Age and accepting trans people?

[Jared]

So I'll have a date with a girl who's 17. I have no idea if I want anything from her but I guess I'll know if I meet her. I started thinking if age has something to do with tolerance and accepting? I think older (not much) people would react better but there are always exceptions. What are your thoughts on this? (I'll just add that I'm just a bit over 20 so you won't think I'm a pervert  )

[ReubenIsTheName]

I have noticed that younger people, especially those in my generation (17+), or a bit younger, are generally more accepting of trans* people than, say, my parents' generation (40+).  It makes me glad that my generation is growing up to be one of the most accepting yet.  Knowing that we'll be the leaders and examples of the younger generations makes me hopeful for the future, to be honest.  I know that there are always exceptions to such age rules, but, as a whole, I've found more acceptance in younger people than in the older ones as far as when I come out to them.

[Athena]

The youth today tend to grow up with more acceptance and tolerance then previous generations. Also younger people are more apt to change their opinions based on new information.

[Bimmer Guy]

The youth today tend to grow up with more acceptance and tolerance then previous generations. Also younger people are more apt to change their opinions based on new information.

I agree with the above.

Also, in my state, if you are 18 or older, it is illegal to date a girl 17 or younger.  You should check the laws in your state before you take her out.  You don't want to piss off her parents and she may be lying to them about your age.

[Ms Grace]

It's probably an age thing rather than a generational thing. At 48 myself I knew lots of people my age at 18 who were pretty open minded back then but not anywhere near as much any more. As people age they invariably gravitate towards things they find less challenging and safer, and for some they grow and strengthen their prejudices, etc. Some young people though can also be incredibly intolerant, usually because they picked it up off their relatives.

[Jess42]

Well from an old MTF. I think that the younger generations are more accepting. But then my thinking may be kind of messed up because there seem to be a lot of older guys that are into MTFs I think it depends on the person. So Jared, if she is into you good for you hon. But she is 17 and you are 20? Just be careful with whatever state you are in. Meet her parents and all that stuff and let them get to know you too.

[Jared]

That's cool everyone thinks younger people are more tolerant. I remember being bullied back in high school, but not in college, so that's why I thought that. And I remember at that age itt matters to people what others think of them. I'm skeptical about this date anyway, I'll turn 23 this month and this seems to be much to me right now. The worst thing could be, we don't even like each other that much, which isn't that bad at all.
Thanks for the warnings, but I'm in Europe and as far as I remember we're not allowed to date people younger than 14. Even dating is ok, having sex isn't.

[Athena]

Bullying just becomes more refined as people age is all.

[Bimmer Guy]

That's cool everyone thinks younger people are more tolerant. I remember being bullied back in high school, but not in college, so that's why I thought that. And I remember at that age itt matters to people what others think of them. I'm skeptical about this date anyway, I'll turn 23 this month and this seems to be much to me right now. The worst thing could be, we don't even like each other that much, which isn't that bad at all.
Thanks for the warnings, but I'm in Europe and as far as I remember we're not allowed to date people younger than 14. Even dating is ok, having sex isn't.

Oh, I think I understand.  When you say what younger people think, you mean teenagers.  Yes, teenagers are immature and care about what their friends think.  If you dated a woman closer to your age, you would have a better chance of her thinking for herself and not caring what her friends think about her dating a transguy.

[Taka]

i think the greatest danger with a girl who's that young, is that you might influence her too much. can happens if she becomes infatuated and hasn't yet gone through the whole finding herself process.

my brother's ex was only 15 when they started dating, and when he ended up having to break up with her after 23 years, she had no idea what to do because he'd defined her and her life too much. he'd become like a part of her that she still doesn't really know how to manage without.

acceptance will depend on her personality, friends, previous knowledge, exposure to bigots, family, and lots more that you can't really know about. she might love the thought of having a unique boyfriend with a big secret, or it might nearly scare her to death. you'll easily find both types in the same classroom.

[kelly_aus]

I haven't found age to be a factor in acceptance - except for one area of my life and even that is hit and miss.

[Sir Real]

I haven't found age to be a factor in acceptance - except for one area of my life and even that is hit and miss.

Same here.  I've had people across the board who have been both accepting and not accepting. 

[Jared]

Oh, I think I understand.  When you say what younger people think, you mean teenagers.  Yes, teenagers are immature and care about what their friends think.  If you dated a woman closer to your age, you would have a better chance of her thinking for herself and not caring what her friends think about her dating a transguy.

Yes exactly. I aggree with you. She seems more mature to her age, I guess I'll see how things turn out.

i think the greatest danger with a girl who's that young, is that you might influence her too much. can happens if she becomes infatuated and hasn't yet gone through the whole finding herself process.

my brother's ex was only 15 when they started dating, and when he ended up having to break up with her after 23 years, she had no idea what to do because he'd defined her and her life too much. he'd become like a part of her that she still doesn't really know how to manage without.

acceptance will depend on her personality, friends, previous knowledge, exposure to bigots, family, and lots more that you can't really know about. she might love the thought of having a unique boyfriend with a big secret, or it might nearly scare her to death. you'll easily find both types in the same classroom.

I never thought about that yet. They were together for so long, it must be why I think.
Yeah I'm sure about the last sentence :'D


Thanks for all the answers, it's really interesting for me to read your experiences 

[aleon515]

 I think kids tend to more tolerant. I have heard stats with right wing Republican right wing Christian kids, and they are very LGBT friendly and open on religion and culture.

That said, you'd think maybe I might have had a LOT of trouble at my advanced age . But this is not at all the case. I have been very accepted such as by employees and so on. I only lost 1-2 friends (one I don't actually think it was being trans) but it was coincidental. I've also been accepted in places of business and that sort of thing.

--Jay

[Jared]

Jay, that's cool, you're accepted mostly Seems like people respect you, awesome. I'm accepted too by the people who know, but no one knows under 20 I guess, so have not much idea about that generation's reaction. Thanks for the comments guys, seems positive

[aleon515]

My friends are mostly liberal (and were beforehand). Actually have gained a lot of friends in the trans community. And I socialize with folks from around 35 and up. Yeah I think I am respected. It's a great thing.

I wouldn't say I didn't lose any friends. It was very hard at the time. I have had people that had trouble initially and then "came back" so to speak. Might have been a bit of an advantage to me in a weird way but my parents have been deceased a long time. I kind of wonder how they would have taken it. But my mother was an accepting sort.

I do have a couple friends with parents in their 80s-90s who have accepted their transitions.

--Jay