Does age matter?

[Salad Shooter]

Even the Boy Scouts is not a bunch of kids running around by themselves...there are adults who serve as leaders and mentors.

Heh...yeah, but to apply to be an Adult leader, they ask you more questions than my college did when I applied to it...I went from Tigers up through Eagle Scout, and applied for an adult position in the same troop...those applications are nuts. Yay Youth Protection.

On the topic, I don't think age should matter. I've only really played with people my age (my current group goes from 18-22, but we've been together for years) We'd LOVE it if an experienced, older roleplayer came by and wanted to join us. Even an older guy (or gal) who never played before. And thats my thoughts on the subject.

 

[med stud]

I dont see age as a problem at all. I have met 16 years old who are far more mature than some of the 40 years olds I have met. I think fixating on age is getting more and more of a problem in society these days.

When my grandfather was about 40-50 he was very popular with the kids in the area because he was very good at building toy castles and finding up stories. In the 50's that meant that he was a kind old man. Today he would be tried as a pedophile in no time because noone can concieve of the thought of someone who likes to hang out with younger people (for the record, Im 23 years old so Im not one of those people (yet )).

So just dont care about it. You are playing with people old enough to kill for their nation, let alone chosing who to hang out with. The mother seems a bit overconcerned to me but that seems to be typical for many mothers.

 

[John Crichton]

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.

I think this is spot on. Some folks will make a big deal out of it and others (like me) couldn't care less.

Right now I am in 2 groups. One that I DM for has 2 players (1 recently left) who are both 19. I am 26. We started playing when they were 16. Their folks had a small issue with it (I met them both at work). But we decided to play at one of the guys homes a few times so the mother could see what we were doing and it worked fine. The other guy just had his mom read the first few pages of the PHB and he was all set (after some issues).

The other group has guys in their 20's and one older - 21, 26 & 29 respectively. The last is in his early 40s/late 30s (I can't recall). We get along just fine.

When I was in high school I used to play with folks in their 30s. I even ran a game or 2. So I see no problem with it. As a parent (which I am not yet) I would have some concern if my child was playing with someone considerably older and I would probably ask to meet that person/group. I would expect the same out of any other parent.

The 24 year old needs to cut the cord BTW.

Too true.

 

[langolas]

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?

For me depends on the player. I've played with older people who act like children, and at the same time played with younger people who acted more mature. Depends on gaming style and intent. Power gamers generally stay that way.

 

[Buttercup]

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.

Bingo. I'm reminded of parents who let their minor children stay over night at the home of famous musicians. It just isn't a good choice for adults to game with minors who are not relatives or close family friends. For a whole host of reasons.

Now, as long as we're not talking about minors, then I don't think age really matters. My oldest player is 52, and the youngest is 27. We're all adults, and friends.

 

[Silver Moon]

I agree with most of what has already been said. My first gaming group consisted of college-aged people, although the hosts who we gamed with were in their mid-30's. Age only was a factor is that they owned their own house, so you didn't have to worry about bothering anybody's parents.

I also agree on the age of consent thing too. I had done some D&D with kids in my Boy Scout troop, but only with scouts whose parents had given permission. When a parent raised an objection to the Troop Committee I stopped altogether.

One of the members of my gaming group runs an after school game once a week for his high school aged daughter and a few of her friends, but only with the express permission of their parents.

My daughter wants me to to the same, but I told her that she has to wait another few years, and at that point it will only be with a few friends whose parents know us very well and vice versa. (Kriskrafts and I are very protective our our children, and I am shocked when I see parents who aren't. We once hosted a birthday party here for 3rd graders and I was appalled when several parents who we had never met just dropped their kids off and left without even coming inside!)

 

[francisca]

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.

Glad to hear you are being careful. Keep it up!

 

[SamuraiY]

I'm 16 and would gladly play a game of DnD with my grandfather if we could keep him awake long enough. I dont think age matters, but I can understand why some people would. What I dont understand is when people say that younger people are somehow inherently rude, aggrivating jerks. I have played with people almost 6 years older than me who were less mature than I am. If a person wants to play with people his own age it should be because he finds it easier to interact with them, not because older people are pedophiles and younger people are idiots.

 

[ergeheilalt]

I started playing with older people when I was fourteen. A 26 yo divorcee, a 20ish college student, a 25 yo DM, and a couple guys around 15 or 16. Then, timed rolled by, and when I was 16-17 I was playing with people in they're late 20's early 30's and still having fun.

For me age doesn't matter so much as maturity. I used to DM a game with a kid roughly my age, but he just annoyed everyone. If a player can get through 2 or 3 games without getting on the nerves of the others, I don't think age really should matter. Of course, when playing with minors, it never hurts to be careful and talk with their parents and such.

Erge

 

[nopantsyet]

Oh, I'm tipping onto the other side of the scale now. My players are all younger than I am. As a rule, I won't allow anyone under 21 in my game. By 21, you've got all of the thorny issues out of the way, and are dealing with fully-vested adults. Plus, we drink beer, so I'm not about to cross that line.

This is certainly not meant to castigate the <21 set; I know there are a lot of mature and talented gamers your age. The only exception I would make would be for someone whose parents I'm good friends with, but I'm not quite that old yet.