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From:
Subject: [Lon] Re: Age Difference on Census
Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2002 18:22:04 EST


Dear Listers,
I really believe that most of the differences between actual and
stated ages were due to age discrimination, either real or perceived to keep
a job and not to be seen as much older or younger than the spouse.

It is true that people were more illiterate in times past. But kids always
know their birthdays as it is a big event for them, I certainly did in the
1940s. Were kids so much different then? True they may not have the lavish
gifts that kids of today seem to get, but still, even in the war years in the
40s there was some sort of celebration.

Age discrimination or conformity? I have one rellie who said she was 30 when
she married a 47 year old widower. Actually she was 23! They started a family
and had about eight children.

David (Beecham) USA-PA ex Brum.

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