Should underage kids be allowed on the racecourse?

For many reasons I say NO.

Yes they should because it makes for a fine day out for the family. While Dad goes about his business Mom and the kids get to jump on the slides, have lunch and watch the horsies. It works a treat and they dont get in the way as they dont come near the betting rings. It adds on thousands to the turn out especially on a Sunday. Also it avoids any arguments between the parents..ie no nagging by the missus re "you off to the bladdy horses again". "dont you dare come home with no money" That type of pressure a man can do without. So if they all come along and you still lose then there will be no recriminations as by going with you she has no argument and no leg to stand on if you lose.

Nope I think in lite of the horsie incedent over the week end etc Tracks are not the place for kidz.

But i guess horses for courses so what ever the parent is happy with but cant complain if they hear or see things that could warp little minds.

I agree with Oscar... they shouldn't be allowed in Pubs, Gambling rooms and also the race tracks.
In the olden days they weren't even allowed in a Bottle store.

I've listened on 702 thee other noght a discussion on the change of the law regarding kids been given condoms from the age of 12 by the government.
They just telling the kids.... it's OK you can have sex from the age of 12.
There is no more child protection divisions... so let the kid protect himself...

Some would argue that if the kids see this gambling going on.. they learn from a young age that you can gamble with what you can afford to lose.

Kids minds are very vulnerable between 6 years and 10 years old..what they see and take in at that age can and does effect them for life

Seeing your dad blow your school fees in an afternoon..how does that effect their perceptions of hard earned money later in life

Veiwing an incident of a horse getting shot..how does that effect them

The screaming by adults during a race for a horse to win and then the verbal abuse when it gets beat..how does that effect them

I have a problem with kids being directly exposed to the above..have any studies been done on this..if not then why allow it

Is it allowed in other countries

I think it would be crazy to ban children from the course. We got away with it in the old days, but there are many new ways now for kids to keep themselves entertained and racing needs to attract new blood. It depends on what you define as "under age" I suppose, but I think it should be left to the parents to decide what's best for their offspring.

I was fortunate enough to grow up in Zimbabwe, where there were no restrictions, and started going to the races perfectly legally when I was 13. Had I been forced to wait until I was 16 or 18, as would have been the case in SA in those days, I might have acquired an interest in something else. I know of plenty of other ex-Rhodies who fall into the same category.

I don't know for sure, but I have little doubt in my own mind that kids are allowed onto racecourses in most countries, if not all countries (especially in the "West").

Didn`t know that Gambling or Drinking went on when i was a youngster at the races,suppose it`s how your parents protect you when there..
A country the size of South Africa should have overflowing stands every weekend and not just occasionally.Don`t have a problem with kids at the races,they just have to be protected when at a vulnerable age.

When this generation or generations of racing people become extinct,then what?

We need the transfusion..

I say yes in fact the best days racing I have had were at the family fun days at Randjies

ps what happened to them?

There is one clinical trial I have found so far done in Southern Australia on this subject which shows that early exposure to gambling has severe impact on kids attitudes to budgetting, saving etc later in life.

1: UK race courses are surviving mainly because they are of full of families on a day out for the racing and the concert afterwards
2: 2 kids born into the same family brought up the same way can result in one being a lawyer and the other a mass murderer there is no formula for determining if someone is going to save or not in the future.
3: Austrailia was once a prison now they doing clinical trials
4: if SA racing does not follow te lead of the UK and make racing "entertainment" then it will fail quicker than its failing now
5: Oscar do you shout and swear? If so then stop there might be kids around.
6: of course the blowing of the school fees or the horse getting shot are not something kids or any person should witness nor accept however i am confident many school fees are not being paid cause while daddy is at work he is actually at monte casino
7: the future are our children, let them lead the way
8: anything in moderation is OK, even heroin. Its when it becomes abused that the wheels fall off. here is a list of a few things that kill/ruin families on a daily basis that no one is calling a ban for or dishing out fines for not complying:
8:1 Alchohol
8:2 Pasta
8:3 Bread
8:4 Coca Cola
8:5 No Seat Belts
8:6 No Child Seats
8:7 Gambling
8:8 Cake
8:9 Excersise
8:10 TV Games

Easy 'heroin in moderation'..shows how much you know about medicine mate.

Never under estimate the ability of a child to understand or the will of a child to not follow in their parents footsteps. The reality of life is that your child will be exposed to far worse than a race meeting at school or at home in your living room through television or your computer.

You as a parent can only offer so much protection, the rest lies in your ability to instill high moral values in your child.