Gender and Age - 'critical' information

For a while now, I have noticed that there seem to be more-and-more members whose age does not show up in the member information next to each post. I never remember having the option. Even to this day, in my 'Edit Profile' settings, the option does not exist. Are people making special requests to the site to not have their age displayed? Is it being "rigged" from behind-the-scenes?

Personally, I think that the display of Gender and Age should be mandatory with no exceptions.

I respect the right of the site owner to do what he wishes - this is not to speak against the site. This is not any kind of "disgruntled" expression of thought - it is more simply "thinking out loud"...

And the question is --- if more-and-more people are allowed to not show their Gender and Age - what will be the ultimate resulting effect?

But, I am also wondering --- why is the option not freely available to every member? I mean -- if you are going to have such an option -- should it not be freely available in every member's profile settings?

I just don't fully understand what is really actually going on with this...???

I am a big believer in the secure protection of every member - especially the female members. However - to me - Gender and Age are the two 'critical' pieces of information about a member that every other member deserve to know -- simply for the sake of knowing how to 'frame' your communication with that person. Every other thing may be optional - and with good reason - but, these two things are the 'balance' that ensure that every member has the [ minimal required ] information that they deserve to have regarding every other member.

It obviously helps to know whether I am talking to a male or a female.

It also helps to know whether I am talking to a 15-year-old, a 45-year-old, or an 75-year-old.

Whether or not the information given about themselves is actually true and / or accurate is a different issue. As a default measure, we take them for what they say they are.

The "not having to tell your age" thing is understandable in-person, but in this kind of environment "it just doesn't hold water"...

In an environment such as this, it is the members with no age that "raise my eyebrows" the most.

It is an "instant suggestion" of dishonesty - or, something "hidden"... ( that should not be hidden )

It is my "general policy" to "ignore" members-with-no-age as 'non-existant'. As a rule, I do not make replies to their posts, or 'like' their posts. Why? Because -- the way I think about it -- if they are not honest enough to tell others their Gender and Age -- I don't really care to deal with them.

Every thing else about them may reasonably be determined to be "protected" by anonymity. And, I am fine with that. However, these two 'critical' pieces of information about a person -- I feel -- should be openly and honestly revealed.

These two pieces of information about a person - in of themselves - will not endanger anyone.

Everything else is optional. I just don't see why these two things are optional - or, should even be allowed to be optional - in an environment such as this.

In an environment such as this - with specific regard to these two things - "politeness goes out the window" - every member deserves to know these two things about every other member.

So -- I am just wondering -- why does there seem to be an increasing expansion of members with no age?

Why this is happening?

Has anyone seriously considered the far-reaching effects of such a trend?

Personally, I think it is setting up a psychological growth-medium for dishonesty and mistrust.

After all -- if a bunch of Christians cannot be honest about expressing their Gender and Age...

Food for thought?

OOPS!

Why is this happening?

hmmm

i dunno


but you got me thinkin

maybe i should hide my age

lol

I just recently joined and had to put in my age. I don't know why anyone would want to hide their age anyway.. any reasonable reason that is

I've noticed that some of the brand new members sometimes just post once so they can see what we say. And they usually want raw answers without any restraint so they don't put up their age or gender, or something like that... But they usually do this because they are not Christians and they want to hear what we say, or they are Christians and they just want to feel out the crowd before they actually commit to being a part of the forum. Granted, knowing their age or gender would probably help us answer them better...

But for those people who ask only one question, it's very important we speak with them no matter what, especially if we give just the right answer. It could lead them to salvation.

With the people that have been here for awhile but don't list their age or gender, I don't know.

People 'commit' when they create an account.


Absolutely.


I understand this; however, in the "bigger picture" -- it is reasonable to assume that the absolute majority of people read for a while to check out the site before deciding to create an account on it. By that time, the invested interest should be enough such that they would be willing to reveal their gender and age. If they are truly "distressed" - and, in need of an answer -- do you really think they will care if we know what their age is?

To conceal your gender or age in an environment such as this - in my view - is blatent-dishonesty-at-work - on some level...

And, is especially true when it takes some "extra" effort to achieve it.

While I prefer seeing age/gender, to assume someone is not being genuine and are, by default, dishonest, is quite a judgmental attitude.
Perhaps some people don't want to have their age listed for cultural reasons? Many women do not like sharing their age, so perhaps that's all it is.
Just because you can't fathom valid reasons does not mean they don't exist. So to treat people negativly because they don't care to give you personal information does not indicate they are a troll or being deceitful. That you automatically think that says more about you than them.

Okay, okay...I admit it. I'm really a 216 year old anteater. Fine. You've outted me.

The only thing that I am assuming is the probability factor. The only thing that I am judging ( for myself ) is that I do not wish to deal with people who are unwilling to reveal their gender and age. And, as I already said, I am fine with the idea of everything else being optional. I just think that it is perfectly reasonable to expect someone to willingly reveal those two specific things. ( in an environment such as this )


So then -- I am asking the question as to what legitimate reasons exist for such...?


And, as I stated before, that is understandable and acceptable in-person -- but, not in an environment such as this.


( This is the favorite PC argument. )

Then how about telling me some...

Tell me something I don't know. I am already well aware of the 'factual' nature of your statement.

Not knowing any valid reasons yourself -- why are you defending it? It is only [ truly ] defendable if valid reasons can be stated...


If you are in a big room with a lot of people ( say, at a party ) -- and, one of them pays no attention to you ( and, perhaps - you do not even realize it ) -- have they really [ actually ] "treated you negatively"...???

I am not saying people should have to post their address and phone number.

If someone by-passes the normal function of the site sign-up protocol, are they lying or being deceptive / deceitful?


I don't automatically think that. However, anyone who is willing to "go out of their way" to hide their gender or age ( in an environment such as this ) -- well, something is wrong somewhere!

What it says about me is that I have the ability to discern when the intents and motives of people do not line up with those necessary things of honesty and integrity that common sense and mutual respect between individuals demands. ( i.e. - "What 'Golden Rule' do you live by?" )

BTW - your reply says a lot about you, too!

How do you hide your gender when the colour of your username is based on gender?

You can't unless you sign up under the opposite gender..