My son has been invited on the trip of a lifetime with his karate class to go to Japan next year for competitions, training and an educational trip. Its something i could never afford and he really wants to go but I am obviously worried at the prospect of letting him go, albeit with responible adults. What do you think?
2007-12-09 03:31:06 · 29 answers · asked by ? 7 in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ Japan
Thank you all for such sensible and encouraging answers. I wish I could give you all best answer!
2007-12-10 01:04:11 · update #1
You should let him go, Japan is one of the safest places in the world with an extremely low crime rate. They are a very polite people, and parents in japan let their children go out all the time, since hes going with his team I wouldn't even worry about him being kidnapped or injured. let him go he will have a very fun time!
2007-12-09 07:33:31 · answer #1 · answered by DandiPoppy 1 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I would let your 11 year old son go to Japan. Japan is a wonderful place. Besides, this is a TRIP OF A LIFETIME. It might never happen again. 11 year olds are mature enough to be with responsible adults that are not parents. As long as he behaves good, you should let him go and expirience Japan. Your son will probaly also improve jramaticly when he does Karate in Japan because senseis there will teach him well. He can also make relations with the people who he competes against. Again, this is a trip of a lifetime so you should let him go.
However, if you cannot afford the trip, you shouldn't let him go. He is still a 11 year old so when he becomes an adult, he can probaly afford a trip to Japan. Explain to your child the bad sides of going to Japan. He might be bored, homesick, or confused when he is in Japan. Explain how the trip to Japan on airplane will be l~o~n~g and tedious. Explain how he could get injuries during a competition or he can even be kidnapped be North Koreans who hold Japanese people as hostages.
Overall, I think you should let your son go to Japan. It is a trip of a lifetime.
2007-12-09 11:50:01 · answer #2 · answered by LordWafflesロードワッフル 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Yes. He would be exposed to a new culture, learn a respect for new things, and experience a great adventure. It will be fine because he is with a school group. 11 is a good age to travel, he's only 2 years away from being a teenager. He should start learning to become more independent and taking responsibility for himself. There are so many teenagers today that can't handle responsibility or taking care of themselves because their parents didn't start training them to do so when it was time for that lesson.
It will be fine, just go over emergency numbers, important things he must do/not do while abroad, and express/talk over any other concerns.
2007-12-09 18:32:08 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
If he was traveling alone, maybe not, but traveling on an educational trip with a class with responsible supervision. I don't see a problem with that. Odds are he might not be able to visit another far away country in a long while, so it might be worth for the life experience.
2007-12-09 12:16:50 · answer #4 · answered by ? 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Your worry is understandable but your son also has to step out in the world. Eleven is also the kind of age where a bit more freedom is appropriate. Like you say he will be supervised.
If he goes he will remember it for a lifetime. I went to America as an eleven year old and flew alone with my ten year old friend but were escorted by airport staff at both ends. I'm sure he is adult enough to cope with it all.
2007-12-09 03:43:45 · answer #5 · answered by 203 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
For a lot of people this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I'd let him go. Maybe it'll even spark his interest in other things like the culture or traveling.
Japan is actually one of the safest places for children. You know parents let their 6 year olds take the train to school by themselves or with friends, because they know no one is going to mess with them.
I went to Africa when I was 16 or 17. I know I was older than your son but it was a trip for college students. I loved it. I probably never would have had the chance otherwise.
I remember the phone call to my mom from school "Hi, Mom, Can I go to Africa? -- Do I have to pay? -- No. -- Ok" :)
2007-12-09 03:38:53 · answer #6 · answered by anw122 5 · 8⤊ 1⤋
Japan is one of the safest countries in the world.
Also, Japanese take great responcibility for their guests.
There isn't a better place to go for a 11 years old that Japan
2007-12-09 14:26:38 · answer #7 · answered by Princess Kushinada 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
OK I'm 15, but i have been abroad a few times with my school. It was a life time experience and i loved every second of it. I'm sure your son will to. It's good to learn about different cultures at such a young age.
Imagine the opportunity he's being offered. I say let him go, as long as you trust who he is going with. Good luck =]
2007-12-09 03:38:46 · answer #8 · answered by desybme 2 · 7⤊ 1⤋
You must let him go and trust these responsible people you mention.Its a wonderful opportunity to visit the home of Karate.Imagine the way he will feel if he is the only one left at home when the other children return. Let him go.Imagine what it will do for his confidence,education and of course Karate.
2007-12-09 03:49:26 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
I'll first consider all the pross and cons whether the child is smart enough to travel alone and look after himself. When his whole class is going, it'd be improper for u to stop him unless he himself doesn't want. In any case his instructor w'd be responsible for his safety.
2007-12-09 21:38:16 · answer #10 · answered by sandeep m 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋