Weyrbrats Growing Up...

[Estelle]

Hi!

I have a young NPC weyrbrat who will be turning 12 in the near future, and had a few questions about what happens on a Pernese person's 12th birthday.

I know that they would then be old enough to be a Candidate, or an apprentice (or both). Would they be able to start doing that on the birthday, or would they usually wait for a "term" of harper classes to finish, like we would in school? I seem to remember there was a graduation post a while back... Similarly, would they move out of their (foster) parent's care that day, or later on?

Would they be considered an adult at that age, able to make their own decisions - such to move to a different place altogether? Or would the parents still have authority over them?

Any help is much appreciated!

[Eimi]

I think that there is a graduation ceremony at the start of the Turn for those turning 12 that Turn.  After that they would either apprentice or be on chore duty until their 12th birthday.  From 12 they can become a Candidate.  I don't think there would be a cut off for a child to leave their foster parents.  They are often just as much, if not more, of their parental figure than their biological parents. 

Basically, I think that adolescence on Pern would be a much more murky area than it is today.  At 12 they would still be under their family's protection and guidance, but would be expected to start contributing to the family and/or community in some way, be that a craft, Candidacy, or another career path.  True independence wouldn't happen until they were emotionally and financially ready for it.  I don't think a 12 Turn old, even in the Weyr, could walk up to the Headwoman one day and say "I want my own place" or could just disappear without someone going to get them and bring them back. If they really didn't get along with their foster family (for many of them, their one true family) they might move to the Candidate barracks, or to another family, but I don't think at 12 they would be on their own at all.

My opinion 

[Paula]

Pretty sure they still considered minors and under parental supervision (either biological or foster) until they are 15 or 18... Do we have any official guide line when person is considered legally adult at Pern? They can marry at age 15, but I think at least in Blood families, you're forced to obey your parent (mostly father) until you're 18. (Or older, if your father is Lord Holder). It's bit fuzzy. From past posts, I vaguedly remember that you had to had turned 12 before you can become apprentice, in other words, after your birthday. Corowal started to negotiate about his son's apprenticeship little before his 12th birthday...I need to dig out that post.

Okay, it was after Ofewal had turned 12.
http://www.triadweyrs.org/story.php?st_id=10723

[Estelle]

Okay - thanks!

So, just to check, if I have a character who's in harper classes, he shouldn't have his 12th birthday until the following Turn? (I'm getting his age adjusted and want to make sure I get it right!)

It does seem a little hard on the poor weyrbrats who have their birthday in month 13. To have almost a Turn of chores (if they stop classes at the beginning of the Turn, just after their 11th birthday, but can't be an apprentice or a candidate until they're 12). Could there possibly be more than one graduation date in a Turn? Or maybe some of them would carry on attending classes even after graduation if they're the academic type?

It would be good to know if there's a legal age of adulthood too. And, if they want to do something (like move to a different location) and the parents don't agree, could they appeal to someone of rank to overrule them? Even if most of the time that ruling would go with the parents?