Daughter travelling abroad/Terrorism threat

[arlette]

My 17 year old daughter is going on a couple of college trips, Europe and New York. Given all the truly horrendous and random acts of terrorism, AIBU to be reluctant to let her go? I am trying to be rational and keep a lid on it!

[cariadlet]

YANBU unreasonable to worry - it's part and parcel of being a parent to worry.
But you need to remind yourself that your worries are unfounded. Terrorist attacks can happen anywhere including the UK (I was a kid in the 70s and teenager in the 80s and can remember the IRA bombings on the UK mainland. Since then we've had a few attacks in the UK from Islamic extremists). There are some countries that are clearly unsafe at the moment (eg Syria), but generally going abroad is no riskier than staying at home.

And of course you are more likely to die in a traffic accident (or many other causes of sudden death) than you are to be a victim of terrorism.

[arlette]

Thanks, haveabreakhaveakitkat I wouldn't not let her go, but you know how it is. Thanks for that anyway. Sometimes you just need to have your own thoughts confirmed by others.

[haveabreakhaveakitkat]

Of course YANBU to worry. YABU if you don't let her go. She's 17 and practically an adult and you must let her travel and enjoy life. I'm sure you've brought her up well and have given her the life lessons she needs to keep safe.

[arlette]

3littlefrogs Yes this is what I think if I put aside the fears. And I guess we have to keep it in perspective - anything can happen anywhere anytime, as you say, Lweji , and by turning opportunities down, life slowly passes you by. Thankfully no worries about Booze, VD or suchlike, she is not interested in booze or boys. Yet. PushAPushPop Yes it's a college trip but I'm not sure that makes it any safer as these acts are so completely random.
Thanks for your thoughts.

[Tiptops]

YABU.

She's still more likely to be hit by a bus at home than killed in a terrorist attack.

[3littlefrogs]

I know exactly how you feel. I think all you can do is a reasonable risk assessment and let them live their lives TBH.
My Dc have traveled all over the world. They have been in some risky, even terrifying situations, but you can't make them stay at home for ever. But they have had some brilliant times, done some great work and learned /improved their foreign language skills.

Being a parent is hard.

[PushAPushPop]

I would be reluctant if my DD (16) was going at this moment, BUT it depends on who she was going with, i.e. School/ college etc there is some element of safeguarding.
However, a gap year type thing? Maybe not...

Of course you will worry, she's your daughter.

[GinUpGirl]

YABU. She'll be fine.

[Lweji]

I'd worry more about her getting wasted and getting a VD on those trips.

[Lweji]

You assume she is safer in the UK, then?