Both my son and daughter ride bikes. I dont have a problem with that, they have been hanging around bikes since they were kids, both could ride before they were in they're teens.They have seen a few of my friends(and thereby they'res) funerals after smashes, and it taught them respect for safety.They both drive cars too, and they show good attitude to bikers while driving them.Do I worry ? ya! same as i worry when they ..swim,or go boozin'. My view is
" Let the Freebirds Fly"...............and anyway, my wife worries enough for the both of us.

To be honest I never wanted my boys on motorcycles. (that's me, the hypocrite) I know what I did when I was their age, to this day it amazes me I survived at all. Add to that the fact that they were raised at the drag strip, so all I can ask that they be careful and (hopefully) they'll not do the things I did.

My 22 YO son just got a sport bike - GSX-R 1000. Got to admit it is a pretty cool looking motorcycle.

He has always been a pretty responsible kid, and hopefully will continue to be on his now toy. But I know at 22 if I had that bike I would be tempted to use that power on occasion!

Part of the problem besides inexperience, is that there are motorcycle dealers who will sell high powered sport bikes to anyone regardless of whether they are experienced or even have a motorcycle license. A friend told me that while working for a dealer he saw two crash before they even left the parking lot. Another dealer sold a high performance sport bike to a young man and didn't bother to tell him that the new tires are slick and need a a couple of hundred miles to break in. This young man raced up the highway and then a car crossed in front of him, he hit the brakes, but slid directly into the car killing him

I agree with the above posters,I cut my teeth on bikes riding in the dirt,started out when I was 9 yr old,fortunate enuff to be raised in an area where we had access to excellent dirt trails,if it were not for my experience riding dirt bikes I would have never considered riding street bikes..yet after taking a few hard spills,n learning to handle the bike thru cruddy conditions,it certainly made my skills increase & improved my confidence.
Street riding seemed almost too easy,till I had a few close encounters with Ahole drivers.Then the fear factor kicked in,learned I am very vulnerable out in traffic,and rode accordingly..

stay safe n enjoy the ride !!!

As the son of lifetime Harley rider, my father never let me get my own bike. We rode dirt bikes all the time, my first was a YZ80...I still remember the first time that powerband hit lol. Keeping me away from the Harley and street riding he really only succeeded in peaking my interest in it. After spending some time abroad in the Navy I decided to take a BRC, in WA state. I learned so much! My dirt bike knowledge helped me out alot but i walked away from the 3 day class, with not only more knowledge but also the confidence I will need should i encounter an emergency. Im sure if I would have taken a class similar to this one my dad would of let me ride....shoot take the class with them, there were lots of couples and parents in the class.

OMG, I saw a kid TODAY, and I tell ya, I wanted to jerk him off his bike, and ask him "WTF DUDE, ARE YOU ON A SUICIDE MISSION???" All the cage drivers were getting out of HIS way, I "kid" you not. I crossed myself, and said a hurried prayer for him, cause I'll tell ya, the way he was ridin'? The only place he'll be seen, is on the six o'clock news!!! Pray for them all, ya'll! And you older, bigger riders? Giving one the "knock it off" LOOK...sometimes helps!

Here in Florida, it is now MANDATORY to get your motorcycle endoursement to take the MSC.  (Motocycle Safety Course).  They have three levels so that even a seasoned rider can upgrade his skills.  Unfortunately, like someone else (REX, I think) said, these kids think they're bullet-proof. 
When I took the course, (of my own accord), over 20 years ago, I'll never forget the first thing the instructor said.  "There are two kinds of riders...Those that's been down, and those that are going down"!  It scared the beejeepers out of me, and gave me a healthy respect for riding.  *And by the way, he was absolutely right. 

Ride Free  
Tweek

Thing about it is...... At one time or another we were ALL young inexperienced riders (of course for me that was so long ago our wheels were made out of round rocks !!!). I too started out on dirt bikes and worked my up. THANKFULLY we didn't have Crotch Rockets that we could do 80 MPH wheelies down Interstate 5 at the time !! My son, who is grown and has a family is wanting to get a bike. My advise to him....... Start off small, take the riders course and learn to ride SAFE.

I rode thirty plus years illegally, just never went in for a license. Then I took the MSF course, 'cause I insisted my boys learn to ride safely. Wow! Even an old dog can learn some things from that course. Finally got my license so the boys would stop nagging me about being illegal. :-) Young riders on sport bikes without any gear scare me. At this point all the boys still wear helmets, gloves and some type of armor/jacket when they ride. I've spilled a few times and appreciate what protective gear can do for a person.