Private Mars Rocket II

If you haven't heard, Abby Sunderland (her blog) is a 17-year-old girl that attempted to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world. She failed when her ship was dismasted in the south Indian ocean at 40 degrees south latitude. For you non-sailors, 40 south is the start of the Southern Ocean. There's no land there, thus storms and seas build to monstrous heights. It's not a safe place to be.

Various people have argued that her parents are responsible, shouldn't have let her do this, and that Abby's too young. They also argue that Abby pressed on in conditions she shouldn't have. My thoughts are:

1) Yes, her parents are at least partially responsible. Abby didn't buy a 40-foot boat with money saved from babysitting gigs.
2) Seventeen is a bit young, but for most of history, people that age were considered adults. Having not met her, I have no idea if she has the level of maturity needed.
3) Seventeen is not fourteen. There is a world of difference between here and the Dutch teenager trying to do the same thing.
4) Yes, "go fever" or "get-there-itis" is a problem. But when you're stuck in the middle of the Indian Ocean, you may have no choice but to keep going.

In short, I see Abby's case as a gray area.