Do we underestimate our children?

I see that in the wake of the Abby Sunderland rescue in the Indian Ocean, there are people carping that a 16-year-old never should have been allowed to try an around-the-world solo sail. I think this is rubbish, and a sign of a people who have lost the can-do spirit of America. Alexander the Great succeeded to his throne at 19, and conquered the known world. Mozart composed at 5 and performed to audiences shortly thereafter. Why shouldn't a 16-year-old girl try a round-the-world solo if she really wants to? Is she in any more danger than a kid on a motorcycle without a helmet? Is she in any more danger than a teenager in a gang shootout? Is she in any more danger than a kid living on fast food and cigarettes? Is she in any more danger than a kid shooting up drugs? Yes, she might conceivably die in the attempt, but she has taken on a monumental challenge and ought to be honored for that.

When we went to Alaska some years ago on a small ship, the ship stopped at a tiny Alaskan town accessible only by ship or float-plane and one of the inhabitants came on board before we visited and told us about life in this town. Her husband was a fisherman, and her son began to help on the boat at 8, and at 12 was in charge of all the lines on one side of the boat, and therefore in charge of 1/2 of the family's income. That kid has gone on to be very successful as an adult, no doubt in part because of the responsibility he was given at a young age.

We went to a recital this afternoon of young people who had won a local classical musical competition over the past few years. The talent was extraordinary. Violinists and pianists and flute and french horn players and mezzo-sopranos - all young (some just sophomores in high school, the oldest just out of college), all playing/singing incredibly hard pieces and playing/singing them at a professional level. Fortunately no one remembered to tell them that they were just kids, and couldn't possibly manage music this hard and do it at a professional level. So they did!

I don't think we ask to much of our children, I think we expect too little of them. Yes, they are young, but if they have a talent and a passion we do them a great disservice by assuming they can't follow that passion or use that talent to its fullest, even at a young age. I salute Abby for her courage and determination, and I salute her brother and her parents for supporting her passion.

And to those who carp about allowing her to try, I say "Get out of the way. The future will be shaped by the Abby's of the world, not by the over-cautious naysayers!"