Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a very free range parent, and don't see being groped in a crowd as some horrible tragic event that will traumatize a girl for life, but I also can't see myself allowing it until 14.

So you'd be okay with some stranger putting his hands on your 14 year old because he's sexually turned on by her and feels he has the right to violate her personal space for just a few seconds???

No, sorry if I wasn't clear. I'd be cool with letting her go to a concert, because you can't protect them forever. I am not "okay" with public groping, but I also hope that the kid I raised is resilient enough that when something like that happens to her, she won't be traumatized by it.

You hope?? You may not be able to protect your child forever, but you can certainly take parental precaution to protect a 12 year old.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a very free range parent, and don't see being groped in a crowd as some horrible tragic event that will traumatize a girl for life, but I also can't see myself allowing it until 14.

So you'd be okay with some stranger putting his hands on your 14 year old because he's sexually turned on by her and feels he has the right to violate her personal space for just a few seconds???

No, sorry if I wasn't clear. I'd be cool with letting her go to a concert, because you can't protect them forever. I am not "okay" with public groping, but I also hope that the kid I raised is resilient enough that when something like that happens to her, she won't be traumatized by it.

I guess OP has made up her mind to say no, but can I just say I went to concerts alone with my friends in middle school and it was awesome and so much fun! Still some of my best memories. Depeche Mode, the Cure, even Nine Inch Nails. I guess we may have been eighth grade, not seventh, but not sure. Could definitely have been seventh. The group was bigger than 2 people -- I guess that helped? Anyway, point being, we were fine, stayed away from weirdos, and had a blast. Don't deprive your kids of these kinda of independent experiences with their friends.

No way. And what is "the pit"? Is that like a mosh pit from the '90s?

No, "the pit" does not = "mosh pit."

Originally, "the pit" was the area between the barricade and the front of the stage, which was open only to roadies, bouncers, and press photographers. Everything on the audience side of the barricade was reserved seating, since "open floor" was pretty much nationally banned after the Who disaster in Cincinnati in 1979.

In recent years, "open floor" has been making a comeback. But to control crowd flow and prevent crushing stampedes to the front, they have two barricades--the first one in front of the stage as always, and a second one about a third of the way back on the floor. That area between the two barricades is now the best stage-side standing room, and is called "the pit." It's a lot bigger and more open than a real pit. It's open to the luckiest 600 or so ticket-holders, but they keep that number low enough so there's room to walk and no one gets crushed.

Anonymous wrote:OP here--thanks for all the feedback, which reinforced our own instincts.

(I didn't know it was etiquette to come back with updates to the original query, but it looks as if things get abusive if you don't.)

Well put, OP! I've noticed this weird quirk on DCUM too. I think it's just a few posters who feel angrily entitled to updates. You should see them on the threads about suspected infidelity or severe illness. It's grotesque.

No. And I'm not at all lenient, cool, or down with being lenient or cool.

Which might also explain why I like Maroon 5 just fine.

If you have to ask you know the answer!

OP here--thanks for all the feedback, which reinforced our own instincts.

(I didn't know it was etiquette to come back with updates to the original query, but it looks as if things get abusive if you don't.)

Anonymous wrote:A friend invited my daughter to come with her to the Maroon Five concert at the Verizon Center. The catch: She has just two tickets, and they're general admission to the "pit," so they'd have to go without an adult. They're seventh-graders. Seems sort of unsafe to me but I don't have a real sense of whether it's common for kids that age to attend this kind of concert on their own, or what sort of stuff goes on in the "pit"--is it just dancing and screaming or will it turn to a mosh pit situation? Any advice welcome.

Are you still confused? You need help.

12:22 here. I went to a concert a few years ago with DH in NYC. The young looking people (teens?) were with a parent. So, it's not like it's unusual for a parent to go. Say no, and hopefully your kid's friend's parent will go with her.

Anonymous wrote:No, I would not. Not because they not mature, but because there will be tons of 20-30 y.o. Guys, either drunk or high. I don't think any 12 y.o. Girl is prepared how to handle certain confrontations with those guys.

Probably the only guys who will be at the concert of such a shitty band are predators.

Anonymous wrote:No way. And what is "the pit"? Is that like a mosh pit from the '90s?

NP here. Yes, but I doubt this will form at such a wimpy concert. But the crowd will probably be very close together.

No way. And what is "the pit"? Is that like a mosh pit from the '90s?

No way. I love concerts but at 12, and in the pit in a big venue, they need a chaperone.

No, I would not. Not because they not mature, but because there will be tons of 20-30 y.o. Guys, either drunk or high. I don't think any 12 y.o. Girl is prepared how to handle certain confrontations with those guys.