Should Abby Sutherland's parents be criticized for "allowing" her to attempt to sail around the world solo?

Yes, and it shouldn't have taken "lost at sea" for people to start criticizing them. 16 is too young.....too young to sail around the world solo.....too young to make the decision to attempt it. Her parents should never have 'allowed' it in the first place. Abby did make the 'mature' decision to activate the emergency beacon and I'm glad she's alive and well.....I hope her rescue goes well.

My feeling is that this was an ill-concieved attempt to emulate the achievement of 18-year old Jessica Watson, and to gain publicity and no doubt money from the venture. As a yachtsman myself, my main criticism is that the boat was a poor choice, being more suited for club racing in a coastal or enclosed water environment than for an ocean crossing. I think it's good for kids to be adventuruous, and for parents to not be over-protective, but the brain does not physically mature until the mid (or late) twenties, and parents do have a responsibility to supply the judgement that their offspring are not yet able to exercise; in this case, they should have sought expert advice on the boat and its capabilities. I think they might havebeen irresponsible in this instance.

A kid can't even cross state line under 18 without parental consent. Why do they think that is a good idea. That isn't a good idea for ANYONE to do solo, much less a kid.

No one with any brains would have called this anything but stupid and reckless. I can't understand nor condone putting your child's life at risk for anything this stupid. This was serious negligence on her parents part.

They should be handed the bill. Grandfather say.. "With great fame comes great responsibility".

Yes, it cost Australian tax payers $200.000 to rescue her, she is too young.

Yes. It was all I could do to let mine drive away from the house at 16.

They will be criticized anyhow. There are extremists on both sides of every topic there is. As far as my opinion on the matter, I think that only her parents can know if it was a good decision or not. There is a balance between protecting a child and letting them spread their wings. How does a parent know where to draw the line between protecting their children and squashing their dreams? Hey, that sounds like a good AB question.

Whether they should or should not be, they WILL be. It was an idiotic thing to let her do, in my opinion. They are supposed to protect and keep her safe. I think they failed miserably as parents. Last night on TV the dad said "Most people who criticize will probably die in front of their TVs." I'm guessing that one or both parents would give everything they had to have her home watching TV tonight. Idiots. I can't even fathom this craziness.