Did you hear that 16 year old Abigail Sunderland who was sailing solo around the world has been found safe and sound? If you are like me your first thought will be, "who?" followed quickly by, "who cares?" But apparently, most people don't think the way I do.Actually it's not that I didn't care about poor Abbie, but just like that 13 year old boy who climbed Mount Everest where people have died in droves I wonder why no one is up in arms over parents allowing their children to do stunts like this. Not being rich or even white, if I had kids and left them alone in my house or apartment for a day or two, people would want my head on a platter for child neglect or endangerment. Why the difference? Or am I just making something out of nothing?
Good question. Unfortunately I don't have an answer.
ReplyDeleteInteresting thought. When I saw this on CNN i wondered why she would want to do this?
ReplyDeleteNo, you're making it out of nothing. I guess (some) people assume white kids are just gonna get into some Goonies style fantastic adventure and your kids are gonna end up joining a street gang. Anyhow, black or white, I hate irresponsible parents, and I get furious whenever I hear of things like babies left locked in the car with the windows closed in a hot summer day only to be found dead hours later.
ReplyDeleteI hope this doesn't sound cruel, but I also don't get why such a story merits so much national news time (of course, I feel that way about a lot of news stories). I'd rather hear about issues that affect thousands of people, like the notorious oil spill.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't quite understand why a parent would allow a child to travel unaccompained around the world, oh yeah her brother did it successfully.
ReplyDeleteIf I had my way I would make sure the kids were removed from the home temporarily, until the parents received therapy.
The State would send social workers, police and a court appointed officer to our house if you or I had allowed our child or children to partake in such activity.
I'm pleased she was found safe.
Gummi Bare - Don't worry about it, that question will probably still be asked long after both of us are dead.
ReplyDeletecorve - As a child I actually understand why she would want to do this, because most children think of themselves as indestructible. But as an adult when you know better, I don't understand why as parents you allow children to take such risks.
Eduardo - I hate irresponsibility as well but I don't understand why there seems to be a difference in standards between different social groups.
Oday - Unfortunately or fortunately in the US and in much of the rest of the world, the news will always be dominated by those who are seen as the beautiful ones otherwise known as "white, young and female."
Chet - I'm pleased everything turned out alright too, but I just don't understand why no one seems to question the hypocrisy of this society.
Oops I realized there was a "not" missing in my comment (No, you're NOT making out...). There is that difference in standards that shouldn't be there, indeed.
ReplyDeleteI am with you ALL the way on this one!
ReplyDeleteEduardo - I'm sure everyone knew where you were the first time they read your comment just by reading the whole thing.
ReplyDeleteTGK - I'm glad you feel that way and this was even before I knew about all the money spent looking for this girl and the risk of life to the others who rescued her.