Isn't it important that we know the age of other jellies when answering questions?

I don’t think it’s necessary to post one’s age (I wouldn’t post mine!).

One can usually tell from the context or an answerer asks ages if it seems relevant to the question.

Or you can check the Asker’s profile.

Age shouldn’t matter…

We all get confused as to age (and gender) of the Jellies, sometimes, it is what it is. If you’re unsure on a question, ask the OP, mention it will affect what perspective you answer with.

There are some very mature younglings on here & I have been caught out once or twice, in that I may have been a little tactless in my replies, never the less it all turned out fine.. I tend to check out profiles a lot more now but sometimes I do wonder…. For the record I’m a slightly immature 43 yrs young, so forgive me for acting a little childish at times :-/
It’s all good fun……

No. Age is just a number. I’m an older guy, however: “there is snow on the roof but a lot of fire in the chimney!”

@Sayd_Whater : Age shouldn’t matter, but life experience alters perspective sometimes and advice I would give to a 15 year old might be different from that I would give to a 50 year old, simply because one has less experience than the other.

I’m specifically talking about the below 18 crowd, especially when it comes to sexual matters. @Scooby – best answer, will try that

I have been bitten by this. I gave what was good advice for a sane 20 year old. I didn’t realize the question was asked by a not so stable 13 year old that wanted to learn how to kiss a family member. Once I realized my mistake I asked Andrew to remove it.

I don’t think people need to post their age. I think the people responding need to be a little more careful with what we type.

No, you’ll just end up making bad assumptions.

Who is to say that a member would even state their actual age. I have seen a lot of impostors here and everywhere on the internet for that matter.

No. If it’s sex advice, and I don’t know if they’re over 18, I ask – other than that, you’ll pick it up anyway (nearly everyone will eventually answer something giving away their age range).

I don’t think it’s important. If a 13-year-old has no one else to turn to and ask about things, I think they should be able to get the answers from somewhere. I’d hate to deny someone advice or information they feel they need just because they are young.

@Seaofclouds, I don’t mind giving them advice, I would like to know there age before I do though.

I like when young people let us know their age. Many times we can tell by the question, but not always. One thing I really like about fluther is how caring the collective is towards young people who are having a rough time, or need an answer to a question they feel they cannot ask another adult. In my experience people are more careful with their words, less flip, blunt, or obnoxious when we know someone is young.

@JLeslie That’s true. I do try to take it down a notch if I know they’re young. But I do the same if they’re new, before I know their age.

Age should NOT be an issue, but I think you can often tell by the sophistication of the written question that the writer is younger. With questions concerning adult behavior, we all need to consider our answers. If there is a question in your mind, ask the writer to clarify details before answering. Kids are curious and ask all kinds of questions. And some may sound like adults. If they’re smart enough to ask an articulate question, they’re old enough to hear the answer.
As to requesting answers from particular age groups only, that’s fine, but it may not be followed if an answerer wants to throw in a comment.

GA @Sunny2
Young people are much better communicators than older people credit them with being. If they want to ask something merely for titillation or attention-whoring they go live at Yahoo or IsItNormal.
If they come to Fluther with a sexual question, I assume it is because they want serious answers and perspectives from all ages for issues they can’t go ask their mums or peers.
I only take age into consideration if the Q has undertones of “I’m so confused/ashamed, I might kill myself”.
Censoring your answers because of age contributes to Puritan repression of natural processes. Do we need another generation of humans hiding their desires and feeling isolated because of them?

I still think I wouldn’t give any different advice to a 18 girl or a 50 guy…
because if you censure age, you’ll censure experience, gender, and where will you stop? nationality? culture? religion? color? You know… I’m just saying… Just try to pick your words the better you can…I mean you should always be careful with words.
Why should a yonger girl get more respect or a different answer than you and me?
this was suposed to be in those little words—->(It’s funny, I pick my words that best I can… I know that sometimes I might not spell them right – probably because we’re writing in my 4th language…but I still get no sympathy from other jellies! That’s a good thing though…because it forces me to learn and practice!)—-> Do you think I should get more sympathy for that?

@Sayd_Whater, my question really pertained to the division between adult and child. I would most definately have different advice for a 13 year old than I would for an 18 or 50 year old. I think the issue is wrapped up with all the answers above. I will take care to do a little research on who is asking questions and consider context and maturity of approach.

I say relevancy is in the eye of the beholder. It’s the responsibility of the question-asker to provide all the necessary information needed for good responses, and the responsibility of the responder to give answers as best they can with the information provided.

@Blueroses I don’t believe in censorship, but I do believe in good judgment. If a young person can ask an articulate question, it should be answered. I just think that the words you choose should be considered ones and not tossed casually off the top of your head. (I’m not saying that you do that. How would I know?). I agree with Season of Fall’s last sentence.

@Sayd Whater I can imagine situations in which I might consider the way I would say something to any of the categories of people you mention; NOT as a matter of censure, but of consideration and compassion. If anybody here is not being sympathetic to your situation in communicating in a 4th language, that is the kind of thing I’m talking about. I would try to learn why you were having problems with spelling before making ANY comments about it. And talking to young people, I would have to know more before giving advice.

I’m glad that it’s possible to get around this situation without violanting any privicy settings.

If “q-askers” want to show their ages is with them – I personally wouldn’t search any more details than those in reveiled the question – That’s not my job – And my answer would be the same.

@Sunny2 and @Season_of_fall It’s always nice to find people like you – Because I truly think that for you, any kind of information might be usefull to give your best answers, and it shows that you are truly interested in give honest answers and not just “great answers”;

However I still think that’s bad policy measuring your words for the person on the other side.
You see… even in sex or health related questions I wouldn’t give any different advice, that wouldn’t start with – “You have to see a doctor!” – So I don’t see where your advice from there could be wrong.

Another thing is not the issue or subject, but the way people express – I’ve noticed that younger people tend to respect more the elders, the elders tend to disrespect or, at least, disregard youngers opinions. I’ve seen the opposite, of course, but not so often.

All I’m saying, and I don’t mean to soud ungratefull, is that I should’t get any more consideration or compassion than anyone – And certainly not more than a native english speaker, that makes less spelling errors than me!!! And you know…because everyone makes mistakes, and we should be tolerant with everyone – (Even with those who think they know everything, better than the others… They just don’t admited so that they can keep correcting people around…lol)

@Sayd_Whater I almost always consider my words if what I have to say is more than a sentence or two. Words can hurt. I really regret unwittingly hurting anyone and try not to. I think you can tell anyone anything on any subject if you’re careful of the way you say it. A friend even thanked me for telling her that her behavior was inappropriate in a way that she could accept. I consider that a real compliment.