PG v. Mature - Unsettling stereotype?

In a recent thread started by Jellin, titled "Concerning the new mature sims", there was a very disturbing stereotype and broad generalization revealed, and these are that mature sims are vulgar, messy, and chaotic, that they are 'red -light districts', that one can roam about and discover giant posters of genitalia to offend the eye, and more.

On my first 15minutes into SL I stopped to fix my looks at Cloey Sunchasers house in Da Boom. I had no clue there were sim ratings. I stayed in the area because everyone I met was very nice, helpful and mature. In fact, I noticed that anywhere I went nearly everyone I have ever met in world fit that description of nice, helpful and mature - regardless of sim rating.

I stayed in Mature sims in my first 2 weeks for one reason, i found it first and thought it best to learn my first area before spreading out. I never saw anything vulgar, and never thought the area was a red-light district or that its general architecture was any more or less chaotic or messy than any other sim (save brown, boardman and such places).

Why do you choose to negatively label the mature sims and universalize your own negative experiences as if they should be held as general facts by the rest?

Perhaps in RL you do not agree with such behavior that "mature" connotates but this is Second Life, why bring bitterness or prejudice to what is ultimately the experience you make it.

I know the names of most of the mature sims off the top of my head, but can name far fewer PG sims and I never once thought of this difference being related to some negative stereotype associated with PG sims.

This stereotype is unsettling, and I hardly think my neighbors can ever be defined with those adjectives. Torrid, Marilyn, Cloey, Cricket & Nick, Siobhan, Cristiano, Darzus, Duck, Odalisque, Mistress, Devynn, Nephilaine & Neil, Rebeccah, and the list goes on are all wonderful people who are and have been my neighbors and I can hardly consider them vulgar or messy or chaotic and all of the m have beautiful structures inthe world.

Such a horrible stereotype to stick on the home of your friends. SL is for friends, not for quarrels, petty disagreements and personal prejudices.

Ok, im ready for the hate posts and negative ratings in world i guess.

Briana Dawson

Briana,

I wouldn't expect anything. I think the subject was thoroughly covered and people are beginning to realize that there is value in both PG and M rated sims, and that M by definition is not a bad thing.

You still have to respect your your neighbors, just like anywhere in the world. Anything that might be deemed "offensive" has to be inside your build. I think giant penis sculputures on the landscape prompted that rule, lol. I have found the mature sims are pretty pedestrian for the most part. I do agree the mature sims have an unfair stereotype these days.

Juro's right. New Mature sims are no threat to established PG Sims. It's extremely doubtful existing sims would become M-rated without the usual process of the inhabitants voting (and even that won't change it for the near future; see the Announcements). New Mature sims will have to be entirely new sims. There can't be complaints of favoritism because of the massive disproportion of PG to M sims that stands now.

A cursory examination of Mature sims will show they are virtually indistinguishable from PG sims in terms of build quality, content, and the behavior of their residents. The appeal of Mature sims rests primarily in the additional freedoms they allow, not necessarily in the exercise of those freedoms.

Bottom line: more Mature sims are coming. Yay.

Very well stated Briana! You were a great neighbor until our common problem forced you away, but I am so happy that club vogue is going nowhere.. =)

I think in mature and pg there are tasteful and non-tasteful, "a time and a place for everything", sort of attitudes that need to be considered. When you throw a diverse group of individuals together, what is created is a diverse world. The tastes, morals, attitudes, and presentations are going to vary greatly. And personally I'm all for that.

I once attended an "Erotic Artist Exhibit Event" at the Bhodi Tree Gallery in Jessie, where I saw put into art a valuable lesson. I hang the picture of it in my Boutique to this day.

At this event, an artist had dressed a female up (not using names right now, for sake of argument). She was in shorts, stockings, high heels, great makeup.. generally looked wonderful. Across her chest was a gun pasted to her bosom.

The artwork was titled "Bare Arms on Bare Breasts". It was in protest to the fact that violent weapons are allowed in PG sims, but a naked female breast is not.

It does give food for thought don't you think?

Mature sims serve their purpose. Just as PG sims serve theirs. There will always be issues with each because we are a diverse community. It will always be this way, and I for one am happy for that. I mean, who knows who we shall educate?

Well said Briana When I first was deciding where to buy land in SL I knew right away I wanted to be in a mature sim. Why? Because I'm mature, hehe. I figured that the M sims would probably draw older players. I have no idea if that turned out to be the case or not. Mostly I just like being able to talk the way I do with my friends in RL without having to worry about censoring myself. But even in the M sims I don't cuss like a sailor around people I've just met. Consideration doesn't vanish at the border. I'm still living on that same plot of land that I bought on my 2nd or 3rd day. I've never regretted the decision.

just to add my two cents, i live in a mature sim and i haven't found the other people's behavior any worse...or any better...than pg sims. it's just different in some ways. i feel claustrophobic in pg sims because you never know when a bad word might slip out and offend someone and i get paranoid when i have to change clothes, especially dragging whole lag-causing folders onto myself. mature sims feel more relaxed and free. like somebody else said there are just more options even if you aren't always taking them.