Fractelle let me explain PINK. (btw if you were being humorous again I’m going to feel so set up)

Men took all the other colours, it is all we have.

We can fight it, hate it, reject it, but the sad fact is that PINK is our colour, gay men often try and take PINK from us in many subtle ways and it just not bloody okay. Now and again a heterosexual male will think he is being all sensitive with his new pink shirt on – it should be ripped from his back by the first woman that spots the thief.

We need to reclaim PINK, be proud of PINK.

As females we cannot let anyone take PINK, we must fight for PINK, adore PINK, and hold PINK close.

Dammit it woman, get out there and buy something PINK. No it doesn't matter if the colour makes you want to vomit, that is not the point!

PP,
I agree that individuals like you see need some purpose/goals etc. THIS won't help your foster children or their reality.

Fun will wear off very quickly for this young woman.

All
The other concern I have is how some parents influence their children in pursuits for vicarious reasons. Just watch the footy dads and stage mums etc.

It's one thing to encourage a child to take up active pursuits but another thing entirely to encourage extremes. imagine if this young woman had doubts what sort of conflicts about national embarrassment, sense of failure, letting down her parents must have gone through her mind. Peer pressure can be deadly at that age ...think about it.

Let's assume she does know some of the possible consequences I would question (no more than) does she really UNDERSTAND the possible lasting less than glorious consequences.
E.g. Ask an 18 yo about the possible consequences of their hairy reaction time dependent driving (male/female) and then look at the road stats.Then ask a young risk taker, that things went wrong 20+ year down the track with its limitations/pain it's had on their lives and will continue too.
I've counseled people in this and almost all of them now say it wasn't worth it.
Risk,(not extreme) if there is a real purpose is life but first ask someone who is equipped/experienced enough to answer it...Cornflower is spot on.

Consider too the other extreme too. I seemed to remember the boy who did a similar thing told of how after being becalmed for 7 days started hallucinating. Sure she has radio and back up but they have limitations and can fail.

For her sake I hope it comes off even so it still doesn't change the facts This is in the final analysis a pointless Folly. Her energy determination could have been channeled into something more meaningful than being TEMPORARILY the youngest to s/h sail around the what ever.

Piper

ROFL

Pink is like the loser, left over colour. Like the skinniest runtiest kid selected for a team (BTW I was that kid; skinny although not runty, but crap at sport).

Besides the wearing of pink makes me look like a giant fairy - long blond hair, blue eyes - don't need the addition of pink. I am an androgyne trapped in a feminine body.

I fully comprehend what you are saying, but I just can't bring myself to do it.

Does being a fan of Pink excuse my pinkphobia?

Awaiting your sage advice on this vexing issue.

Oh funny… I was complete runt, kept getting sent home by teachers who thought I was unwell whereas it was just my natural state. Thank goodness for puberty.

Being a bit of a tomboy myself I also have an aversion to Pink (not the singer, love her) that I constantly need to fight. I do draw the line at actually wearing it although unlike yourself (you have the same features as my daughter) I am a curly haired green eyed monster, I mean brunette.

Now the secret to incorporating pink in to your life as a female over 4 years old is to do it all nonchalant like – a hot pink fruit bowl or one bright pink cushion on your couch. Subtle but sends a clear message to any visitor “Yeah that’s right I am a chick and I own that colour so you and your trouser snake can just step back”.

Jessica has embraced pink, it is more a screaming message of “take note; I am very young and very female!” I may have advised my own daughter to travel in a black boat and wear an eye patch although knowing her she would have done it without the advice.

Exam you are right, nothing will change the lives of my own fostered teens. But if for a moment it makes them say “oh wow” that will do. Mine have been known to hallucinate and I wish it was because they spent seven days in the doldrums.

Oh and I asked Hubby – he said no way, would not let her go. But he is a “No” man, you know the sort of person that says “no” before thinking. Can I play outside “no”, why? “Because I said no”, Kids have learnt to come to me at all times, I am the opposite and say “yes” so that I am not asked any more questions.

Piper

Hmmmm, hot pink fruit bowl has possibilities, but a PINK cushion? Next ,lace will suddenly make an appearance and then where will I be? Major identity crisis. People make enough assumptions based on my outward appearance as it is. Anyway, now I think of it, I do have a pink flamingo fridge magnet - it even has a thermometer in it. I find it quite hilarious.

Exam

Jessica could get hit by a Mac Truck next time she crosses the road. Life is risk. Even the tamest of us take a risk just getting out of bed each morning.

Girls have so few powerful role models, did I hear someone say Paris Hilton? You're dead meat.

Fact: we will all die, sooner or later. If Jessica succeeds with her dream, imagine all the positives and even if she never returns - she tried, dammit. We wrap up our children in cotton wool, especially girls. For the next generation I would like to see resourceful, independent people, not afraid of challenges and not fearing to question others. Keeping kids safe is really just another way to try and control them. This world is not ever going to be safe, best we teach our children how to navigate it.

Fractelle

<< For the next generation I would like to see resourceful, independent people, not afraid of challenges and not fearing to question others. >>

I totally agree with this sentiment. I'm not entirely risk averse myself and I absolutely don't believe in the super protectiveness of many parents today.

The risk being taken here though is one that sits on a rather grand scale. If Jessica does come seriously unstuck and needs to be rescued, she's likely to put other lives at risk and will most definitely incur a huge cost that someone else will have to pay.

Whether one is sixteen or sixty, this type of venture to me is a very self-centred way to prove ones resourcefulness and independence. There are lots of other ways to meet personal challenges, and while they mightn't generate the same degree of publicity and self glory, they don't by necessity place a heavy burden on others if things go wrong.