Would You Let Your Teen Sail Alone?

As we all have read about Abby Sunderland (16) from Thousand Oaks, CA, sailing alone around the world, many parents were outraged by such irresponsibility on her parents side. How could they? Why did they? And so on. I cannot imagine myself being in their shoes. But I also cannot imagine them making such a decision without thoroughly considering all the pros and cons. I can imagine how they worried about her every day, especially when she got into trouble and the contact was lost.

According to CTV Talkback Toronto 82% of parents would never let a 16-year old sail alone, while only 18% would agree.

No matter what side you are on, letting go is always difficult. It starts with first steps of your toddler. Previously immobile baby starts to move around and needs to be constantly watched and supervised. As children grow we need to let go more and more. What is the good time to let them go to school by themselves? Go biking around the neighbourhood? Go to a store, take a bus. Every step takes them away from us and towards adulthood.

The truth is we have to let go. I know that moms don’t like it. I don’t like it. But as somebody said before: children are not ours to keep. We bring them to the world and raise them and then...hope for the best.

And this is what Abby’s parents did. I would probably never do such a thing myself, but then again, some children are more mature than others and some are raised to be more responsible. Constant supervision and “hovering” creates more immature children and adults. Let them grow up.

We tend to forget than just a few centuries ago 16-year olds married and had children, had gone to wars, worked in the fields. Boy, am I glad that we live in a different world, but are we really? In third world countries it is still a reality.

 

So, what are you going to allow your child this summer? I assume it won’t be sailing around the word. I may let Mark bike around the campground and play with his friends at the park without my constant supervision (only occasional check-up). Camping is as much about going back to nature as about greater freedom and independence.

Tell us what you think.