Teh Spiffeh Serena! - Linden Lab

I can't speak on behalf of all the volunteers as to their reasons for endorsing the current policy but I know that the reason I've expressed here is well represented among them and is the basis for my support of the policy. If the avatar really doesn't matter, as you suggest, and is nothing but pixels then is seems there would be no problem re: child avatars at the TRC since folks wouldn't mind changing their avatars to accommodate our policy. It seems clear to me, however, that the reason why Second Life is so compelling to many of its residents, and to so many transgendered individuals in particular, is because we identify very strongly with our avatars and see them as expressions of our true selves. I believe that this is also the case for many of those who present as child avatars which is why they are so passionate in defense of their community, a sentiment which I greatly respect. It is precisely this strong sense of identity in both communities, however, that also leads me to consider child avatars in the presence of adult discussions to be inappropriate. In the end, I believe that there are positive behavioral health implications associated with being able to re-experience one's childhood within the context of Second Life and I join with others in defending their right to be represented at SL5B. Even so, I do think child avatars are inappropriate in some settings in Second Life as in our first lives. -Jani