I'm ony 10 years old.

[retyopy]

Or let's say, hypothetically, that I was. Does that lessen the value of my opinion? Does that make my part in a discussion less worthwhile?

Let me explain. For reasons that have gradually been lost to mankind, I was thinking about age. This eventaully led to me thinking about the value of a ten year olds opinion, which eventaully led to this discussion: Does age lessen the value of opinions/the worth of their part in an argument or discussion? And I'm not talking about teenagers. I'm talking about 10-12 year olds, those idiotic little twerps that continue to call me a gay nazi ****** who sleeps with his dog(there beinng several problems with that statement, one that gay people were persecuted by the nazis, and two that I don't have a dog).

And you might say, 'It doesn't, but no ten year olds are going to put together a valid argument.' That is wrong. I have spoken to ten year olds that could hold their own in a debate with their parents. I was a ten year old like that. But apparently, age is the factor that decides how much your opinion is worth, and age can totally be used against you as an insult.

And no, I'm not 10. How could you think that? I'm 9! (By the way, that was me making a funny. So don't murder me. I was joking.)

 

[honestdiscussioner]

Or let's say, hypothetically, that I was. Does that lessen the value of my opinion?

Nope. Not correctly anyway. People will, however, look for any excuse to dismiss an opinion they don't like, so if a young person says something that fits into that category, they will use that as an easy excuse.

 

[Richardplex]

No, it doesn't. It might influence your opinions, for example, the lack of experience (though that matters very little) but nothing that would lessen the value of your opinion, to me. When I played wow, it was always the youngest in my guilds that were the most mature, so I've learnt to ignore age.

 

[teh_Canape]

usually, experience is something that is rather heavily considered, which, obviously, means more than 10 years old

but it really depends, depends on how you're expressing yourself and how well you're informed

you could be 10 years old and talking sense, therefore people would in fact, positively affect how others see your opinion, even if you're squeaky voiced

if you're talking out of your ass, the being 10 years old and squeaky voiced will drag you even lower

 

[Rastien]

10 year olds are full of shit, then again lots of other people are... let them have there say!

Wait what am i saying, age is relevant as you have experience on your side so can form a more balanced and well thought out argument (in most cases) i guess /shrug

 

[angel34]

By the age of 10 I had finished metal gear solid 1 - 3 and could talk for ages about how them, so no I don't think a young persons opinion should be ignored because of age. It's true you get some 10 year olds trying to debate something they don't know about in a immature way, but you also get 30 year olds doing the same thing.

 

[King of the Sandbox]

You can participate in intelligent discussions no problem. However, if it becomes decision making crunch time, though, no. But only for lack of experience.

I was a very 'mature' kid myself, but I still wouldn't trust myself at that age to drive. Kids are subject to batshit crazy impulses because they haven't completely accepted they're not invulnerable yet. I at my current age, however, realize through trial and error over the years, that yes, I could possibly, in fact, die. As such, I make wiser decisions to continue that trend.

Even 10 year old smart me would probably think jumping a car over a river on a whim would be a viable idea, because the math seemed right at a glance.

 

[retyopy]

Don't you have to be 13 to sign up for an account here?

Also, 10 year olds haven't lived long enough/experienced enough/learned enough to have much of an opinion that I would consider worthwhile.

I'd love to meet one that proves me wrong, but I'll bet a dollar I won't anytime soon, if ever.

I.Was.Making.A.FUNNY!

 

[Ba22crow]

The age itself doesn't, but it makes people quicker to dismiss you, if you aren't clearly close to the same intellectual level as them. And parents tend to ignore their children?s opinions until a certain age anyway.

 

[Last Hugh Alive]

It depends on the topic. A 10 year old's thoughts on, say, a game is just as valid as any other person's opinion. But if we're discussing something that relates to real world experiences or general adult stuff, then you have to question the 10 year old's knowledge and credibility in the discussion.

And generally they aren't as sophisticated, intelligent or educated enough to hold much weight in certain discussions.

 

[intheweeds]

I don't think it matters all the time, some ten year olds have very well thought out opinions. However, there are many who just 'don't get it' yet, yes due to their age and maturity level. I reserve judgment until after i have heard the opinion, if it is valid and intelligent on a web forum, you wouldn't know they're age anyway. On the other hand, it's very clear when you get a response from an immature ten year old that they are obviously in the ballpark of ten years old.

 

[GigaHz]

Don't you have to be 13 to sign up for an account here, or any website?

Also, 10 year olds haven't lived long enough/experienced enough/learned enough to have much of an opinion that I would consider worthwhile.

I'd love to meet one that proves me wrong, but I'll bet a dollar I won't anytime soon, if ever.

Very much this.

Sure, there are exceptions like certified geniuses but one would have to question their genius if they went around broadcasting that they are 10 years old.

For the average case though, 10 year olds are fairly oblivious to what goes on in the real world. All experience they can draw from stems from what they are able to digest on the internet, how they were raised, what they expose themselves in their real lives and school.

They just don't have the maturity level to properly digest and interpret the intricacies of life... Then again, I could say that about some adults I know.

 

[Random Encounter]

Most ten years olds don't have the life experience or simply arn't that smart yet. Although I will repect a ten year olds opinion if it proves to be intellectual.

 

[O maestre]

being ten means you have less experience, as well as an underdeveloped brain in terms of maturity... from ages 0-5 humans are barely competent....so in a way you could say that a ten year old has only had a conscious existence for five measly years. not only that but it is safe to assume that ten year old's are not that well informed, given that they rarely think about anything outside their immediate surroundings.

i cannot see which subject, if any i would be able to have a stimulating and engaging discussion with a ten year old.... forgive me for sounding pretentious but there are not even enough people my age that i find competent enough to formulate a proper opinion.... but at least i can talk about tits with them, which i do all the time of course XD (i think the all the credence in my statement has disappeared)

long story short, i cant relate to a ten year old.. our world views are not even complementary.

 

[Samwise137]

Some of my middle school students bring up points at the lunch table that I frequently find myself posting here afterwards. A good opinion is a good opinion period.

 

[-Samurai-]

No. Your opinion is only valid or less valid if you know what you're talking about.

If they're giving their opinion of a tv show they watch or a song they heard, or even serious things like their schools effectiveness to teach them and their ability to learn, then sure, it counts.

However, a childs opinion of the current job market carries no weight.

So, I'd say that their opinion is more likely to be considered when the thing they're giving their opinion on is something they've dealt with personally, or is a subject in which they posses some knowledge.

However, the same could be said for all people. Your opinion is less valid if you have no idea what you're talking about.