Doing some research for a website.

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[ytgleo]

Hello All,
   I am currently in the process of building a resource for Pagan Teens, youngtreegrove.org. While the educational content of the site is being provided by various contributors (I am mainly working as a coordinator, web master, and occasional writer); I would really enjoy hearing from others in the Community about what they would enjoy "having".

In essence, the site focuses around "Foundations" material, what anybody interested in Paganism will most likely want to know, but it will also feature more detailed information for those who have chosen to follow a Pagan path and are looking to expand their knowledge base. The site also contains membership capabilities, private messaging, user profiles, and similar features.

Moving on, I would like to know what you would like to see on a site that's focused towards teens, what sort of information do you want/need, what sort of features?

I look forward to seeing your responses.

Never Thirst
Leo

[Vella Malachite]

Moving on, I would like to know what you would like to see on a site that's focused towards teens, what sort of information do you want/need, what sort of features?

Personally, I don't think it should be too different to a site for adults information-wise.  Don't try to simplify information too much.  Layman's terms are OK to an extent - that is, until it starts affecting the quality of the information, and make sure the proper terms are supplied and defined - but teens are not children.  We're probably smart enough to figure out a lot of stuff.

Also, I'd try not to assume that teens have complete freedom and autonomy, because the simple fact is, most of us don't have a huge source of income, and most of us still rely on others for modes of transport, and have to report back to an authority figure about what we're doing when.  So give information that's relevant to when autonomy eventually comes around, but also provide things like simplified rituals, alternatives to items that can be difficult to come by, some information about 'bargaining' or 'negotiating' with relevant authority figures and make sure there's a good support system - teenage years can be stressful enough without having a base of support for one's religious system.

Hope that helps; happy to clarify anything I didn't explain properly.

[ytgleo]

Personally, I don't think it should be too different to a site for adults information-wise.  Don't try to simplify information too much.  Layman's terms are OK to an extent - that is, until it starts affecting the quality of the information, and make sure the proper terms are supplied and defined - but teens are not children.  We're probably smart enough to figure out a lot of stuff.


Hope that helps; happy to clarify anything I didn't explain properly.

Agreed, I don't believe it should be dumbed down, or simplified, and none of the content thus far for the site has been written that way. I think most teens are more than capable of understand, but there may be some topic that they have been looking for to be addressed, and they haven't quite found it.

Ah the joy of moving, one small paragraph and then off to load another box.

NT
Leo

[Darkhawk]

In essence, the site focuses around "Foundations" material, what anybody interested in Paganism will most likely want to know, but it will also feature more detailed information for those who have chosen to follow a Pagan path and are looking to expand their knowledge base. The site also contains membership capabilities, private messaging, user profiles, and similar features.

What I wanted to know when I was a teen but didn't know how to find or that existed:

- Information on pagan religions other than Wicca and Reclaiming, specifically pagan religions that were not religious witchcraft
- How to make transition from Wicca 101 books to meaningful practice (in my case that required dropping the Wicca 101 thing entirely, hence my first point)
- Basic arguably common-sense things like "If doing this stuff makes you feel like an idiot, maybe you should be doing different stuff"

Probably this sums up as "Pointers to the existence of a larger world than neo-Wicca" and "Help making the transition from the 'Ooh, shiny!' stage to 'No, this is a real thing that I'm doing' stage."

[ytgleo]

What I wanted to know when I was a teen but didn't know how to find or that existed:

- Information on pagan religions other than Wicca and Reclaiming, specifically pagan religions that were not religious witchcraft
- How to make transition from Wicca 101 books to meaningful practice (in my case that required dropping the Wicca 101 thing entirely, hence my first point)
- Basic arguably common-sense things like "If doing this stuff makes you feel like an idiot, maybe you should be doing different stuff"

Probably this sums up as "Pointers to the existence of a larger world than neo-Wicca" and "Help making the transition from the 'Ooh, shiny!' stage to 'No, this is a real thing that I'm doing' stage."

Interesting points. I do agree, I am working to get contributors from as many traditions as possible to contribute content, I don't want the sight to be "mainly Wiccan" (or anything else).

I think a lot of teens go to Wicca originally because it's the most well known for the most part, and they either ignore that there are other Pagan faiths or they simply don't know.

I also agree that people need to know how they can expand on the 101 teachings.

NT
Leo

[Darkhawk]

I think a lot of teens go to Wicca originally because it's the most well known for the most part, and they either ignore that there are other Pagan faiths or they simply don't know.

Yeah, that was my problem: I didn't know there was anything else, except for maybe Asatru, which I knew nothing about other than "It's Norse".

[ytgleo]

Yeah, that was my problem: I didn't know there was anything else, except for maybe Asatru, which I knew nothing about other than "It's Norse".

Thanks for some great input!

[Willowe]

Moving on, I would like to know what you would like to see on a site that's focused towards teens, what sort of information do you want/need, what sort of features?

What about links to other sites, book recommendations, or just other ways for people to get information? It's a good idea to have a site describing various things but unless a person knows where to go next or what exactly they should be looking for their a bit limited in their research. On the other side of things, maybe authors or sites that don't provide good info so teens know what/who to avoid?

On a different note, I don't think it would be a good idea to include any sort of collection of spells or specific rituals. There are a lot of other sites for that and I have the feeling that some (not all!) teens would see that and go "Ooh, fun!" and get "distracted" by them, so to speak. Tips for writing their own, sure, but not ones that are just provided for them.

[ytgleo]

What about links to other sites, book recommendations, or just other ways for people to get information? It's a good idea to have a site describing various things but unless a person knows where to go next or what exactly they should be looking for their a bit limited in their research. On the other side of things, maybe authors or sites that don't provide good info so teens know what/who to avoid?

On a different note, I don't think it would be a good idea to include any sort of collection of spells or specific rituals. There are a lot of other sites for that and I have the feeling that some (not all!) teens would see that and go "Ooh, fun!" and get "distracted" by them, so to speak. Tips for writing their own, sure, but not ones that are just provided for them.

Yep, I am working to build a good Resources area with links to "good" sites and recommended reading lists. I'm also encouraging contributors to place some information on how people can expand upon their topic.

I've found some excellent articles on examining content and critical thinking that I'd enjoy placing on the site so visitors can learn more about how to explore on their own.

I agree, there are already listings out there for that sort of purpose. I'm looking at some simple things, like consecration type spells to go aside the tool creation area.

Good input.

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