Gransnet is for grandparents. Let's keep it that way

mrsnonsmoker

I think the take that a woman in her 60s/70s+ has on things will be very specific so I prefer to come here when I have age related questions. I don't think a 30 year old on MN would understand. Men - well to be honest there's hardly ever going to be one, so sort of cross that bridge if we come to it?!

That bridge has been crossed many times, and there is quite a bit of traffic on it - there have always been men brave enough to post on Gransnet. Their input is welcomed. It is good to have various viewpoints on the threads, it stops it becoming just an echo chamber for the voices of old women.

Some female posters get a bit overheated about keeping men out. Do they have NO men in their lives, anywhere at all, or had in the past? No husbands, sons, brothers, sons-in-law, friends, husbands of friends, neighbours, colleagues, bus or taxi drivers, doctors, dentists? do they refuse to chat with these people when they are in their company? Are they living in a closed order nunnery? Men and women have overlapping interests, they both have partners and some have children and grandchildren, they live in houses, drive cars, go to work, shop, cook, eat, and do housework, and have hobbies. They have opinions on lots of subjects, including politics. They face problems with relationships, get ill, lose loved ones to death, dementia or estrangement.

The men who have joined and contributed (there are several currently posting who have been here for a long time) have almost all been an asset to the site. The occasional exception who is only here to be obnoxious soon gets the order of the boot.

Moat relevant to Gransnet - men (particularly retired ones) like to chat to others about all these things just as much as women, and exchange views, stories and advice. Gransnet has always said that they are primarily for grandPARENTS and the over-50s, not just for grandmothers, but that younger people are welcome too. If someone joins without knowing that, it is made clear on the site.

"I don't want to read posts from young people or, dare I say it, men actually. I just want to read posts from other grans." Sorry Skydancer, I do not agree.

Are you saying that a younger person who might have concerns for their elderly relatives has no right to join Gransnet and ask for advice or opinions?

Are you saying that men don't need help or support or they don't have a heartwarming or funny story to share?

Are you saying that only Grandmothers over a certain age can join in with or start a discussion on Gransnet? It is a known fact that men, of all ages, just don't 'talk' enough.

If anyone, regardless of age or sex needs help, support, guidance or simply has the same to share with others then they should be welcomed.

Skydancer

I enjoy GN. I have found very helpful advice on here because, in the main, it is used by people roughly the same as myself. I am a grandparent and I am old. I don't want to read posts from young people or, dare I say it, men actually. I just want to read posts from other grans. Anyone else feel the same?

Absolutely not. Being able to hear different perspectives is a valuable thing, imo

Sometimes,often it’s good to look at life from a different perspective and younger people..childless people will do that.Otherwisewe,ll. e stuck with a fair few folk who are firmly stuck in the past..or the past as they think it was
Change is inevitable so embrace it I reckon there’s a lot of folk who find some of my views offensive.I would hope they think about them before dismissing them/me.

When Gransnet first started over 13 years ago there were a number of men contributors but gradually, for one reason or another, they disappeared. (Probably frightened off by some of the more vociferous lady members!) I’m all for having contributions from grandads, great grandads, step grandads, Uncle Tom Cobbly an’ ‘aw. Why not.

I love the wide age range on GN.

My teenage GD sat with me one day while I was reading a thread to do with things GNs remembered from years ago. She only has one great-gran, who isn't very forthcoming these days, and to her it was like a history lesson. I had to explain a lot of it to her - like icicles inside the window, it's something she has never known.

My AD sometimes looks at the crafty section - she's an embroiderer mainly, but is always blown away by the knitted toys so she may venture in that direction at some point.

Disagree.
I very much enjoy reading the opinions of people of my own age group which are often refreshingly robust and straightforward. There are a lot of well-informed posters on this site and many discussions are rigorously argued.
There is also a great variety of topics available so non-grandparents can certainly contribute.
Also there is a lot of light-hearted fun.
The site should be for anyone who wishes to use it.

I think Skydancer makes a valid point. I thought this was forum predominantly for grandmothers. Where is the harm in that? It doesn’t mean that contributors have closed minds to other points of view or that the views of grandmothers need the input of others to be valid.

I like predominantly women spaces on the internet as they are quite rare.

I agree with everyone here , I am quite happy for anyone to contribute to GN . Lots of people need advice single or not , male or female , parent/ GP or not . Sorry Skydancer but you are in the minority. We must be inclusive.

I enjoy this site because it is mostly a community of women over the age of 50. I'm not opposed to anyone else joining in the discussion, but just think they wouldn't find similar topics and soon depart, or wouldn't be regulars.

I also go onto mumsnet, more for the heavier traffic and broader discussions (and the drama is entertaining!)

The same point of view could be said for this being a UK only website... others like me have found it, but can't join in all discussions because lack of knowledge or interest. I wish there was a similar Canadian site, but there isn't.

I moved here from MN quite a few years ago but I still look at both.

A lot of younger people value older people's opinions so I think all should be welcomed.

It will mainly appeal to older people whether they have children, grandchildren or not due to what tends to be discussed but is open to all to contribute if they like.

Marmin

One 66 year old Grandad here. I stick to games and the odd food thread. I read many of the threads but have found that contributing to more contentious topics such as politics rarely ends in consensus or tolerance. I largely enjoy the forum.

Hey Marmin,
I also like the games but don't think I am actually that good at some of them.
I also get stuck into news and politics on occasion but need to lie down in a dark room afterwards.
x

sodapop, I agree. It’s like reading the newspaper if you don’t want to read something you just skip it.

Skydancer it’s sparked lots of debate which surely is the spirit of gransnet!

No I don’t Skydancer . I’m a mum and 66 but not a gran yet, I also have an 89 yo mum . I’m also retired, so I fit a lot of the criteria and find many of the post very interesting and relevant to me . I’m also interested in the views of others whoever they are .

I agree with others on here, Gransnet should be inclusive, I too would like to hear from more Grandfathers. It's quite easy to skip posts or threads which don't interest you.

One 66 year old Grandad here. I stick to games and the odd food thread. I read many of the threads but have found that contributing to more contentious topics such as politics rarely ends in consensus or tolerance. I largely enjoy the forum.

Cossy

I’m afraid I have to disagree, I’m happy to engage with anyone one here, irrespective of gender or age or whether they have grandchildren (or children) or not All are welcome

Agreed.

We'd children younger than some and GC at 40. There is no age limit for people to natter on, imo - always something to learn.

Well I’m clearly outnumbered!

I would love to hear from grandfathers, my OH isn't interested, when I asked why he just shrugged and said that it must be full of grandmas and one older woman telling him what to do is enough.

Yes MaizieD on the N & P , but I’m sure there was one who posted on the Relatiobship or the Estrangement Forum

nonsmoker and what about those in their eighties and possibly nineties,. We have views too.

I think GN should be for all people of a certain age whether they have GCs or not, but have to admit that I don't see that this site would benefit younger people, and tbh there are plenty of social forums for their age group and not so many for older people.
But if a younger person came on the site would be as friendly as per. There could be a specific question they want to ask about their own grandparents.