Email Interview Response

I was able to obtain an response from the woman I came across on Mumsnet. It was beneficial to see results from someone who has experienced negativity due to her age. From talking to people and scanning through my 'Age to Have Children' survey, many have said that 20 is young, but not to young to have children. I wonder why she aimed such discrimination, especially from the older generations who previously were married with chidden at a younger age that the current generation. (You can click on the email response to zoom in.) It was interesting that her doubts about becoming a mum where more to due with her individual situation, not actually her age. She feels she received negativity due to the portrayal of 'youth' in the media 'We aren't all drunken, staggering idiots with ASBOs'. She gained abuse for 'being a drain on resources, getting pregnant just because I want a house'. Why though, just because you are younger does it mean you are starting a family for any other reason, that people who may be older? The interviewee said she even 'stopped wearing make-up and cut my hair' just to look older, to stop the discrimination.

Image: Print screen from personal email

Facebook Interview

The Interviewee from this Facebook conversation approached me when I asked my network if anyone is in a long lasting relationship with a large age gap. I do not know this person personally and haven't spoken with her for about 5 years, so consider her a weak-tie within my network. I found this interview extremely insightful, when in a long term relationship most peoples opinions from my Facebook group and surveys so far think that age doesn't matter in a relationship. However my interviewee, although in a happy relationship does notice the age gap, stating that the different becomes 'More of an issue as get older'. From my questionnaires so far people said that age gaps become less of an issue as you get older, it is nice to get someone experiencing an age gaps opinion on the matter against people who are just observing. But generally most of my network, this interviewee included believe 'age was never a major issue - it's as much of an issue as you want to make it'.

Another question that I asked on my Facebook group was: 'When looking at age gaps in relationships, do you feel it is more acceptable for a man or woman to date a partner younger than them?' Most people say that it is more socially acceptable for men to be the older in the relationship, which my interviewee commented on saying 'I also think that in our supposedly liberal society there are still inequalities in how age gaps are handled - more acceptable STILL (!) for older man/younger woman than other way round - I'm not sure how I would evidence that - is just my perception ...'

Image: Print screen from Facebook chat.

Interview Via Email

After finding the above response on a mumsnet thread 'At what age do you think its 'socially acceptable' to have kids? I message the poster through mumsnet, she agreed to do a mini interview over email which i have just sent, I am just waiting for a reply.

Top Image: Print Screen: At what age do you think its 'socially acceptable' to have kids? (full thread) | Mumsnet Discussion . 2011. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/a1360858-At-what-age-do-you-think-its-socially-acceptable-to-have-kids. [Accessed 24 February 2012].

Bottom Image: Print screen from Email.

Britain's Oldest IVF Mum

I remembered watching this some time ago. Susan Tollefson caused controversy when, at the age of 57, she became Britain’s oldest IVF mother. Now aged 61, Susan has admitted that she was too old to have a child, and thinks there should be an age limit for IVF.

It is interesting too see how this woman has changed her mind having experienced it first hand. Many people will disagree with her having a child at such an age but many also believe she is a great parent and that being an older mum isn't a problem, as long as she is taken care of in a loving environment. Many people also feel that age isn't the issue, only if conception is natural; if you have gone through the menopause it is your bodies way of telling you that you are not supposed to conceive. 

This Morning Interview

Daily Mail Article

Image: IVF mum, 61: My critics were right and age limit should be 50 | Mail Online. 2011. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2058133/IVF-mum-61-My-critics-right-age-limit-50.html. [Accessed 09 February 2012].