Ridecamp: Re: [RC] [RC] Very young riders in AERC rides

But this is really an ethical issue, more so than a medical one.  A 5 yo
isn't old enough to make his/her own fully informed/aware decisions (in
other words, a 5yo isn't fully responsible for him/herself).  So others
(usually the parents) make decisions for them.  The 5 yo can't understand
the potential dangers involved with endurance rides and therefore can't
consent to accept those risks.

If parents decided to take their 5yo children on 100 mile rides just as
family outings, most likely no one complains as long as all goes well.

But when other groups or individuals become involved, they also get involved
in the responsibility issue.

An organization such as AERC assumes certain responsibilities for the rides
it sponsors.  Rules are the way that AERC balances the responsibility it
assumes with the risk involved with taking on such responsibilities.

Kathy Kelly


----- Original Message -----
From: "Nancy Mitts" <mitts_n@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, October 23, 2002 7:35 PM
Subject: Re: [RC] [RC] Very young riders in AERC rides


> >Lets look at it from a rational and theoretical point of view.
> >   Karen Sullivan  West region
>
> Well, from a "rational & theoretical" point of view we wouldn't let anyone
> do it! Something about being rational & riding 100 miles just doesn't
> compute. <BG> (Just finished my 17th last weekend, so I know what
irrational
> is.)
> On a more serious note, accidental injuries are no more (or less) horrible
> at age 5, than 10, or 15 or 50. Lets hear some medical facts from medical
> professionals about the dangers particular to a growing young child.
That's
> the criteria we need to go by. If damage to growing bodies is the issue,
> couldn't it be a factor thru the teen years as well?
>
> Nancy Mitts
>
>
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=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
 Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
 Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
 Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp

 If you are an AERC member - PLEASE VOTE in the upcoming By-Laws 
 Election!!!! (it takes 2/3rds to tango!!)

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=