Nutty parents and their craze for infant celebrity

[stockhausen]

A Dutch court has put a 13-year-old girl into state care for two months, stalling her bid to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world. - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8226196.stm

A 17-year-old boy has become the youngest person to sail solo around the world after entering UK waters. - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8223760.stm

Dear merciful God, what will people do next for their 15 minutes of fame

 

[RDM]

Your definition of infant is an unusual one it seems.

The first is too young, the second though I don't really see the problem. He is over 16 after all.

 

[stockhausen]

Your definition of infant is an unusual one it seems.

The first is too young, the second though I don't really see the problem. He is over 16 after all.

Not only that but I believe that he was followed all the way around the world by a doting parent sailing a few miles astern of him

 

[twist3d0n3]

bit harsh on the kids if they're forced into this sort of thing ( a la those sick beauty pagents for 5yo's in america...)

 

[antijoke]

Dick Dekker. HAHAHAHAHA

 

[Catahya]

I thought the 13 year old girl has been sailing for years and that she was the one who wanted to sail around the world and the parents did'nt mind? I'm sure I've read that on several websites

 

[Klo]

I have no problem with the 17yr old guy, however, for the 13yr old girl, I reckon its fair that the courts turn down the requests.