Why do young non-grandparents frequent Gransnet?

Like others, I also have friend of all ages, and don't see older or younger ones as 'the other side' or expect them to have 'alternative' views - sometimes they have a different perspective because of life experiences, but on the whole people are individuals with minds of their own*.

I have no issue with 'younger non-grans' except when they use their comparative youth as a stick to beat us with (which not all do, of course).

Ageism is rife on Mumsnet and is getting worse on here, and is not picked up on often enough IMO. Comments about people thinking as they do because they are old, or that a point of view is held by younger people so must be more valuable just because of that are lazy and reductive, whether they are said by older or younger people.

I'm sure that there will be younger people on here who don't shout about it, too. It's only when it is used as a badge of honour that anyone knows, unless there is a thread asking for personal details and someone points out that they are only 32.

*Having said that, I can understand younger people wanting to see how MILs think, for example. I don't see my DIL as being 'the other side', but I do read threads on MN about MILs and notice the sorts of thing that annoys DILs so that I can avoid doing them if possible. IL relationships seem to be much more fraught than they used to be, and it is instructive to learn how to avoid potential conflict. Being a MIL is a learning curve, and I think that is sometimes forgotten.

Why not ?
I have friends in all age groups and enjoy the different view points and experiences they have to tell and share.
I first became a Grandparent at 48 and that DGS will be 21 on Thursday.

The more input we have by a variety of people the more interesting and vital Gransnet will remain. We have discussions on so many topics which affect us all. Age and whether we have children or grandchildren is irrelevant.

I’m sure some do it to get an alternative perspective, the interaction is much less combative and direct compared to Mumsnet, yet the issues are very similar.

We also have older people on here who are not grans.
They are welcome here!

for the wisdom, experience and kindness that comes with age

Why do some Gransnet members (whose children are now adults) go on Mumsnnet? And mums go on sites for children?

Maybe because lives aren't in boxes and our thoughts and ideas straddle different things. We want to know what the "other side" thinks or ask what the other age group used to do - or discover if they all have similar thoughts on something - and what the concensus might be...

They may want to put an alternative view. They may think their insight can help someone older understand something.

Our life experience as mothers 30 plus years ago is different to mums now - and as M0nica says they may want the opinion of 'grandparents and the over 50s' on problems in their lives.

I think you may as well ask why do any of us use the site.

To find out what their grannies are saying about them

Activists or an attempt to garner sympathy.

😂 softer touch!

Well I was a granny at 46 so I would of been reading this if it had been around then!

Because of our lovely personalities the depth of our knowledge, our life experience and because they think we might be a softer touch than some other sites.

I used to too before I became a grandparent.
I didnt join though, just read.
And wouldnt have been as young as some who come here.

I welcome them.
As Elegran says, real life is different to here or any site, that I think in some ways tries to limit the ages and demographic of it's users.

In "real life" people don't stick rigidly to those of exactly their own vintage. They socialise freely across generations, and enjoy exchanging views on all kinds of subjects with othrs of all ages and backgrounds. We have experienced conditions and attitudes which differ from those prevailing today, and perhaps for that reason out reactions are worth hearing to younger people?

A number come on because they want the opinion of 'grandparents and the over 50s' on problems in their lives. or to explain the behaviour of other people in our age group