A girl made a ward of court. Options

[GMR]

A girl made a ward of court.

A Dutch court has put a 13-year-old girl under state care for two months, stalling her bid to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world.
The decision by three Utrecht judges means Laura Dekker's parents, who support her plans, temporarily lose the right to make decisions about her.

The girl’s parents are behind her and so seems the public. Where the Dutch authorities right to interfere?

Rest of the story here:-

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8226196.stm

[Darren]

"We're talking about a 13-year-old," she told the BBC. "You can also question whether she's able to take this decision for herself, and whether the parents are making the decision in the best interests of Laura."

Sums it up really.

She's 13 for heavens sake. You have to question whether she want to do it just for the record rather than, "I want simply to learn about the world and to live freely."

[Sarah]

As a mother of two, I would be very surprised if a 13 year old was mature enough, physically or emotionally, to tackle such a huge task.

In my opinion the authorities made a wise decision.

[GMR]

I agree with both posts. I wouldn't let my kids at that age travel around the world on their own. Not only is it dangerous but there are other consideration to take into account; interacting with other people, the social aspects, education etc. Anyway, she's got the rest of her life in front of her. I think this is more of a case of the parents wanting to make a name for themselves and their child.

[J C]

I'm glad the authorities stepped in, her father had already tried to take her out of school for 2 years and thankfully had that request turned down. She may want to sail around the world but she will have been brought up by her father and his ambition for her to do this will be at the root of it.
Children should be allowed to be children and not put in situations where they become grown up too soon.

[Roost]

I wonder how many parents have let their 13 year old children go to the festival this weekend either on their own or 'accompanied' by friends?? That's a fantastic environment for a young child.......!

[Wicca]

With the ATC at 13 I shot rifles and flew in powered planes and gliders.

[JeffG]

With the ATC at 13 I shot rifles and flew in powered planes and gliders.

No harm in any of that. But you were supervised/had an instructor on board. That's a whole lot of difference.

[Wicca]

Not when your 16 and going solo you don't.

If her parents followed behind would that make the situation more preferable?

[Strafin]

I don't have a problem with her sailing a boat, but 2 years out of school? Did you do that Wicca? I think anyone even trying to do this should be seriously looked at as parents.

[Wicca]

I wish I had, I hated school!

2 years out of school is a tad much to be honest.

[Strafin]

I probably did if you put all of my skived lessons together!

[JeffG]

Not when your 16 and going solo you don't.

You said 13. Hence my comment. I know full well that 16 is the minimum age for first solo and also know what it feels like when the seat behind you is empty for the first time.

[Wicca]

Your first experience flight and in control is 13, you can't go solo until 16

[Tom Foolery]

Your first experience flight and in control is 13, you can't go solo until 16

You're omitting that in order to fly solo, you get trained to do so by a pilot. You can go flying/gliding at 13, providing you have passed certain exams set. That's different to sailing around the world, on your own, for a few months.

[JeffG]

There is no minimum age for an experience flight. Maybe the ATC set their own limits and requirements, but that's something else. All the law says is that you must be 16 to fly solo.

This is getting off topic - you compared being allowed to fly with this girl being allowed to sail round the world solo at the age of 13. They are not comparable, since you must be accompanied.

[user23]

As a mother of two, I would be very surprised if a 13 year old was mature enough, physically or emotionally, to tackle such a huge task.

In my opinion the authorities made a wise decision.

Ah, the classic "as a parent" statement.

[Sarah]

Ah, the classic "as a parent" statement.

Ah, the classic 'as a troll' statement.

[Darren]

If you read any of the accounts of round-the-world-yachting, the one thing they all remark on how hard the loneliness is on you. Can anyone honestly say a 13-year old is physically and emotionally up to the task?

Also, I freely admit to not knowing much about boats, isn't an 8m boat a tad small? Ellen Macathur's was 23m and Mike Perham's was 15m.

[GMR]

If you read any of the accounts of round-the-world-yachting, the one thing they all remark on how hard the loneliness is on you. Can anyone honestly say a 13-year old is physically and emotionally up to the task?

Also, I freely admit to not knowing much about boats, isn't an 8m boat a tad small? Ellen Macathur's was 23m and Mike Perham's was 15m.

I believe that a lot of man power we be used to track her and keep an eye on her. Also; if she should also get an injury or die think of all the flack her parents and the authorities would get.