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."

Other Facebook Responses : Age Gaps

This image can be clicked on to view the full story from previous posts on this blog. I have Included some comments made on this of evidence from my Facebook group. Below that are other questions I asked via my Facebook status and Facebook group.

"Don't really care...each to their own. The older you get the age gap does get smaller. Where I do struggle with it, is what is their common conversation point?? "

"What is she thinking? just because you can, does it mean you should? when she wants kids..will he be at that point in his life?..Look at Demi and Ashton. I haven't seen this woman/ boy relationship ever work...You should never go out with someone you could have given birth to!"

"f you love someone, you love someone. I think its hard for people to understand relationships like this from the outside but I guess its different of you are the people in the relationship. I think they know their relationship is 'wrong' by many peoples perspectives due to their age but you cant help who you fall in love with."

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?

"I think that people have become alot more accepting towards age gap differences, as it is shown more publicly, with celebrities such as Aston and Demi, as there was a large age gap. Also there are programmes such as cougar town and things, making it alot more acceptable so people understand!"

"I don´t think it makes any difference if it is the man or the woman who is older. It all has to do with compatability and personality and if they suit each other rather than age."


Image: Referenced in Image link.

Open Question Results : Age Gaps

For most of my questions from my questionnaire entitles 'Is Age Really Just a Number' they were open for opinionated responses. I have decided to include a few of the comments and opinions which I feel are strong or reflect the majorities attitudes:


Do you think your age limits you in certain areas of life? (please specify)
"Not personally, but I think people are discriminated on the terms of age. ie. Judging somebody just because they are younger."
"Yes. In particular clothes. i love some of the things i see in shops but feel i am too old to wear the styles."
"When i was younger yes, but now no"
"I think that age limits you in terms of what you can do legally, and this is because you haven't reached a certain level of maturity. Age also restricts you physically, by preventing you from doing things you could once do. Age also limits what is socially acceptable behaviour, what you could get away with in your 20's in terms of dress and drinking and relationships is likely to be frowned upon in your 40's."


Regarding relationships, what are your views on age gaps? (e.g. how big is to big of an age gap? do you judge? should they be judged? Does it actually matter? etc)
"I think it depends on how old the person is. i.e a 11yr old dating a thirty yr old seems wrong. but possibly a 30yr old dating a 50yr, not so shocking"
"When in school/college, no more than a couple of years. Once adults, more acceptable for a greater gap."
"I think it depends on the individuals and their relationship. I personally would judge if i saw a 20 year old dating a 40 year old because i just don't think it is acceptable. Anything up to 10 years i would consider to be suitable"
"If the two people in the relationship are happy and in love without hurting others then it is nobodys buinsess but their own"
"I do judge age difference as I find it strange because I personally feel a lot different to an older person. I could never be attracted to someone who is similar to my dads age..."


Is age an issue to you when making friends? (please explain)
"Not at all. I have some fantastic friends who are retiring and I consider them just as close to me as those my own age! However, often I find that people my own age are in a similar stage in their life to me and thus are easier to connect with. But not always!!"
"Not at all! People are interesting whatever their age."
"yes, in that you generally look for friends with similar interests and experiences."
"No. What's important is that we click. I've found this usually happens more with people around your own age, as you think the same. But age per se is not an issue."

Facebook Responses : Age to Have Children

These two images can be clicked on to view the full story from previous posts on this blog. I have Included some comments made on these pieces of evidence from my Facebook page.

" This isn't really about age - it is a reflection of a traditional society where only a male son is important. Science has made something possible, which probably it ought not to have."

"This is really sad."

"I agree with her. There is a time for everything. Just because you CAN do something, doesn't mean you should."

"I feel this is unfair on the child and selfish from the parents! You will never see your child grow past the age of maybe 20?! I think there is an age limit and a menopause for a reason, who wants to be a 70yr old mum the day your child turns 13?"

"Will she still be alive to see her child get married or have children?? or will it push a teenage pregnancy so she can be a grandmother?"

Top Image: Referenced in Image link.

Bottom Image: Print screen from: Life | Britain's-Oldest-IVF-mum - ITV This Morning . 2011. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.itv.com/thismorning/life/britains-oldest-ivf-mum/. [Accessed 9 February 2012].

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

Other Peoples Yahoo Responses

This response was given on Yahoo Answers, when a woman of 21 was asking if it was acceptable to date a male 2 years her junior. One of the questions I asked about age gaps 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?' This response answers my own question along with these responses from my Facebook group:

Images: Print screen: Facebook. 2012. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.facebook.com/groups/343006375732948/. [Accessed 23 February 2012].

Yahoo Responses

Here are a few of the best responses from the questions I asked on Yahoo Answers.

First two Images: Print screen: Do you think children are growing up to fast? Why? - Yahoo! UK & Ireland Answers. 2012. [ONLINE] Available at:http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AgbzMdQ4idssVXtVue2siTogBgx.;_ylv=3?qid=20120219133300AAbjJXM. [Accessed 22 February 2012].

Second two Images Print screen: Is Age Really Just a Number? - Yahoo! UK & Ireland Answers. 2012. [ONLINE] Available at:http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AqoKlew85DOUCHm6v1kupAYhBgx.;_ylv=3?qid=20120219134538AA9t7G2. [Accessed 22 February 2012].

Final two Images: Print screen: What are your opinions on the phrase 'growing old gracefully' in our society nowadays? - Yahoo! UK & Ireland Answers. 2012. [ONLINE] Available at:http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AuGpqm4HgfKBdtf9.9x9xKIhBgx.;_ylv=3?qid=20120219133512AA6LUoM. [Accessed 22 February 2012].

Yahoo Answers

I few days ago, I signed up to Yahoo answers to gain response from a wider range of people completely unknown to myself. I chose three questions as a starting point, these were based on my latest survey as this one has gained the least response. Completely unbeknown I was disappointed that I had gained no response from this also, but after figuring out the site, I came across many replies. The three questions I asked (click on each image to go to the page):

The two above only gained a few responses, all still valuable just not very many. The question below gained the most, and the most variety of opinions. I am really pleased that I have managed to gain more responses from people I have no links with at all.

First Image: Print screen from: Yahoo! Answers UK - Ask Questions & Get Answers On Any Topic. 2012. [ONLINE] Available at:http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/. [Accessed 22 February 2012].

Second Image: Print screen from: Do you think children are growing up to fast? Why? - Yahoo! UK & Ireland Answers. 2012. [ONLINE] Available at:http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AgbzMdQ4idssVXtVue2siTogBgx.;_ylv=3?qid=20120219133300AAbjJXM. [Accessed 22 February 2012].

Third Image: Print screen from: Is Age Really Just a Number? - Yahoo! UK & Ireland Answers. 2012. [ONLINE] Available at:http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AqoKlew85DOUCHm6v1kupAYhBgx.;_ylv=3?qid=20120219134538AA9t7G2. [Accessed 22 February 2012].

Fourth Image: Print screen from: What are your opinions on the phrase 'growing old gracefully' in our society nowadays? - Yahoo! UK & Ireland Answers. 2012. [ONLINE] Available at:http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AuGpqm4HgfKBdtf9.9x9xKIhBgx.;_ylv=3?qid=20120219133512AA6LUoM. [Accessed 22 February 2012].

Hypothesis

Mission Statement: 'Is Age Really Just a Number'

Hypothesis: 'Age Is Just a Number'

When begging this mission to find out if 'Is Age Really Just a Number', I believed that I would find most people agreeing that is is intact just a number, surprisingly lots of people don't agree and feel it is much more than just a number. Take this for example:

For a lot of my subquestions I am also finding controversial responses, this means I am gaining positive results as it isn't what i expected, I also haven't influenced their answers.

Image: Print screen: Facebook. 2012. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.facebook.com/groups/343006375732948/. [Accessed 19 February 2012].

Facebook Question Response

From talking to people in the past and iscussing this topic previous to this module I noticed that people were more excepting of a man dating someone younger than a woman (depending on the age of the individuals and the age gaps). So I wanted to gain some opinions on this question. Is it more acceptable for a man for woman to date someone younger?

The male tends to be older in relationships with age gaps, but from these responses it is becoming more acceptable for the age gap to be reversed. This acceptance reflect our zeitgeist, 'the spirit of the age' of our time. 

Images: Print screen from: Facebook. 2012. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.facebook.com/groups/343006375732948/. [Accessed 17 February 2012].

Poor Survey Responses

I have made two surveys now, but am disappointed with the amount of responses when posting to my Facebook group and twitter won't accept the link. 

I therefore I need to access different online networks to get my survey out there, especially as I would like to create a third. I could also go out to the public approach people face to face and interview them to gather responses. 

Image: Print screen from: Facebook. 2012. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=516022786. [Accessed 17 February 2012].

Opinions

I received this email in response to my groups and pages set up for Is Age Really Just a Number. (click on image to view in detail).

This suggests that most people feel Age is just a state of mind, with only physically restrictions. This email also raises the point that my title is so broad that more questions are raised instead of answered. So I am going to think of a better way to sub categorise this title so I can gain official results instead of data.


Image: Authors own from email.