Personally I enjoy debates, but hate arguments.
Debates (in an informal social scenario) to me are more about people explaining their point of view; and possibly trying to convince others to agree with them. It usually is more concerned about facts, logic, reasoning, deductions, theories, and sometimes feelings, beliefs, but is generally more intellectual then arguments. Plus it usually entails more respect for each other and their right to have that opinion. Emotional investment -while there- is kept mostly in check; so that emotions like anger, hate, bitterness, are not allowed to flourish.
Most debates I get into in my social groups, usually spring up from discussions that become slight (they key being slightly) more heated when people discover they don't really share the same opinion. It then turns into a debate which usually pulls more people into it in support of either side, or possibly neutral, or just as an observer. We then debate; which concerns logic, reasoning, etc. as said above. And at the end everyone gets up, shakes hands, makes a few jokes, and walks away still friends (usually sometimes people can get too emotionally invested or not understand the difference between a debate and argument; in which case me and my friends usually explain and try to calm people down) and having had a good time with a lively discussion; and possibly with a changed opinion, better logic to defend it with, or questions to contemplate, and research in your own time in the hope of becoming better able to defend your point of view or have a point of view on the subject manner. Basically a debate is just a lively discussion when there are opposing views, but nothing more than that.
Quite often I find myself as a neutral party sort of like a unofficial judge/referee/moderator (there is usually a few of these in any group discussion) who can see both points of view and tries to make sure that no-one gets offended or hurt; and will make points that support or degrade either arguments; when they see that either side isn't conveying a particular point well enough and/or haven't thought of something that can support them and/or if their logic is flawed in the "moderators" opinion. But just because I fall into that category a lot doesn't mean I don't become one of the main debaters ever. I do occasionally and I still enjoy it. Its not about winning to me (although it is fun to make a very good point and/or to point out a fallacy within another person argument); necessarily its more about growing, and opening yourself to new ideas and empathising with those that have then, and if not changing your view, at least learning to defend it with better logic, while still respecting and empathising with others who have opposing opinion's.
Anyway's back to argument...
While arguments are usually more emotional investment and are spoken out of a place of anger, bitterness, disappoint, sadness, hatred, contempt, etc. and are less concerned with reasoning, logic, etc. and have little to no respect for each other's feeling and each other's rights to an opinion. Usually people leave feeling bad and with ill will directed at each other. These can ruin relationships and are just plain... bad.
Tl;DR: Arguments and debates are different. I think debates are good, and arguments are bad. I like debates, but dislike arguments.
...Anyway's that was a huge tangent/rant that is more relevant to the previous page than this one. Feel free to ignore this >.>
Also that needs to be a new word tangent/rant....trangent. It happens a lot; not just with me. >.>
Edit: Anyway's back to the daughter thing. I think opening her up to an environment with new ideas and people; who are generally supportive and kind; even while we make sarcastic, insane, and dark jokes about each other; could be a good idea. I'm a total supporter of balance parenting, but I think parent's are too inclined to shelter children rather then allow them develop by encountering diversity and adversity and in so doing grow. But that being said being an angsty 13 year old girl already has a bit to much of that so maybe wait.... like 3 years?
