Should Kids Take Big Risks? Teenage Sailor’s Rescue Raises Big Questions

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Physically speaking teens are often better able to handle feats such as sailing around the world. However, numerous reports by Dr's including Dr. Amen state that a teenager's brain has not fully developed especially in the judgement/decision making areas. Nothing to be ashamed of just a fact...I am amazed that the parents are more interested in the attention that the child and the family will receive than the child's wellbeing. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to question their true motives.
Also, as mentioned, since when should anyone have the right to knowingly embark on an "adventure" that will result is robbing the taxpayer of hundreds of thousands of dollars on the search and rescue attempt?? We are all glad she is safe, but would be much happier had she not attempted this to begin with. Her parents should be billed.

Melanie of VA 2:57PM June 18, 2010

The only concern I have is that, if and when something goes wrong with round-the-world sailings and other amazing and admirable human feats, who pays to bail the adventurous ones out? It seems appropriate to either have them post bond in order to pay for potential rescue efforts, or have a clear understanding that they are on their own. Otherwise, have at it!

David Patterson of TX 9:56AM June 17, 2010

Teenagers and young people have been doing amazing things since the dawn of history. I think people have very low expectations of young people and then those same young people meet those expectations. The fact that history blows apart the fantasy of teenager mediocrity. In an era before teenagers performance was expected to be low many of the worlds best and brightest were accomplishing great things for people of any age before they were age 18. Alexander the Great conquered the known world, an empire as large as the United States, before he was 24. Gauss was producing mathematical theory that others would take 100 years to fully unwind. Age is not a qualifier for excellence.

Adam Smith of VA 1:01AM June 17, 2010

There's a difference between being ambitious and foolhardy. This girl seemed capable of the feat she undertook but it seems someone made a bad decision for her to do it at the time she did--probably for the sake of setting a record.

Lisa P of CA 10:47PM June 16, 2010

Abby states, "I do know what I'm doing out there." The fact that she placed herself in the southern Indian Ocean 500 miles north of Antarctica at the onset of the winter storm season suggests otherwise. Enough said.

Gary Earle of CA 11:41AM June 16, 2010