Sunday, June 13, 2010

Is 16 too young to do anything solo?

If you have been following the news about the 16 year old girl that attempted to sail around the world you would know that her attempt has ended. After a storm left her sail boat's mast broken, she had to end her trip. The controversy surrounding her age is by far over shadowing her dream. I have seen way too many stories and polls online saying she is too young to attempt such a feat. To them I say phooey and here is why:

Society has a short memory. Much of our history is forged on people under the age of 18 leading armies, making discoveries and doing extraordinary feats. If you want a short refresher course in history just check out this page. Of course that does not take into account that only 200 years ago people were often married and had started families by the age of 16. Kings and Queens were often put in charge of armies at very young ages. It was not uncommon that Kings married a "woman" that was only 12 and that the child bride outlived the King and took over running the kingdom.

Nature has made humans sexually mature at the age of 13-14 years of age. Normally when a mammal is strong enough and able enough to reproduce we call them adults. So why the controversy over a 16 year old girl who wants to accomplish something in her young life. Maybe it is not her age but because she is a girl. After all, her brother did the same thing last year and I don't remember an outcry about him. Of course he is a "man" when he did something young.

Have we not only a double standard about sex but age as well?

No comments: