Photograph © 2010 Robert Glenn Ketchum
My son at age 11, free-climb
In the last two weeks, many parents have felt free to weigh-in as critics of the Sunderland family that allowed their young daughter to attempt an around-the-world sailing adventure. I would suggest before offering their opinions, have they asked themselves: When was the last time my child was “Into the Woods”? Has my child EVER had a serious, challenging encounter with wild land and wild-NESS in some form?
To me as a youth, and hopefully for my children, these are important encounters that allow them to make critical decisions for themselves and to go forward in life as individuals. Making tactical choices to keep yourself safe and alive in the face of difficult conditions is regularly revisited in wildness.
Photograph © 2010 Robert Glenn Ketchum
My daughter at age 8 under Temple Peak, fishing the jade green waters of Temple Lake (11,000+ feet) with her pink Barbie rod. The trout were biting, dinner for us was delicious! 9th day of the trip, Wind River Mtns, WY
More to the point, critics, ask yourselves, do you believe your children can read a map other than Google? Can they navigate from one point to another without Google or a GPS? Can they distinguish the difference between the atonal voices of any half-dozen pop tarts, but cannot distinguish between a howl of a dog and the cry of a coyote? Do their physical skills carry them to amazing places, or is most time spent inside maneuvering avatars through simulated worlds at war?
As to the adventurous explorers, sailors, climbers, surfers, skiers and the rest who feel secure enough in ourselves and our children to assume and to allow risk and challenge, leave us alone! Worry about the slugs on your couch whose xBox kill skills may be all they ever accomplish.
#rgk
Photograph © 2010 Robert Glenn Ketchum
Wood-Tikch
Wood-Tikch
#rgk
Armchairists tend to be the most vocal about the cost of rescues and whether the rescued was involved in something deemed "risky". Ironically, the most vocal tend to engage in their own set of risky behaviors: driving; overeating; poor nutrition and diet; dependence upon pharmaceuticals; smoking; lack of exercise; etc.,... ;)
ReplyDeleteThe pot loves calling the kettle black!
Well said Robert. It's so empowering for a kid to try something difficult and be successful at it.
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