The existence of the over 30 section ...

[sensitivesoul]

It's interesting how we have a specific section for the over 30's hence implying most of the SA UK members are under the age of 30 when age has a larger diversity in reality. Is this a cultural sign that most people do overcome their SA problems by the age of 30? It's a positive thing if people do although I can't say it happened for me personally as I'm still alone and struggling. Or is it that there's a lower population of people over 30 active online? Or another reason?

Thoughts?

[firefly27]

I've noticed alot of forums have a '___ and overs' section.. so perhaps it isnt exclusive to SA? I always assumed it is because younger people tend to be more active online.. although I think thats changing these days.

[Spock]

Not sure what it's original purpose was but i always assumed it was for slightly more adult topics such as sex and relationships and sex though most of that ends up in the basement so god only knows what its purpose is now

At the moment, it seems to be a mish mash of all sorts of (age irrelevant) random crap

[diplodocus]

I thought it was for us oldies to talk about gardening and baking cakes

[Pablo Huntsbach]

Originally Posted by hux

Not sure what it's original purpose was but i always assumed it was for slightly more adult topics such as sex and relationships and sex though most of that ends up in the basement so god only knows what its purpose is now

At the moment, it seems to be a mish mash of all sorts of (age irrelevant) random crap

Because sex is not an appropriate subject for anyone under the age of thirty…

I think it might be because the membership here tends to skew younger, and some older members might feel a bit alienated by all the young people talk, so there's a section where they can discuss Vera Lynn and who makes the best beige trousers out of Littlewoods and Bhs, and then get all nostalgic when they find out that Littlewoods isn't around anymore. That's what being over 30 is like, right?

[RustyShackleford]

It is a bit silly IMO to lump everyone over the age of 30 into the same age bracket since these days there isn't really a whole lot of difference between your 20's and 30's. In particular, I'd argue that 25-35 is a bracket all of it's own.

I'd certainly say that most people would struggle to differentiate between the two (20s/30s) at a meet, for example. In fact when I think about social groups outside of the SA realm, I think most would struggle there too.

[RustyShackleford]

Also, I'd say there is a heck of a difference between 41 and 81!

[Spock]

Originally Posted by Pablo Huntsbach

Because sex is not an appropriate subject for anyone under the age of thirty***8230;

On this site....frankly no (just thought an over 30's section for such sex related discussions might be a good way to discourage some of the bitterness the young uns have about sex and relationships)

Originally Posted by sensitivesoul

Is this a cultural sign that most people do overcome their SA problems by the age of 30?

That sounds too much like....you'll grow out of it"....which seems an unlikely thing for a mental health site to advocate though it might often be true

[VO2]

I think that oldies coming here probably think that the majority of people who post here are young un's ,so the 30's thread is kind of reassuring as a way of knowing there's oldies as well. ..But there use to be a students room here before as well which I think served some purpose for a while...

[Sunshiny Day]

VO2 - I agree - I'm 51 and I do feel comforted by the Over 30's thread (although it might be more comforting if it was over 40!). I'd never even heard of SA 'til I was 36. Hopefully people of all ages are welcome here also I sincerely hope that most people have overcome their problems or at least come to terms with them by my age.

[Saponara_Immobile]

seems dumb, most decent threads that pop up in it get replies by under 30s anyway so don't really see the point.

[sensitivesoul]

Thanks for your replies :-)

I think the idea of sections for different ages is a useful one, it was more that I was wondering if by an existence of one, it meant most members are under 30 and us older being a minority group, hence implying people remove their SA as they get older. Of course, this is fantastic if it's the case, just hasn't been for me. If anything, things can seem harder as I get older.

[anxiouslondoner]

It's so we don't embarrass the younger members with our dancing and our attempts to be "street". Innit. Or something.

[aVoice2use]

^ yolo

fck knows why it is here but it is - so i shall use it if i like

[Reclue]

Originally Posted by Pablo Huntsbach

and then get all nostalgic when they find out that Littlewoods isn't around anymore.

WTF, Littlewoods isn't around - when did that happen?

Next you'l be telling my Woolworths is gone or worse still C&A

[misska]

Am not 30yet but i feel old when reading some posts

[richuk]

I am new to SAUK discussion boards and am 47. Makes me feel ancient reading some of the comments! Am I the only one here over 40 who suffers from SA. Had it all my adult life

[Pablo Huntsbach]

Originally Posted by Reclue

WTF, Littlewoods isn't around - when did that happen?

Next you'l be telling my Woolworths is gone or worse still C&A

I think they still exist online and they might have an actual paper catalog they send out. All the stores closed in '06 though. If you were being sarcastic disregard this post...

[Azi]

Originally, this section was created as we recognise that that the difficulties people face in their 30s and above are often different to those faced by those faced by younger people (such as difficulties raising a family, careers, ageing parents/caring responsibilities and so on). Because the younger members are typically more active, these types of issues weren't getting the responses/attention they needed.

[Reptillian]

No i like the fact that there is this section, where possibly the best age group is and we had the best music growing up! am now 51 and yes i still have SA, but only just found out, and when i look back all the signs were there as a kid and through my young adult life. i have accepted the fact i have SA but it doesn't make life any easier and makes relationships nigh on impossible, especially when the person you're with doesn't understand. i am also bi-polar which i suppose is just a posh american way of saying i am slightly mad, no really just a manic depressive.

so if there are any ladies out there that think they can a handle a 51 yr old manic man then please feel free to Pm me.

oh and woolworths is still around, but their only on-line now... I love C&A such a shamen they left, bring back those corduroy trousers and tank tops... yeh the 60-70's rock. just a shame i don't remember much...

[les]

I am now gonna sound like an old git....the youngsters these days don't know they are born! In my day there was no such thing as the WWW and we only had 3 tv stations, and I didn't have SA I was "Introvert", "a shy child." "odd but harmless" (that was a good one) at least we now have an outlet of our (my) restrictive existence.

[lonely_sock]

Why is the upper limit 81? Bit random isn't it?

You would probably have to ask the original creator of this section for a definitive answer to your question. They must be 82 now though, because they're clearly not here.

[black_mamba]

I thought it was a play on the whole club 18 - 30 thing.

lol they must be 82....

[lonely_sock]

Originally Posted by black_mamba

I thought it was a play on the whole club 18 - 30 thing.

lol they must be 82....

of course. sorry

[Amber Fyre]

I remember when the section was called 'the old folk's home' or something like that. But that was seen as a little bit offensive so the name was changed. Back then most people seemed to be under 30, but I think now perhaps it is more mixed?

[gingercat]

I always had mixed feelings about the existence of this room. Due to SA causing me to miss out on a lot of stuff I've never really felt the age I am so I hate any implication that I'm supposed to have changed in some way just because I hit 30. But probably that's more about my own failings than anything else. If having this room makes some people more comfortable posting, I guess that's a good reason for having it.

[black_mamba]

Originally Posted by gingercat

I always had mixed feelings about the existence of this room. Due to SA causing me to miss out on a lot of stuff I've never really felt the age I am so I hate any implication that I'm supposed to have changed in some way just because I hit 30. But probably that's more about my own failings than anything else. If having this room makes some people more comfortable posting, I guess that's a good reason for having it.

Don't worry about it I think most of us feel a lot younger than our age suggests due to having missed out on lots.

My body is 30 but my mind feels about 17.

[David K]

Body 36, mind 3.6.

[black_mamba]

^That's an impressive ratio.

[gingercat]

I'm 33 but probably feel early-to-mid-20s most of the time. When I was in my 20s I felt about 14 so I guess things have actually improved a bit!