Does age matter?

[BlackMoria]

I'm DMed for some 26+ years and probably for the last half of those years, all my players have been younger than me. In fact, quite a bit younger than me.

To me, age doesn't matter. RPGs is about telling a story and enjoying one's self. I don't care how young someone as long as he can conduct himself in a mature fashion. And it shouldn't matter how old I am.

I am literally double the age of players. I'm 48 and the oldest player is 24.

The point - one of the players made an off the cuff comment the other night that his mother was 'concerned' about him playing a game with a man twice his age and all the other players being quite a bit younger. Nothing specific...just a vague 'concern'.

It never dawned upon me that other parents thought, but I am interpreting 'concerned' from this mother to mean she is wondering if I am some sort of dirty old man (pedophile), or some cult leader misleading the youth, or some weirdo that will be a negative inflluence on her son. Perhaps she wonders why I would associate in a passtime with people half my age.

The truth is none of that - I simply have not found anyone near my age who is interested in playing so my players are half my age.

So....does age matter? If you are in your mid-twenties or younger, would you have reservations about playing in a game in which there is a 48 yr old guy? And for those still living at home.... if your parent expressed some 'concern' about you playing D&D with someone twice your age, what do you say in response?

 

[Arnwyn]

It matters for some people, but not for others.

I probably wouldn't game with those much older (or younger) than me, simply because my preference is to hang around with others my own age (we're all late 20's). But that's just me.

So, age "might" matter. Should it matter? No, but sadly the actual answer is: "who cares?" A theoretical answer to a theoretical question won't change the real-life situations.

 

[frankthedm]

If they are below the age of concent then you SHOULD be concerned. One simple lie can cause you a world of hell.

If the players are not yet adults, the parents SHOULD be concerned for the well being of thier children. If the parents do not know you, they should not trust you.

The 24 year old needs to cut the cord BTW.

 

[Moe Ronalds]

Well, I'm still in my teens so I kind of have to be careful about who I game around, age-wise. Typically I wouldn't game with anyone I don't at least somewhat know unless it's in a game store or other public venue.

 

[caudor]

I can't see how age is an issue. Would it be a big deal if you took them fishing or bowling? Or you all sat around and played monopoly instead of D&D? Even the Boy Scouts is not a bunch of kids running around by themselves...there are adults who serve as leaders and mentors. So how better off would these kids be running up and down the streets?

The best thing to do is discuss the issue with the concerned parent and let them know where you are coming from. If they still have concerns, then you'll (unfortunately) might have to dismiss the kid from your group. Let the parent make the call.

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

I don't think age matters that much...though it CAN, it really shouldn't. I'll be 18 the 1st of May, so I'm kind of on the edge of things. Most of my players are younger than I am, though I've gamed with a couple of people older....usually in their 20s.

 

[JDragon]

From the playing side its the maturity level not the age that makes the diffrence to me.

For myself, other than a short campaign I did my freshmen year I have always been younger than most if not the entire group I've gamed with.

My junior year in High School (i was 18) the group I gamed with were all atleast 7 years older than me.

The age diffrence is not as big now, but I'm still the youngest by atleast 3 or 4 years, with a couple people being 10 years older than me.

As said before, as long as they are over 18 it shouldn't be a problem, but it never hurts to take that step to help the parents feel better.

 

[BrooklynKnight]

I don't think age matters that much...though it CAN, it really shouldn't. I'll be 18 the 1st of May, so I'm kind of on the edge of things. Most of my players are younger than I am, though I've gamed with a couple of people older....usually in their 20s.

Back in the day I was always the youngest in whatever group i gamed with.

I was 15 and they were all 20+.

Nowadays i'm often the oldest or in the middle.

At Winter Fantasy I rant he whole gamut actually. In one game I was youngest, in one I was oldest, and then in one game where I ran.. I was exactly in the middle. I was Dming for a staff volunteer, some guy, and a family of 3 (father, mother, and daughter of 9) with the father being the oldest at the table and the daughter being the youngest.

 

[CombatWombat51]

My friend and I were introduced to D&D (at the same time) by a guy who was 12 years older than us, and we were 11 and 10. Scott was wise to get us hooked early, so that'd we'd DM for him when we got older and lazy My dad didn't mind at all, he even thought it was a good thing. My friend and I knew Scott through our dojo, so my dad even knew Scott.

When I was 16 or 17, I responded to a call for players at the FLGS. They were all in their 30's, maybe a few in their early 40's. I didn't have any problems with them at all. In fact, when I joined up, the DM told me that he reserved the right to kick me out after the first session if I "acted my age". Wasn't a problem

Heck, I don't care how old, fat, gay, racial, or anything else my group is. Just as long as I won't have to worry about arresting them for their "habbits", they know what a shower is, and they don't fear the light of day, they're fine by me! At least, initially

I expect when I'm an old fogey, I'll be looking for gamers in the same way, and hope the youngin's can have pity on my wrinkled self

EDIT: Scott was 23 years old, not 23 years older. I'm glad he doesn't read these boards, or else I could already feel the ass kicking ;D

 

[Dark Jezter]

I'm DMing a campaign where over half the players are older than I am. I'm 23, one of the PCs is 26, another is 27, another is 29, and another is 33. The other two players are 22 and 21.

So age isn't a big concern for me.