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A few weeks ago there was a tragic caving accident at a local school here where a boy drowned when the outdoor adventure group entered the caves even as flood w
by beachy 3y ago
A few weeks ago there was a tragic caving accident at a local school here where a boy drowned when the outdoor adventure group entered the caves even as flood waters were rising from a storm.
I told my 10 year old son that one day his life might depend on being able to recognise danger and not follow the herd. I said that might mean you staying out of the cave even if the teacher and all the other students went in, called you names, etc.
He rightly pointed out that would be almost impossible such is the power of peer pressure. Still I hope if that day comes he remembers it.
- jacquesm 3y agoYou are right and your son is also right. As a father of sons I share your concerns and I hope that I'm able to give them the capability to withstand that peer pressure. I've been - and still am - subject to this on account of not drinking alcohol, smoking or using drugs. To the point that it becomes ridiculous ('don't be boring'). This has been a recurring thing since my teenage years and I really don't get why people feel the need to pressure others into joining them in their stupidity. Just like I don't push them to behave like I do. But it's been tough, on occasion and I can see the point that your son makes, and I hope with you that if that day comes that he will remember it. FWIW you can tell him this internet stranger agrees with his dad and that peer pressure can be overcome.
- babyshake 3y ago> A few weeks ago there was a tragic caving accident at a local school here where a boy drowned when the outdoor adventure group entered the caves even as flood waters were rising from a storm. That's awful, and if there's one thing that I learned from Thai cave rescue a few years ago (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tham_Luang_cave_rescue https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tham_Luang_cave_rescue) it's that you never want to go swimming in caves when it might start raining.
- AlbertCory 3y agoI write about the propensity of adolescents worldwide to take unreasonable risks in here: https://albertcory50.substack.com/p/how-about-not-overcoming-fear https://albertcory50.substack.com/p/how-about-not-overcoming... it isn't just Americans or even First Worlders. In some cultures they're not able to do it, but they all want to. And it's -- guess what? -- peer pressure that makes them do it. Brain scans show that they recognize the danger as well as adults do, but they're more susceptible to the peer pressure. It's ok to be afraid. No one had to go down to 12,500 feet to see the Titanic.
- tjpnz 3y agoA father at least got it, flat out refusing to send his son on that trip, he survived. https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/132006337/dad-who-stopped-son-going-on-fatal-abbey-caves-trip-asked-school-if-theyd-go-ahead-in-rain https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/132006337/dad-who-stopped-son...
- beachy 3y agoYep, a helicopter pilot used to doing real risk assessments.
- TX81Z 3y agoResisting peer pressure is a life long skill, eventually it just merges with one’s sense of ethics and duty.
- cycomanic 3y agoAre you in Whangarei? The incident at the Abbey caves was really so tragic and preventable. I still don't get what went through the teachers heads, it's to rainy to go rock climbing, so we go caving instead?!
- beachy 3y agoYep, I hope some solid information about their risk assessment process comes out.