Closing Statement

This research file has now come to an end, you have been able to see my initial thoughts, these development into ideas and then a process with gained results. I have gained a lot from this module of  Networks and Connectivity. I now completely understand how important and useful networks have become, how working together can gain success. Without my network of people answering my questions, giving me their opinions and filling out my surveys, I would have nothing. Doing this research file has also inspired me to start a new and improved personal blog, I've got really into updating this research file blog on a regular basis, so am going to translate that into my personal interest and hobbies. I will probably continue looking at this subject area of age, and try and get tickets to Vogue Festival and get and insight into the fashion industries views on age.

My Presentation

This is the powerpoint that I presented to finalise this module. To view the presentation click here. Most of my information and results was communicated verbally, but everything that was included is on this blog plus much more. I wasn't as prepared as I could have been, I managed to go over the time limit of 10 minutes by about 5 or 7 additional minutes. I also feel I had to many results in my presentation, I should have just kept the most interesting and vital pieces of information, this would have in tern reduced the length of my presentation. Next time I will definitely start my presentation much earlier (I had started just over a week before it was due in). this way I could develop my powerpoint as I do the work. This would mean it would be easier to create, bit by bit, I would also have had more time to practise before doing my final presentation. My hypothesis could have been written in more of a question style, instead of starting my research with a conclusion in mind. When enlarged on the screen my references were too small to view, so they needed to be clearer. Also when making a definite statement for example the definition of Zeitgeist, I should always back up with evidence of how I know this. Apart from all these improvements and some major stumbling of words and a few "stuff like that's" it went quite well.

Evaluating My Process

Looking back through my process there are a few things that worked well, didn't work well and that I would change.

- What worked well?

I managed to gain lots of feedback through my network, and lots of responses for all three of my surveys. This high amount of response enabled me to gain vast information and a variety of opinions. My closed questions which gave me quantitative data which a then produced into graphs and charts worked extremely well as it gave me the ability to visualise the responses and compare. My open questions which relied on opinions for responses gained a lot of discussion and debate. These types of questions enabled me to really get a taste of what people actually think instead of giving them a choice of answers, making them choose one which may influence an answer. My blog has also been really successful, I have been keeping on top of it and updating regularly. I have also been communicating with my networks on a regular basis which enabled them to regularly feedback to me with answers and responses and gave me a lot to work with

- What didn't work well?

Some on my questions in my questionnaire as previously mentioned were confusing, and due to this I had to dismiss the responses as they would have been inaccurate. I also feel as though my network was not as extensive as I had hoped, I had attempted to make it as diverse as possible but even though I tried to connect as many weak-ties as possible the age range was clustered around the earl 20's, however I did have a vast range of ages. I also wish I had gained more male opinions as this would have been interesting to compare. 

- What I would do differently? 

If I was to continue with this project or restart I would have started my network at an earlier stage, possibly before even choosing a research area, this would have meant I would have had longer to access a wider range of people. I also wish I had found a super-connector (a member of a network that knows lots of people) this was I could have got my surveys to a wider audience, advancing my much needed diverse weak-ties. When choosing my research area I wish I had defined and narrowed it further, maybe focusing on one of the three subquestions I had created. Having such a broad area meant that there was so much to ask, and i gained so many different responses that I almost didn't know how to visualise them. I would have chosen Growing Younger as this is more relevant today and I gained some of the most interesting results from this area, that way I could refine my research and questions suitable to this topic. If I was to continue or repeat I would also get out there in person, join clubs, go to bars, confront people on the street, handing out cards with links to my Facebook group, blog and surveys to see if this would gain me any more weak-ties and diversity, communicating with more of the older generations and males..

Results Conclusion

At the beginning of my discover I came up with a Hypothesis that most people would agree with the traditional saying 'age is just a number'. Through my discovery I gain an abundance of information which helped me to gain results. There are so many opinions on this matter that not one simple or rounded answer can be given. Most believe that you are the age you feel and that you should not be discriminated against just because of a 'number'. But, most people although thinking this brought to light areas in which age really is an issue, and really does matter. Perhaps it doesn't change us as a person, but it limits us in areas of life due to society and our perceptions of what age means we should be doing with our life. 

Generally there was no right or wrong age to have a child, except for being too young, or two old, and women passing the natural menopause. Age gaps in relationship didn't appear and issue unless the age gap was extremely vast or one partner was considered a minor, as long as their is love. My network feel that children are growing up too fast, especially in the way they dress due to being overly sexualised at a young age through the media and society, whilst adults are trying to become younger and embracing this 'youth' lifestyle. Maybe this advanced growth and infantilising is closing in as the social gap between generations is becoming less important. 

Link Refreshment

This is a refreshment of the links you can access to view other responses, I have only posted a few:

Facebook Page

Mumsnet Talk One

Mumsnet Talk Two

Yahoo Answers Question - How Old Is Too Old To Have A Child?

Yahoo Answers Question - Is Age Really Just a Number?

Yahoo Answers Question - Growing Old Gracefully In Our Society.

Yahoo Answers Question - Do You Think Children Are Growing Up Too Fast?

Other Facebook Responses : Growing Younger

These images can be clicked on to view the full stories from previous posts on this blog. I have Included some comments made on this evidence from my Facebook group. Below that are a few questions I asked via my Facebook status and Facebook group:

"paedofile heaven...."

"n my view this is totally disgusting and exploitation."

"She looks good and all kids like to dress up in 'mummies clothes and make up' so I am not against kids wearing make up occasionally. However they seem to be using children as models these days in photos and catwalk shows. I understand the whole debate about models being stick thin - blah blah, But surely if designers are trying to sell clothes to the adult market - i.e. the ones that earn the money to buy the clothes, regardless of the age wearing them. Then they should have people in this age group advertising them."

How do you feel about these young? Elle Fanning, 13 is the face of Marc by Marc Jacobs, is this too young?

"Definitely."

"Not selling it to me, If he wants a 13 year old market thats the way to go."

"Totally agree with this article! However it is something that is to far gone and wont change."

"That has nothing to do with her age - I think it just looks ridiculous regardless!"

"he shouldn't be wearing clothes like that because they are ugly, however, she feels sexy dressed like that so that's up to her! Surely it's discrimination not to allow her in and ban her!"

"She does look 'cheap' in what she is wearing, but that is not to say that I or anyone else has the right to dictate to her what she can and cannot wear - she should be able to wear what she feels comfortable in"

At what age do you feel it is acceptable to give a child/teenager their first mobile phone?

"10/11..When you need to give them that little bit of freedom, but still be able to get in touch.."

"my little girl got hers at the age of 6"

"When they start secondary school, or even a year or so later. I got my first phone the Christmas after I started secondary school and barely used it. I certainly didn't need one before then. I used to phone my friends on their landlines. Parents should not use the excuse of 'having a mobile phone' to let their young children go off by themselves."

Images: Referenced in link given

Third Image: BBC News - Survey: Most parents concerned over child sexualisation. 2011. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13034053. [Accessed 22 February 2012].

Open Question Responses : Growing Younger

For lots of my questions for this survey I decided to open them up or extend them for further opinion, I am going to include some of these responses below.

Do you think children are growing up too fast? Why do you think this is?

"Media has big influence, and the growing urge to be an 'adult'"

"Advertising and tv, gaming etc available to children, children left to their own devices more as both parents work, pier pressure, adult fashion available in child sizes"

"Sexually aware from too young an age, bombarded with media - images, music etc."

Do you think the age of consent makes any difference to the age people actually lose their virginity?

"This matters less and less with every passing day. It was more of a taboo to have a child when you are under the age of consent, especially with religious ramifications but nowadays this matters little. It's perceived more as a target than a law in school with children, a guideline at best."

"I think your upbringing/family relationshis will impact this decision more than a law."

"I don't think you can put an age on it, by putting an age on it in the first place it applies sunconcious pressure onto youngsters that at 16 they should be sexually active."

(Do you think people are staying younger as they grow old?) Explain your reason.

"Many parents dressing in exactly the same way as their children - not necessarliy a good thing! Parents treating children as their 'mates' - eg playing Call of Duty with their 5 year old son (Dad and son bonding, is a real example)"

"People these days want to look younger, but are not prepared to look after them selfs. Seems to be all about quick fix, sadly."

"30/40 year olds are often embracing the younger lifestyle - going out more, partying, travelling, etc, whereas forty or fifty years ago, those in that age bracket would have stayed at home."

(To what extend do you agree with the phrase 'growing old gracefully' in our day and age?) Further thoughts on 'growing old gracefully':

"Many people do not come to terms with ageing and will have a lot of surgery to keep their looks"

"not done so well these days"

"I agree with the idea of growing older gracefully, but in society we embrace plastic surgery, botox, etc, and living a younger lifestyle, so I think the idea is dying out."

Other Thoughts?

"We need to learn acceptance. We grow old, our interests change, and our bodies change, but basically we are the same people we were as kids, but with less inhibitions."

"Society increasingly 'youth orientated' which actually seems to meen kids growing up while parents don't, hence blurring of the lines."