In reply to JayPee630:
I have registered today solely to offer my perspective on some of the points made. Let me introduce myself, I am the parent of a child who climbs (a lot), I am not fat and I don't climb (much) and I'm sure my views will be welcomed, given the inclusive and diverse sport I keep getting told climbing is. So here we go.
Adults don't have a monopoly on drive and passion, a child is more than capable of having both. A child can love climbing, a child can have the drive to push themselves in this sport just like any other physical activity.
The above being the case, making even qualified comment about 'pushy parents', 'hot housing' and 'tearful and frightened children' in a thread where specific children are referenced can be seen as judging those specific children, their parents, the child's relationship with their parents and their parenting. I'd hope this is not the intention but reading the thread it seems that for a minority railing against 'the state of climbing nowadays' is more important than having any consideration for the families referred to.
Debating risk, commercialism, parenting as it relates to climbing, competency and age of responsibility is fair game on a climbing forum in my view but it should be made clear that those involved in these particular news reports aren't contributing to a problem.
I'm not sure how many of you actually know any of the children referenced, I just know the one, his name is Jack. He is up there with the most fun-loving, creative, caring, smart and funny boys I've had the pleasure to know. He is also a climber, he loves to climb (a lot) and he loves climbing (a lot) and everything about it.
He's not motivated by sponsorship, he's not pushed by his parents. He leads on his climbing and his parents support him in pursuing his passion, as safely as correct practice of the sport allows, like good parents should. That as a family they are united in a shared passion is great. This is not the case in my family and frankly I'm envious of the logistical simplicity and time together that that unity affords them.
As far as climbing and publicity goes, Jack's ticking this particular route and sending his first 8a, at his age, is newsworthy. Whether his Dad chooses to focus on that or not, it is an achievement. I was pleased for Jack and it's right that he should receive recognition; the smile on his face in the article says it all (if you know Jack).
That age should not be a factor in measuring achievement in climbing is pretty skewed thinking - it is considered as such in every field if human endeavour I can think of.
For those if you who don't know, Jack's favourite climber (currently) is Alex Megos (I know this because I know Jack, you see). When Megos racks up several hard routes in as many days around the UK that is considered newsworthy too. Ultimately, both are newsworthy because of the time factor, Jack because of his years on the planet when he got Raindogs and Megos because of his 'send to time spent' ratio during his visit.
Ultimately, Jack and Alex are both climbers doing what climbers do. That's the way Jack sees it I'm sure, and why shouldn't he - climbing is for everybody, right? Jack is inspired by Megos and why shouldn't another climber, of any age, be inspired by Jack? And, how could they be without knowing about him?
Climbing is climbing. How many of you are motivated by having new experiences? By pushing your grade? By climbing harder? By training hard to achieve your goals? By solving the problem? By working in partnership to do so? By understanding risk and doing what you need to do routinely to minimise that risk? By feeling the fear and doing it anyway? By learning to manage frustration? By trusting? By giving and receiving advice and encouragement? By knowing yourself and others better? By having fun? By socialising with like minded people? By being acknowledged for what you achieve?
Given the fact that most of you are motivated to climb by several or all of the above, why would anybody advocate denying a child the same on the basis that they are a child when that's what they enjoy?
Post edited at 17:05