved and did this of her own free will I have no problem with her having done this. I say allow her the chance to try again if she wishes. It’s her life. It’s obviously her ambition. It’s her choice.
We allow 16 year old men and women to drive. They are considered mature enough to obtain the legal right to operate a motor vehicle, so why is this that far of a step from this level of maturity? A young man or woman could just as likely die in an automobile accident as they could drown at sea. Sorry, but as long as she understood the risks involved and did this of her own free will I have no problem with her having done this. I say allow her the chance to try again if she wishes. It’s her life. It’s obviously her ambition. It’s her choice.
Side A Comment
LIBERAL - 6/12/10 @ 7:04 PM:
She's 16 years old. That's just two years shy of legal adulthood. Chances are she very likely knew the risks involved. She seems a very courageous young woman to me. She may have needed rescuing, but at least she tried. Kudos to her! I hope she gives it another try.
cutie122403 - 6/14/10 @ 11:05 PM:
Rival | Side B
No, I disagree. Most 16 year old kids aren't mature enough to make the right decisions especially if they are in the ocean, on a boat, all alone!
Side A Comment
mama kaz - 6/12/10 @ 5:15 PM:
As the mother of three very stubborn and determined kids I can speak from experience when I say that some kids are so determined to do what they want that it can be very difficult to stop them. If she had the courage and ability to do this I say let her go. I admire her guts! Anybody could end up needing to be rescued regardless of age.
