All right here is another perspective. My wise, but uneducated father began to learn to fly when I was 13. He soloed when I was 14 and I began to bug the daylights out of him the let me begin flying. He finally talked to his instructor and owner of the local flying service about letting me start to fly. His instructor sat me down, asked me many questions and finally said if I would follow his instructions, FAA rules and never buzz or fly recklessly, he would allow me to learn to fly. I could not solo until I was 16 and Dick Smith finally got to where he would take the newspaper up with him on Sundays and read while I got in my flight time. I soloed shortly after my 16th birthday. There was a snowstorm on my birthday so I couldn't fly. I got my private license on my 17th birthday, the earliest I could possibly have gotten it.
My father never got his license because he couldn't afford for both of us to fly. His foresight in seeing in my learning to fly of a possible vocation was both admirable and appreciated. By his actions, he taught me to be thoughtful, analytical and self reliant.
I think that is exactly what the parents of Abby Sutherland had in mind by allowing her to attempt to sail solo around the world. She will surely end up a leader among her peers as she will have experiences and education far beyond most of their wildest dreams. To often, we sell our youth short or do not guide them in a manner that utilizes their abilities to the best of their capabilities. Abby Sutherland's parents, it would appear, have done that.
They should and they could take it out of the proceeds from the movie, that'll come!!