[lettergram]

There’s a reason rural folks have a higher fatality rate. That said, at least in the US, there’s the presumption that those who live more rural are more rugged, capable, and harder working.

I used to live in Chicago and SF. I’ve since moved to rural Tennessee. I can tell you everyone, including my kids, now have learned to drive our tractor. Granted I’m with them, but we had my 4-5 year old moving hay and they were helping me change oil.

I understand the concern, but everyone learns through doing. There’s definitely danger in that, and you should try to limit risk. At the same time; not teaching them is also high risk in that environment, as they’ll do it anyway with friends later.

[tormeh]

A car is not a tractor. The risks are really very different, and generally don't relate to speed.

[ImprovedSilence]

Even still, I suspect tractor deaths and injuries are far far higher per driver than for cars. Tractors are very capable, but it's also very very easy to get in a dangerous situation with them.

[watwut]

Rural superiority complex is very real. Rural people can be extremely condescending and openly feel much superior then people in the cities.

Large politics is such that insulting city people is completely acceptable, but dare you say anything about rural people.

[Symbiote]

In the UK I think this would be illegal. Children must be at least 13 to operate some limited machinery.

Still, farmers think they know better and about one child a year dies from it.

[erikerikson]

> those who live more rural are more rugged, capable, and harder working.

As someone who grew up rural and still has roots but moved to the city for work, this holds with a high probability.