Would you let a 14 year old travel alone?

Tojo_Ralph

PolishBigSpender wrote: »

Which is the entire problem with the "child protection" culture in the UK.

No-one seems to have actually asked the kids if they want their childhood ruined in order to keep them "safe".

Whilst I agree entirely with your sentiments on this thread to date, it is unfortunate but inevitable that your viewpoint is overshadowed by your tiresomely predictable UK bashing.

PolishBigSpender

Tojo_Ralph wrote: »

Whilst I agree entirely with your sentiments on this thread to date, it is unfortunate but inevitable that your viewpoint is overshadowed by your tiresomely predictable UK bashing.

To be honest, many other countries could be bashed in the same way - I've heard some absolute horror stories about "child protection" in Sweden for instance.

Funnily enough, the upper classes don't seem bothered at all by child protection - horse riding, hunting, gun shooting, polo playing, all sorts of dangerous activities are done by them

ferf1223

If the camp is attended by many international kids, chances are good that there will be other kids from the UK attending at the same time. Perhaps the camp has a programme by which (if desired) families with kids who will be going the same time can get to know each other in advance...which would perhaps go some way toward the OP feeling a bit better about letting her daughter go off on such an adventure. If it were me, I would contact the camp to discuss my hesitation - I guarantee it won't be the first time they have had the question, and that they have ways to put a parent's mind at rest.

I'm certain I was mature enough at 14 to do something like this, and I'm certain my mother would have agreed. I would like to think that if I had a child who wanted to do this, and I were satisfied with the camp's operations and the airline's measures for unaccompanied minors that I would let her go.

Fortunately (or perhaps in many ways, unfortunately) for kids today, they are much better informed about the evils of society...as such, they are much more likely to report when something terrible has happened or has nearly happened - they know it's wrong and terrible and it's OK to say something about it, that it's not their fault...more reporting means (apparently) that some people think that incidents of a terrible nature have increased and OMG they are everywhere, lock the kids up! when in fact, probably these terrible things happen with the same regularity, but just come to light more often than when many of us were kids.

I thought you shouldn't take candy from strangers because it was poison. My husband thought you shouldn't go with the man who says he has puppies to show you because...well....there was a lack of puppies. We were never told what the candy/puppy people might do to us...we made assumptions kids in those days would make. Today's kids know very well why the candy/puppy people are dangerous...and that makes them a lot safer than we were...and yet, we were allowed to do all kinds of things kids today aren't.

nearlyrich

My DS went long distance unaccompanied on the train from about 13 or 14 and the first time it was really hard for me to let him go...he was a sensible mature lad and I knew he would be fine but as a Mum you always see the dangers lurking. I had to get past my fears to let him become the independant adult he now is.

My DD went on an international exchange to canada, she was a bit older than 14 but she had an amazing time, I hope you manage to make the rght decision for all concerned...

loopy_lass

in my opinion, nope its not safe, shes a child, end of... better safe than dead or abused .that would be a life long ruin ... its not just the UK there is a child protection issue its anywhere you get people.

some people know these children are alone and will go out of their ways to make contact, work there etc..


loops

PolishBigSpender

loopy_lass wrote: »

in my opinion, nope its not safe, shes a child, end of... better safe than dead or abused .that would be a life long ruin ... its not just the UK there is a child protection issue its anywhere you get people.

Hahaha. What's not safe about a child being accompanied from the check in desk, all the way onto the flight, then watched by a designated member of cabin crew throughout the flight, then accompanied from the plane, through immigration and customs, to landside where a designated person (who will have to show some sort of ID) will take care of the child?

Certainly much safer than going to your local shop!

I also wonder where the opportunities to be "killed or abused" are on such a trip?

some people know these children are alone and will go out of their ways to make contact, work there etc..

What nonsense. Do !!!!!philes take jobs in corner shops, knowing that 14 year olds might drop in and they can 'make contact and abuse them'? Please...be realistic.

loopy_lass

yes they do take jobs in positions which allows them "Innocent" access to children, ok ill keep my professional mouth shut...

with respect, i hope the child enjoys the holiday of course... and hope the person picking them up and caring for them is a good person also...

Tojo_Ralph

loopy_lass wrote: »

yes they do take jobs in positions which allows them "Innocent" access to children.

The problem is that if a parent kept their child away from the kind of places you suggest kiddy diddlers might exist, the child would not attend school, partake in sports, go on vacation or have unsupervised contact with relatives, for lest we forget, if anyone is likely to harm your child, the odds are it will be a relative or a family friend.

loopy_lass

of course when at school etc the child is not away from the PCG for a lengrh of time to allow pressure to be put on them by grooming... however as i said i hope the parents make the right decision for them and the child and the child enjoys the holiday should they go.



loops.

Tojo_Ralph

loopy_lass wrote: »

of course when at school etc the child is not away from the PCG for a lengrh of time to allow pressure to be put on them by grooming.

If a child can be groomed in the safety of their own home via the internet, phone, text or contact with family and friends, then I'm pretty sure that when it comes to traveling to/from and attending school, a child can be groomed during the daily contact spanning, weeks, months and years.