Not SA related per say, but just a reminder of how naive teens can be. And this is a 16 year old. Imagine if he was 12-13.

Full story
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/30/AR2005123000109.html

Fla. Boy Coming Home After Iraq Adventure

By JASON STRAZIUSO
The Associated Press
Friday, December 30, 2005; 3:28 PM

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- A 16-year-old from Florida who traveled to Iraq on his own without telling his parents was put on a flight home Friday, the U.S. Embassy said, while warning Americans of the dangers of undertaking similar journeys. Farris Hassan, of Fort Lauderdale, had been under the care of the U.S. Embassy after being on his own in Iraq for several days.

I wish I had seen this post earlier, though over the holidays I did see the story - think it made all the international wire services!

It's a good point being made here - a 16-year-old may be mature in some ways and not in others. Wouldn't that be confirmed from our own lives? It's something we need to bear in mind when teens come here. The older ones can also be very vulnerable and as much in need of support and validation as the really young kids.

My heart goes out to them all.

Larry