Comments Janyce Elderton, 42, mother of two teenage boys
I am really tired of all this criticism of Abby’s parents. Abby is a very mature 16-year-old, much more than most teens whose only pastime is texting and more texting. It is not her age that is important, but how prepared she was for this. She seemed to be very well prepared. Her brother did the same thing last year. No one had any problem with that. So is it all about her age or her sex? Does Janyce Elderton support Abby’s voyage?
Yes
No
I am the father of a teenage girl, Dana, who is 17 now. There is no way I would have let Dana undertake such a voyage. She is just too young and inexperienced. And what is the point of being the youngest person to sail around the world? Why can’t this happen when she is 20 or 25? It would still be a great achievement. This whole thing just doesn’t make sense to me.
GLOSSARY undertake: verb begin something, such as a journey or project unforgiving: adj does not pardon errors
Does Don Miller think Abby’s voyage was a good idea?
Yes
No
Madison Steiner, 15
My parents are sailors and my brothers and I have been on sailboats since we were very young. I know how to manage almost everything on a boat. This summer I hope to master the last things that I still don’t know. BUT I would never, ever, undertake a voyage like Abby did. The oceans are unforgiving and you need to have lots of experience to get through all the possible problems. I think Abby’s parents are not responsible. Is Madison Steiner for or against the decision to let Abby make this trip?
For
Against
C After You Read Reread the comments people made about Abby’s trip and add your own. Indicate clearly if you agree or disagree with the parents’ decision to let Abby go on this voyage alone and why.
TALK ABOUT IT
C1
Find someone who has the opposite opinion. Read your comments to each other and decide who has the best argument. Take a poll to find out the class opinion.
16
TALK BOX Starters Responses It bugs/bothers/annoys me so much when … Why do you say that? I don’t understand why people … That’s a really good point. They should have … I never thought of it that way.
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Don Miller, 45, father of a teenage girl