Haiti Earthquake?

[boomersooner]

Just wondering what you all thought about this....my son is in the 8th grade, and one of his basketball teammates has gone with his dad to Haiti. I don't know what his dad does or exactly what he is going to help with down there....my question is this....would you take your 14 year old son with you? Although I think it would be an experience he would never ever forget and will probably go far in shaping his life as far as the humanitarian aspect, I would be so worried about the violence and the disease that is running rampant down there right now. I would also worry if he was mature enough to see all he will see, coming from a sheltered life most American boys lead. Just wondering what you guys thought.

[RICHARD]

Just wondering what you guys thought.

I say go. Seen some poverty when I was a kid that I never -orgot.

You really never look at things the same or balk about living under the 'line' ever again.

[boomersooner]

yes, that is definitely the positive about taking him....I guess I'm just such a chicken...

[pomtzu]

I really don't think the boy should be there.

Unless you are a professional and are there to give aid and assistance, then you have no business being there. There are enough people there now adding to the confusion, without sending a 14 year old into the middle of it.

Does he have the maturity to handle what he is going to encounter?

How long is he going to be there? The food, water, shelter, that he will require, could be put to better use by giving it to a victim of the earthquake.

Who is going to guarantee his safety and health? With conditions deteriorating with increased violence, and the disease that can't help but be on the rise with the thousands of bodies still not recovered, I don't see that this is a safe and secure place for an adult, let alone a teenager.

IMO - bad decision.

[boomersooner]

Pomtzu....those were my feelings, too....My son is 14, and I wouldn't want him there. Seeing the way impoverished people live is one thing, and I think it would give a young person a new perspective...but to take them into a situation like this is too much, besides the fact they are just one more person to have to look after. You said it perfectly.

[RICHARD]

The U.S. Army has a little trick they use in time of war called "force multiplication". The sent teams of Green Berets to go into areas where they make contact with the locals and train them to fight along side them.

So, under the right conditions a group of six men can train and equip a group to assist them in a time of war. If we use the same idea, how could that hurt the situation?


Now, i- this kid can get out there and assist these people, he can help and teach the people affected to trust him and help themselves. He's doing a job that many kids would not do. Plus, his participation at a job behind the scenes frees someone to do the 'dirty' work.

Is he being forced to go? I suspect that he may have volunteered for the job.

There is never an age to learn how to help others.

I am sure that the father would never put his kid into any danger, maybe they will put him into a position where he would not have to venture out into the front lines. I am sure he would never send his kid out by himself to hand out supplies or -ood.

There's plenty of work to be done at the aid centers. Unloading boxes, packing supplies? Working in a food kitchen? Packing meals? cooking?

There are TONS OF THINGS that do not demand '-ront' line participation.
Every rescuer, doc, nurse and aid person stands on the shoulders of the little people that are packing supplies here in the states, flies them down, unloads and coordinates the distribution.....

So, I do see your point about a young kid going down to help, but how many people will go and come back with out any problems?

I'd think that -f there was a problem with adults participating, they would be the -irst people pulled out.

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I hope we get to hear about what this kid thinks about his trip when he comes back. IT would be very interesting.

JTOL.

[pomtzu]

Good point Richard, but until I hear the complete story regarding why he went and what he did while he was there, then I'll refrain from further judgment.

However, there's still plenty that he could have done right here at home to help the cause, and he'd have to be deaf, dumb, and blind, not to see the carnage and chaos that he will most likely see. With all the t.v. coverage, I think that is more than enough to subject a young person to. He has a lifetime ahead to experience or get involved in the "dirty work" that will always be around.

He's a teenager - let him be one now, and don't make him grow up ahead of his time. He has his whole life ahead of him to witness and act upon the misery that man and nature will surely continue to dish out.