Click HERE! for details.

 

This case raises the issue of the intervention, or interference of the "Nanny State" or the "Benign overseeing state" into the area of Guardianship. It throws up a question of "Best interest of the Child" and who does know best. The old Stereotype of "Mother knows best" and "Wait 'til your father gets home" is'nt clear here. It appears that the child resides with the father who is divorced from the mother. Should the "Social Services" be the dominant deciding factor? What equips Social Services in determining this uniquely complex case. Aftet all, who in their right mind, adult or child, would wan't to sail alone around the world..... and how narrowminded of me, who knows nothing about sailing or such mighty adventures to query such a mind.  I don't know much about the skill sets of the Dutch Social Services, but imagine presenting that issue to the Irish equivalent !

 

In an ideal world a child's best interest would be determined by their own biological parents and guardians, acting together (married, single or separated, supported by a "shared parenting focussed" statutory Social Services system whose involvement would be 1) informed (and that fact being evidenced based), 2) Fundamentally respectful of the family and it's circumstances, 3) publicly accountable with traceable reporting structures