Is letting a 13 year old race motorcycles child neglet/endangerment?

[The Troll]

Troll that particular sport is very dangerous even for an adult and though I agree it was their right to allow their kid to race I would not have allowed a child of mine to do something like that, at least I don't think I would have, as much as I enjoyed going to them and motocross races and feeling the excitement when my ex brother-in-law won or came in close to first.  I do disagree with Ann that they don't know the dangers though because they see it happen a lot when they are racing at those levels because of the number of events they are in each year and they are well aware it could happen to them too.  I'd say his parents were aware of the danger too just as Ex was aware of the danger of taking his kids sky diving but you can't live your life in a cocoon.

                           I I I aggggree with  you.

[Mr442]

One of the stories on this accident did mention how the high temps made the track slippery.  Even a few of the top professional riders had get offs due to the lack of traction.  It was just a bad situation for all, and much worse for some.

And unless  you have raced in competition, you will never understand the feeling you get, it is magical.  Remember, mom and dad didn't force the kid to ride, they were only letting him enjoy his talents and interests.  Much like any parent will do for their children.  Doesn't matter if it's racing or tiddlywinks, we all want our children to do well and enjoy something positive.  He could have been skipping school and smoking weed, but he was doing something he loved, and something that had a good potential future to it, a good wholesome activity.

[Palehorse]

I doubt the red neck thing. The kid was a Canadian . . . He was hit by another rider after taking a spill in one of the curves.  .   .

[Palehorse]

One of the highest priorities of the numerous responsibilities of becoming a parent is the absolute duty of keeping your child safe, within every aspect of their lives over which a human being maintains any semblance of control. While certainly some of us as adults exercise a greater ability in certain areas than others, the protection of ones offspring is an instinctual reaction; or at least should be in some cases.

The law within this country have determined that human beings should achieve a certain number of years before they can legally be eligible to operate a motor vehicle upon the roadways. While this age milestone may vary slightly from state to state, the main take away from this fact is that it has been determined that human beings are required to achieve a certain level of development in order to be trusted to exercise a higher degree of tempered judgment as it connects with physical ability.

Far too often within today's society we see adults (parents) living vicariously through their children; from the catwalks of beauty pageants, the defensive line on a football field, the corners of an ice hockey rink, to the motor speedways of this country. And minus the legislation to properly gate these events adults will continue to place their children at risk in order to feed their addiction to, or regrets surrounding, their own formative years. 

Perhaps it is due to the life circumstances growing up in an era wherein perhaps their families could not afford to let them participate in organized sporting programs, etc. Or maybe they just plain lacked the ability or skill sets to achieve what they saw their heroes accomplish. Whatever it is it seems to have overridden the instinctual drive to protect their own children and prevent them from coming to harm.

Legally, I don't think that allowing a 13 year old to race motorcycles within sanctioned competitions is a crime of any sort, but the key question we all seem to be missing is not whether it is abusive or endangering to the child, (which clearly it is dangerous above and beyond that to which the average 13 year old would be expected to be exposed to), but rather, is it fair to the child to allow him/her to risk their lives and future health in such a pursuit, and what are we as a society teaching these children by doing so?

Is it fair? I do not believe it to be. Certainly a child may tell us they know the risks and they are willing to assume them, but every single one of us knows that they know nothing about such things and that they are speaking from an emotional perspective as opposed to an informed one. And any adult that endorses such a high level of risk is, from my perspective, just as guilty of the same emotional behavior and decision making. No matter what this child's parents may say publicly, I'd bet the farm that they are privately cursing the day they ever allowed him to sit astride a motorcycle and race it. They gave in to their child's emotional and uninformed decision making skills, and joined him in the delusional idea that he was invincible.

And each of us knows far too much about the invincibility thing at that age. How many times have you thought back upon your own actions during the same age bracket, and had the thought, "I don't know why I am still alive" Well, the answer is that your parents would not allow you engage in such endeavors at that age, and it scared the crap out of you so you did not repeat it. . . did you?

This whole business has got out of control and adults continue to demonstrate that they do not possess the ability or will to protect their children from unnecessary risks, and exercise some parental authority in refusing to allow it.  While I agree that motor racing in all its forms is an engaging and entertaining pursuit, society must insist upon the achievement of basic abilities in order to allow individuals to pursue the sport, and provide engineered solutions to mitigate the risks associated with engaging in it at the lesser levels. (Speed governance, protective equipment, easier course, etc.)

Certainly the dangers associated with the pursuit of racing are inherent, and each of its practitioners and participants must exercise their right to participate and weigh the risks associated with it against the benefits. But shouldn't we require that they have the ability to arrive at an educated and informed decision before allowing them to do so?  If we do not what are we teaching these children and how will it impact their own decision making process when it comes to your grandchildren?

[me]

                           I I I aggggree with  you.

[Exterminator]

  More kids die in bath tubs, falling out of trees, riding bicycles, swimming pools, drowning in ponds, skate boarding than riding in a motorcycle race.  It's bad and I'm sad it happened, but life go one.

I thought we had already covered the math portion of this discussion but some are apparently still challenged by statistical analysis.  Of course more kids will die doing those things because in any given year, there are probably tens of millions of kids doing them whereas there are probably only a few hundred even coming close to participating in this sport at this level.

[Sandy Eggo]

I'm a parent and I consider myself a thoughtful, informed and engaged parent. I monitor my daughter's activities and safety and I encourage her to try as many things that interest her. Because of all of this, I agree with Mr. 442. I also agree with PH re: the parent's grief and the torment that will follow them the rest of their lives. Guilt generally becomes a part of a parent's being the day a child is born. All of those coulds, woulds and shoulds take on a completely different level of importance when you realize that every decision you make, even the minute ones, impact the future of someone who's counting on you.

I want to skydive, but I've opted to wait to learn until my daughter is grown (she's 13 now) ...just in case. She wants to learn with me.  She has expressed interest in learning to ride a dirt bike. She hasn't had lessons yet, but it's in the forecast. She loves motorcycles and 4 wheelers and rides on both with trusted drivers (but hasn't driven either) on a regular basis.

I don't know if I would allow her race, but I do believe that she can comprehend the risk.

[Exterminator]

Well said, PH.

[Henry Hawk]

I agree with Ex, where he said to PH.."well said"....PH, always has a way with words...

My only thing is I do not want the government to step in and start dictating MORE rules...the racing league should be the one to realize what they have allowed to happen....and enforce it's own rules regarding "age".

as far as parenting....that is a whole new topic.

[followsthewolf]

Henry posted"

"My only thing is I do not want the government to step in and start dictating MORE rules."

I wonder...........back in the day, would you have been against child labor laws being enacted.

[Henry Hawk]

Henry posted"

"My only thing is I do not want the government to step in and start dictating MORE rules."

I wonder...........back in the day, would you have been against child labor laws being enacted.

nope

[The Troll]

nope

  There is one rule I would like to see.  The government would take people like the Hawk and let him stop paying Social Security tax and let him handle the money for his retirement.  But forever, for him and them no govenment aid for them for ever.  No Medicare, no Medicade (nursing home), and  nothing for his or their kids if they pass before they get to be 65.  Just think if Hawk was killed coming home from Indianapolis and he didn't have S.S. his kid and wife would get nothing and I'll bet as cheap as he is, he doesn't have life insurance to take care of them.

  Just think Hawk would have to plan to the dime and nickle of what he is going to have when he choose to quite working.  But to a Republican everybody should be made to work until the day they die poor, except the rich.

[Henry Hawk]

I'll bet as cheap as he is, he doesn't have life insurance to take care of them.

why don't you just shut the fuck up once in a while?...

[me]

why don't you just shut the fuck up once in a while?...

 

[The Troll]

why don't you just shut the fuck up once in a while?...

  Oh the power of the Tweak, it feels so good to see a thrown Tweak get under the skin of someone so cheap.  Or is that frugal.        Troll.