What were her parents thinking?
 

Many people were asking that question as a 16-year-old girl sat adrift and alone in the frigid southern Indian Ocean,
her ship's mast dashed along with her around-the-world sailing effort.
Sea of criticism for adrift young sailor's parents - Yahoo! News
If you were the parent would you have allowed your 16 year old daughter
to attempt to sail around the world alone?

Same thing they were thinking when they let her brother do it.

And what do you suppose that was?

The additional question remains: If you were the parent would you have allowed your 16 year old daughter to attempt to sail around the world alone?

I don't know the young lady, or her skills. The media is making an issue out of it, but sixteen can be fairly mature. I wouldn't let a twelve year old do it, but yes, a sixteen year old, if she was skilled enough and tough enough mentally. She wouldn't likely be, but age wouldn't be the disqualifier, her ability would

We have a family friend (my daughter's school friend) who sailed single-handed around Great Britain in a small boat (it took three months) upon graduation from high school (OK, A levels in the UK). She supported the Ellen MacArthur Trust, built her skills, then raced a solo ocean race, then completed a solo trans-Atlantic race (OSTAR) last year. Youngest ever female to complete the race. I'd let my daughter sail around the world if she had Katie's skills. Yes, she is 22 now, not 16, but it came to mind.

Katie Miller Yacht Racing

Now Quick, would you let your child sail solo, or climb a mountain, or race a car?

Good question;

knowing them as I do I would encourage them to count the cost.
I Also know the decision they would make, so any temporary
insanity on their part would quickly fizzle replaced with reasonable
conclusions.

It's not just about one's competencies in the open sea as you never know what you'll run into (weathers, pirates, etc...)

I was thinking about sailing skills, navigation, weather, communications, boat and gear repair, ability to handle being alone, etc. Pirates are a variable that would likely keep me out of that part of the world.

I probably wouldn't even let my 16 year old daughter go on a date.

would you let a 16 year old drive??? those roads are pretty trecherous out there and more people die from car crashes than sailing accidents. I know quite a few friend's kids who sail.

Also, do any of these idiots making the judgment have sailing experience? If you don't how could you make judgement of something you know nothing about..