MELDA:
https://darwinawards.com/rules/rules4.htmlThe candidate must be capable of sound judgment.
Humans are generally capable of sound judgment--except those with mental handicaps that render them unable to fully comprehend the ramifications of their actions. A vociferous majority argues that CHILDREN also fit into this category, citing the vast gulf between ignorance and stupidity.
An equally clamorous minority contends that children are the BEST candidates for a rusty chromosome award(1) since they obviously have not reproduced. NUMEROUS children have stated that restricting children from vying for this laudable award is another encroachment on their civil liberties.
I appreciate that parents are responsible for raising their offspring and teaching them to make responsible decisions. Therefore children under sixteen are not eligible to win a Darwin Award(2). However, a few have been included as cautionary nominees when their actions can be considered foolhardy by even their young peers.
FOOTNOTES:
#1) "Arbitrary rules applied to natural selection? Perhaps you missed the point of Darwin altogether." -Jim S.
#2) If the child cannot win the award because the parent's judgement was paramount, perhaps it is the parent who should win an award for his or her careless caretaking.