It’s the Year of Living Dangerously for kids, for sure. Every time I look up it seems some youngster is attempting a death-defying feat of some sort, with mom and dad’s permission. In the past couple of weeks we’ve told you about Jordan Romero, who at 13 became the youngest person ever to summit Mt. Everest. Then there’s 12-year-old Mexican bullfighter Michelito Lagravere, who has already been gored twice; the latest on Sunday.
Now, Abby Sunderland, who at 16 was attempting to become the youngest sailor to circumnavigate the globe, may be lost at sea. Her crew has lost contact with her, and two emergency beacons have been activated on her boat.
Abby’s mother, MaryAnne Sunderland, told ABC News that Abby manually activated two beacons around 6 a.m. Pacific Time Thursday.
Abby was in 20-25 foot waves at the time of last contact, with 35-knot winds, said MaryAnne Sunderland, who is due to give birth at the end of the month. She was shaken but focused on trying to get a rescue effort together.
The closest land to Abby’s boat was Reunion Island, which is east of Madagascar. The nearest ship was 400 miles away. Rescuers were trying to contact the ship.
I don’t pretend to understand the mindset that these parents have to allow their children to so blatantly court disaster. The common thread here seems to be that the adults want their children to “live their dreams,” but besides the obvious danger involved, there’s such a thing as peaking too early. So you’ve sailed the globe solo, or just climbed Mr. Everest, all before your high school prom. What do you do for an encore?
“Today, my eight-year-old son will strap himself to a rocket, which is pointed at the moon. I see no way this can and badly.” Live your dream, young man. And bring a warm coat.
At least the Balloon Boy dad had enough sense to fake the whole thing; his son rode out his adventure safely, in a box in the attic. And yet he’s is the parent who did jail time.
And now this January post from the blog Californality has a real tinge of sadness:
Living in the same community as Abby does, I first heard of her plan to sail around the world a while back. My first reaction to her plan was surprise and concern. She’s such a young girl. I know that probably sounds gender-biased, but sorry. The rest of the world is not sunny Southern California. What about bandits, the cartel and pirates?
I heard Abby saying that she knows God will totally protect her. She was very serious and meant it. Her family shares her conviction.
Abby was approximately 500 miles north of the Antarctic Islands when her crew lost contact with her. She began the trip from Marina del Rey in southern California on Feb. 19, with the latest leg completed this past Tuesday (South Africa to North of the Kerguelen Islands — 2,100 miles). She’s been blogging about the journey on her web site, with the latest entry put up this morning.
Her older brother, Zac Sunderland, completed the trip in 2009.
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Abby Sunderland Feared Lost at Sea [ABC News]
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- roger simmons - Jun 12, 2010 at 6:59 AM
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I think the parents should be arrested for child abuse. At the very least, Aby should be removed from their care. Their reasoning for letting her go borders on the insane.
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- bruha - Jun 12, 2010 at 7:54 AM
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does god answer emergency beacons?
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- Dave - Jun 12, 2010 at 8:20 AM
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Jonathan,
Of all the stupid remarks made on this site, yours are a ray of sunshine. I agree 100% with what you noted. However, whether you are 10, 16, or 100 years of age, if you take off on one of these adventures, you should not expect to have rescue around the corner should the need arise. That is part and parcel part of the feat.
These liberal stupids, that wish to prosocute the parents, seem to forget that parents let their teenagers depart for the wilds of western North America when they were in their early teens. Those young men (and a few women) carved a nation form the mountains and plains. Like every liberal I know . . . blame someone, someone else that is.
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- cece - Jun 12, 2010 at 8:40 AM
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If a child really is interested in such adventures, then I think it is fine. If they are pressured by parents, then it is not. I do think that kids take many risks in everyday life, driving is one of them, swimming, riding bikes, roller coasters, white water rafting, football, cheerleading and yes obesity from over-eating, etc. Life is a gamble and as the great lady said above, “The Lord giveth and The Lord taketh away” when he is ready. I think when high risks endanger others such as driving carelessly, while intoxicated etc. then the rest of us have the right to be involved. If this little girl was being manipulated by her parents or family to do something she did not want then I believe that we should intervene as well. I am open to others opinions.
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- TES37110 - Jun 12, 2010 at 8:46 AM
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OK. Now Abby and her mommy and her daddy (and big bro) have had their 15 minutes of fame. Through no fault of their high risk-taking, it ended without death. And now the story will feed broadcast news features for a couple days. Enough with the stupid pet tricks.
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- Kazango - Jun 12, 2010 at 9:05 AM
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Hey, we got it!
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- Ralph - Jun 12, 2010 at 9:10 AM
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If this had turned out well, she would have been a heroine! I commend young people for focussing their energies for accomplishments-that’s right-accomplishments. Would you rather they sit home and play video games! In some cultures girls are forced to marry before they even have their period! I don’t see anyone harping about the wrong in that! Just recently a 12 y/o girl received a divorce from her 80 y/o husband! I would rather my 12 y/o daughter climb Mt. Whatever, than be married to a child molestor! Where is the pride in that? Both of my grown children are in the military. One was in a far more dangerous position and place than any of the kids in this story. My daughter will be going there next. They don’t even have a choice. This will be 10x more dangerous, with no rescue attempts to be made, so to speak! But whether they live or die, I will be proud of them for serving their country. I am proud of these kids, whether they succeed or not, for getting off their lazy assess and going for it! Shame on all of you who condemn them. Maybe it’s a case of jealousy. What are your kids doing? Getting pregnant? Going to a movie? Big friggin’ deal! Never crush a person’s dreams, no matter how old that person is!
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- Ranger Six - Jun 12, 2010 at 9:13 AM
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I have to say, I completely support Abby’s effort.
Yes, it would have been a tragedy if she’d been lost at sea, but as someone else said in this thread:
“LIVING IN FEAR IS NOT LIVING.”
If you’re going to live in fear, you might as well pick up a gun and kill yourself because you’re already halfway dead – and I’m getting sick and tired of all this “OH MY GOD THIS WORLD IS SUCH A DANGEROUS PLACE FOR CHILDREN” crap that people like Rick Chandler put out.
No, I’m not saying there aren’t risks and dangers in either normal life or in Abby Sunderland’s attempt to circumnavigate the globe.
What I’m saying is that we should FACE those risks instead of HIDING from them.
Remember the words of Franklin Delano Roosevelt when you read what fearmongers like Chandler write:
“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
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- Dargon - Jun 12, 2010 at 9:13 AM
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To the Critics: Get a life. We send our young off to battle at age 18, where they are expected to lay down their lives for what they believe in. Yet you have the audacity to criticize one young girl and her parents for allowing her to go after what she believes in? Give me a break. What have you done in your life? What are your kids dling with theirs?
To the Praisers: Be careful as to how you praise. Make valid points, because the NAY sayers will have more fuel to criticize and find fault with your defense.
I don’t hear anyone complaining about those mid-east kids that are 12 (and younger) learning to shoot and carry AK-47s, and taking or giving up their lives, Oh wait, that’s someone elses’ worry isn’t it?
This young lady has the moxie, perserverance, and knowledge to set off after a goal. She will, more than likely, be a strong person in her journey thru life. Look at the entire picture before making comments with poor grammer and spelling.
This young lady has done more to encourage young people to pursue their dreams (goals if you would) in the past few months than most of you have done if a life time and I do mean that collectively.
In essance, I’m saying, “shut up, spend more time with your own kids and grandkids, and encourage THEM to go forth and pursue their dreams.
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- Ralph - Jun 12, 2010 at 9:14 AM
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If this had turned out well, she would have been a heroine! I commend young people for focussing their energies for accomplishments-that’s right-accomplishments. Would you rather they sit home and play video games! In some cultures girls are forced to marry before they even have their period! I don’t see anyone harping about the wrong in that! Just recently a 12 y/o girl received a divorce from her 80 y/o husband! I would rather my 12 y/o daughter climb Mt. Whatever, than be married to a child molestor! Where is the pride in that? Both of my grown children are in the military. One was in a far more dangerous position and place than any of the kids in this story. My daughter will be going there next. They don’t even have a choice. This will be 10x more dangerous, with no rescue attempts to be made, so to speak! But whether they live or die, I will be proud of them for serving their country. I am proud of these kids, whether they succeed or not, for getting off their lazy assess and going for it! Shame on all of you who condemn them. Maybe it’s a case of jealousy. What are your kids doing? Getting pregnant? Going to a movie? Big friggin’ deal! Never crush a person’s dreams, no matter how old that person is!
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- WTF - Jun 12, 2010 at 9:20 AM
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learn how to type or stay off the blogs
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- klb - Jun 12, 2010 at 9:24 AM
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Agreed. Most of the negative responses are from parents who condemn the actions of Abby’s parents, yet they are perfectly content with sending their own 16 year old out the door to drive and text while passing other cars at a distance of two feet on the way to the mall. Far more dangerous IMO. The parents of this girl did not send her out for the voyage unprepared. She was equipped to deal with this emergency, and more importantly, was mature enough to be trained to deal with this emergency. Good on her parents in my opinion. I do think a close following boat would have been a better decision though.
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- Tess - Jun 12, 2010 at 9:33 AM
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I am flipping amazed at how people look at 16 as babies.. And what in 2 years when they become legal adults, you will all EXPECT them to be automatically mature and have all the answers.. Good god what planet are you all from? Our kids in high school are making decision for their future, should we not listen to them because they are BABIES… “Oh, I am sorry honey, you have no clue what you want, because you are IMMATURE, but in 2 years, you will know it all and then you can make that decision”.
Not to many years back 16 year old were starting their own families without all our modern luxuries, and I think they did pretty good, we are here aren’t we.
By the time I was 16, I was going to school and working 3 jobs to help pay the bills.. I was perfectly capable of taking off on horseback alone in the mountain and spending several days. Where I grew up we had bears, bobcats, cougars, wolves, coyotes, and rattlesnakes. I knew what could happen and I was prepared… My mother was in no way irresponsible, she came from the Age of American who had BACKBONE. She chose to let me grow up with responsibility.
My mother was born in 1917, she was responsible for her younger siblings at 8 yrs old. She built airplanes during WWII. After the war she married the love of her life.. She raised my older sister like you did back then, to be a housewife.. When my father died in 1972, she taught herself how to plumb, how to fix her car and most important she raised me to be able to stand on my own to feet and take care of myself..
Did she worry when at 15 joined the local police Explorer program? Yes she did, she was against it, she wanted to protect me.. But she remembered what my father had said to her many many years early. Life is for living, you can’t protect them forever from getting hurt. So she let me do it… At 16 I was buy drugs off scum that was selling it to children, as young as 9, used as a lure to get the attention of a child molestor, to get him put behind bars. Did my mother worry, damn right she did, but she knew the officers would do everything they could to protect me. She also knew I wanted to do this, I wanted to get this scum off our streets… This is not something you would see a 16 yr old do today, why? Because no one believes in teenagers, no one allows them to grow up like we did.
In our attempt to protect children we have taken away their ability to grow up responsibly, take a look around it happens everyday. It is hard for them to find jobs because we have hobbled when they can work and for how long… A little hard work never hurt anyone… But taking it away has created a country of WHIMPS and WHINERS and people who sit around and judge others.
My daughters are both teens.. My oldest is classified as a sharpshooter, she is able to defend herself, she is a straight “A” student.. She is considering going into the military when she graduates, we have discussed it.. She knows how I feel, how it would scare me, but she also knows that if that is her decision for HER LIFE, I will support her. My youngest, is a straight “A” student and into dirtbiking, horseback riding, sky diving, competitive basketball, acting, running, and martial arts, she can having you begging for mercy because you know what hit you. She is only 15. OMG how could I allow my child to do sports that could injure her.. Because I am raising my kids like I was raised.. LIVE LIFE TO IT’S FULLEST BECAUSE IT IS TO DAMN SHORT NOT TO. My husband died at 38, but in those 38 years he lived, lived more life than most of you sitting here and judging this girls parents. And he did not die in any accident, all the doctors can tell us was that he lost the electrical charge in his body, it was like something just turned off a light switch when he collasped.
Years before my mother died, her brother passed away and she wanted to go back to Oklahoma for his funeral, but she would not fly. So I drove her, 2 1/2 days, and I got her to oklahoma.. I fought with my sister before we left.. She said it would kill out mother to make the trip and I said then she will die doing what she wants, now get the hell out of my way and get back in your coccoon.. That was 1991, my mother left this earth in 2004.. Thank you mom for letting me grow up rather than turning me into a whimp… I love you
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- Not True - Jun 12, 2010 at 9:53 AM
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No, it is not the parent’s job to “protect” a 16 year old. It is the parent’s job to raise children who are “prepared” for the challenges of life. Unless you want your kid wrapped in bubble wrap for the rest of their life, they need to learn the skills that will allow them to meet challenges head on, challenge the status quo in order to question, and to advance society by going further then the generation before it. Otherwise, we are going backwards. I love the term “helicopter parents” because it is so accurate to what is going on today – and we are raising children who will be grounded for life, going no where because they are afraid to cross the street without safety gear in place.
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- Not a Stunt - Jun 12, 2010 at 10:12 AM
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Please note: the definition of a stunt: “A stunt is an unusual and difficult physical feat, or any act requiring a special skill, performed for artistic purposes in TV, theatre, or cinema.”
The author obviously is letting his bias and views show through. That is not journalism – that is a freaking blog! ih has NO BUSINESS being in placed in this article – or any journalistic endeavor.
Besides, a handful of teens or youth engaged in adventurous behavior hardly represnts a trend. This has been going on for eons….
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- maggie - Jun 12, 2010 at 10:14 AM
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I tried to post earlier on some of aspects of sailor vs. sea you mention. I wonder if current electronic sailing equipment (satellite communication, etc.) could make some people over-confident. Fatigue can catch up with solo sailors aiming at swift travel, slowing down reaction time during crises.
I wonder if recent young sailors and their families read books by Robin Graham (DOVE, THE BOY WHO SAILED ROUND THE WORLD ALONE) about his voyage in the 1960′s. Although his aim was to see the world, so his trip took years, at times he suffered from extreme fatigue, which on top of unexpected accidents, rough seas and doldrums, made it almost miraculous that he survived.
Robin also experience a post-voyage “let down”; men who walked on the moon had similar problems with going on with life after you’ve “reached the top”–what do you aspire for, if you live for challenges, what can you do next? Just because some people didn’t drink or do drugs during their adventure, doesn’t mean they won’t in the future when they can’t find another “extreme adventure” high.
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- Shannon - Jun 12, 2010 at 10:16 AM
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Really? How old were you when you moved here from Africa?
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- justover49 - Jun 12, 2010 at 10:51 AM
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What has made living in America so great is the choices we have. Go Abby!
I agree with the comment and notion that feeding kids junk food could be called criminal! Pouring soda in a babies bottle ” ’cause they like it”. Hello! Is it because most adults are completely unaware of the dangers of this practice? Sailing solo would never be my choice of an activity but thats my choice.
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- Unapologetically American - Jun 12, 2010 at 11:51 AM
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I’m so glad you have picked up on the fact that all American kids are massive drug addicts and the ones who aren’t are doing worthwhile things like wasting massive amounts of tax dollars from 3 separate countries and putting countless lives on the line to persue their own gratification. I’m glad someone out there has their finger right on the pulse of American youth. Also, I’m not exactly sure of your definition on the topic, but I’m pretty sure being lost at sea for several days, having your communications knocked out, and your mast snapped in half is not “kicking the ocean’s ass.” It’s more like having your ass handed to you by the ocean and being told “best not try this a second time because I probably won’t be as forgiving…”
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- sure... - Jun 12, 2010 at 11:54 AM
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um, sure…. how many times did drew berrymore go to rehab before she turned 16? yep, thats faith in your kid alright.
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- Augusta Steve - Jun 12, 2010 at 12:18 PM
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This is the adventure and pioneer spirit that built this country and was then abandoned. I say bravo to her and her family to reject all the criticism from those who would rather live in padded rooms than to take a chance at greatness. God I miss the good old USA.
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- Augusta Steve - Jun 12, 2010 at 12:22 PM
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She did nothing different from Lindbergh and Earhart other than being young and courageous. She should be a national hero rather than a point of criticism. I miss this adventure spirit that used to be this country.
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- Grow Up and Get a Grip - Jun 12, 2010 at 12:27 PM
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Did you know: that in 11 states the age of consent (also the age age at which a person is legally considered an ADULT) is 18, in 3 or 4 states it is 17, and in all the rest it is 16! That means that in the eyes of the law in almost 4/5′s of this country she is an ADULT …….NOT a child. Did you know that in MANY countries around the world 12 is the age of adulthood?? how is it that is these countries a 12 year old can leave their parents home and survive but in this country most can barely manage at 18? The answer is simple. Too many people like you, Amazed, treating YOUNG ADULTS like children!!
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- Jill - Jun 12, 2010 at 12:28 PM
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Good for her talking about her faith. I think depends on family background, some families are more risk taking, adventurous than others. Neither one is bad, just what it is. I would be concerned about pirates as much as anything. Alot of teen age kids, whose families are well off or not well of but in the horse business, ride horses, not always that safe either if you think about it but what a joy to do this when you are young.
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- thank you - Jun 12, 2010 at 12:49 PM
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it is nice to hear a sensible person thought on this topic
