Re: [RC] Very young riders in AERC rides - Mike & Kathy Kelly
> So, to be on the safe side, should we set the minimum age at 21 and do
away
> with the Junior program altogether? Seems the only politically correct
thing
> to do. :o)
> Scott
Of course not, and I'm not talking about political correctness, I'm talking
about ethics.
I'm just doing a basic ethical analysis.
1) is the individual (in this case child)capable of "informed consent"
(understanding what he/she is consenting to and the risks involved).
2) if not, the parent is assumed to be competent of making this decision
for the child. This happens with AERC when the parent signs the waiver for
the child. We already acknowledge that the child isn't fully capable of
informed consent when we require others to sign a waiver/release.
3) In certain situations do other authorities get involved in rule making
for the protection of the child?
This is the issue at hand. One side says that regardless of age or other
circumstances, parents always have 100% responsibility for making decisions
regarding their children.
The other side says that at some minimum age, the risks involved for the
child and his/her lack of ability to fully comprehend them override the
risks of taking this freedom away.
As the child ages, his/her ability to participate in "informed consent"
increase. Even tho a 12 yo still has to have a parent sign a waiver, I
haven't heard anyone suggest that a 12 yo shouldn't be riding endurance.
Probably the risk of injury decreases with age (to a certain average age
where the risk of injury starts to increase again).
Kathy
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