I don't know whether I like the idea or hate it. I am one hundred percent certain these brainiacs have not thought through their proposition to its logical conclusion, though.
If a kid can be an electrician at age 12, why couldn't they also be--assuming the competency tests were passed--a policeman, train engineer, sailor or soldier? Something where their reflexes and judgment are responsible for the lives of many others.
Also, do we really want go back to an era where it was possible for 30-year-olds to marry 13-year-olds?? There's a certain "ick" factor there, even if it was relatively common in medieval and later eras.
Some things would be an improvement over our current system of protective bubblehood until 18. I for one would have loved to join the Militia or Naval Reserve at 12 or 13 -- which is something I don't think the psychologists pushing this realignment have conceived of, or would endorse.
I have a son who would have joined too. The problem with the 30 year old marrying the 13 year old scenario is that the 13 doesn't see the problems until she is 20 and then the ick factor kicks in big time.
I really need to write this out. I think he does have a point but overall we are not raising our children to undertake the kind of responisibities he is suggesting we give them. As a mid-shipman at 12 Nelson was responsible for men but I don't know any 12 year olds I would take orders from today.
2 comments:
I don't know whether I like the idea or hate it. I am one hundred percent certain these brainiacs have not thought through their proposition to its logical conclusion, though.
If a kid can be an electrician at age 12, why couldn't they also be--assuming the competency tests were passed--a policeman, train engineer, sailor or soldier? Something where their reflexes and judgment are responsible for the lives of many others.
Also, do we really want go back to an era where it was possible for 30-year-olds to marry 13-year-olds?? There's a certain "ick" factor there, even if it was relatively common in medieval and later eras.
Some things would be an improvement over our current system of protective bubblehood until 18. I for one would have loved to join the Militia or Naval Reserve at 12 or 13 -- which is something I don't think the psychologists pushing this realignment have conceived of, or would endorse.
I have a son who would have joined too. The problem with the 30 year old marrying the 13 year old scenario is that the 13 doesn't see the problems until she is 20 and then the ick factor kicks in big time.
I really need to write this out. I think he does have a point but overall we are not raising our children to undertake the kind of responisibities he is suggesting we give them. As a mid-shipman at 12 Nelson was responsible for men but I don't know any 12 year olds I would take orders from today.
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