Family Roleplay
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Dear community
this time we need your help.We want to understand "family" roleplay games like:
https://urstyle.com/user/myjourney
https://urstyle.com/user/short-n-sweet
https://urstyle.com/user/family
https://urstyle.com/user/mydestiny
https://urstyle.com/user/littlexloves
https://urstyle.com/user/wildchild
Do you know what's the point and rules of that games? They just look a bit weird for us and we are working on the new rules according to sets creation. -
@admin ~ Polyvore never allowed any roleplay sets or games. I can not recall their exact reasons for this, but it definitely was not allowed or accepted. As far as I can remember, they were not considered sets. You all will have to think about this. Personally, I do not think this should be part of Urstyle.
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I do not think Urstyle is the right place for those kind of things. Urstyle is about Fashion, not only posting one picture of a child. Roleplayers should add more fashion to their sets. I'm not a roleplayer but I can understand the love of this game. I do not think Urstyle is the right place for that.
But if I can give an advice : don't make too much rules according to sets creation. Fashion must be free of all the expressions, and interpretations, and creativity.
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@admin - I have no idea what this family role play is, unfortunately. Role play with imaginary characters was alive and well on PV. It was a perfect platform to merge together visual art and writing, but this form especially those using very young children’s pictures and saying that they are up for adoption makes me uncomfortable, personally.
This was a post on IG shortly after the abrupt shut down that can give you an idea about what the kind of role play I was aware of looked like.
“All those pictures and collages I've made over the years have been vanished. I knew it was a possibility that if the website ever vanished, all our work would vanish, too, but this is silly. Now I'm not sure what to do. Does anyone know an alternative that would allow RPers to makecollages for their characters and plots?
All those poor people who spent every day on Polyvore crafting beautiful artistic pieces. . . . And those people who RPed directly on polyvore itself. . . . They're in even worse shape than the rest of us.“
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@Fassionista ~ I have just read the rules from Polyvore on role playing. Most of the roleplaying was frowned up and was not part of Polyvore. Many may have tried it, however, there were many deleting of sets and members. I feel this is not a place for games. There are several websites that do provide for this, but very limited to what can be done. Urstyle is a place for fashion and art. Not games!
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I never role-played on PV, but understood there were groups that did it. I used both there and here to create fashion sets or mood boards for characters I created on another site, that is a message board type set. Basically I used the fashion making aspect as another way for character development.
So the accounts above were pictures and clothing are included...I get that. The accounts that the sets only have one picture and thats it, those I agree with someone from above and say they make me feel a little weird with the wording they use.
But like I said, I make sets that are used for roleplaying but I use celebrities for face claims and they either fall into that fashion set or mood board section.
Since this is meant to be a creative outlet setting too many rules may hurt things more then help....just from my things being in the creative side of things...
I dont know if any of that made sense or helped.
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@bboles3984 Totaly agree with you !
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This post is deleted! -
@Beverly
I'm not debating with you...I was simply answering what @admin was asking about...If you read what I said I did, it does fall into Fashion and Art.
In fact my sets look just like everyone else's fashion sets...but they are character driven.
And in my world rules=censorship when it comes to fashion or art.
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@BBoles3984 ~ Sorry, however, I am not debating with you. I am trying to have a conversation. I do disagree with you on several things. We will let Urstyle decide on what the rules are.
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Hello! I will not pretend to be an expert on anything, but I think you're just hoping to get a few different perspectives to understand. All I can really offer is my own viewpoint, and I am not trying to bash, belittle, or judge any experience or opinion. If it comes across that way in any sense, that is not my intention.
I joined Polyvore over ten years ago, and I have been roleplaying since almost the beginning as well. It was an active community that I latched onto, not something I helped create. I chose to be a part of it because writing had always appealed to me, and the site created a unique opportunity to visually represent your characters / ideas and write for them at the same time. As someone who has no access to Photoshop (or any editing tool) and would have no knowledge of how to use something like this even if I did, Polyvore and subsequently UrStyle have become a platform in which to share ideas with added dimension.
I think it would be a disservice to say that Polyvore never allowed roleplaying, as the community was vibrant and active since its inception, and I also think it would be a shame to make it "against the rules" on Urstyle simply because there are other sites that allow it. Because both of these sites have always had a focus on art (whether that interpretation be fashion, interior design, or some other medium), it would be a shame to limit what that definition means. Art, by the nature of its existence, should not be limited...even if you believe that something doesn't constitute art because "it's just blank and blank thrown together." (Modern artists in the real world probably feel this way all the time, but we now let them call their four paint splatters art too!!)
But I definitely understand the site's responsibility with things that may cross some lines: violence, disturbing images, glorification of eating disorders, pornography, etc. I think that it's important to protect people, and I am grateful for you wanting to go about this while also getting feedback from the users.
I mainly focus on a subset of roleplaying that tends to go by "high fashion roleplaying" which, honestly, is kind of a rude name when you think too much about it????? lol..... But in its inception, it referred to how one wasn't supposed to use hollister / abercrombie / etc. in sets and should instead use designer pieces. Anywaaayyyyyy...our focus tends to be creating sets that portray a look-a-like (often a model or a celebrity) that fits the character and having their outfit for the particular story also included. Or something that just befits their more general style, other models/celebrities that represent important people in their life, etc. I think it seems less "threatening / bizarre" because it adheres to "fashion sets" in a more traditional way.
The struggle here, of course, seems to be regarding those that choose what I believe they call Family Roleplaying. It is a bit unsettling to see photos of children as the main focus of a set and words like "take me home! up for adoption!"
I have not engaged in this sort of roleplay category for years and years and years, so it could be very different from what I remember. But I did get involved slightly when I was just starting out on Polyvore too! Honestly, these members seem to be a lot like how I was: young and vulnerable. Whether that be from personal insecurities, struggles in their own family, etc...they tend to want to create these personas of characters so that they can write out a much happier life for those depicted. While slapping one photo of a toddler in the middle may not do much in the way of creative set-making, I think it would be a disservice to a very kind and polite population to kick them out entirely. They typically use comments or messages to exchange in real writing, and it's not our position to judge whether the quality of what they’re doing is up to some standard or not. Also...they are not out here harassing others, copying, or other things. They mostly keep to themselves. They are just trying to be creative in the way that makes them happy.
I can absolutely understand that there are uses where things are uncalled for. I also find it creepy to see children online because I am old enough to understand the implications of that. I do not think it would be problematic for UrStyle to censor the use of children in certain cases. However, for example, Chrissy Teigen posts many photos of her two children online. As a public figure, I think she understands what it means to put these images out there. I am not saying that her children have any less right to their privacy than others, but because of the manner in which they are globally shared, I think it is more acceptable for me to see a photo of Luna in something like this than something stolen from a mother's private facebook. As weird as it may seem sometimes, there are many viral and famous children out there. Shirley Temple probably would have been used all the time if anything like this existed back then. Kids are the faces of brands more and more.
What I'm trying to say basically is:
- Unless these accounts are specifically making something that harms someone else, I think getting into censorship is dangerous.
- Just because UrStyle and Polyvore have never been marketed as roleplay sites does not mean that sort of community should not be allowed to exist.
- Potential UrStyle rules should focus on things that are harmful to everyone and not things that specifically target an aspect of their community.
If admin or anyone else doesn't understand what roleplaying is at all, and you feel like it is a threatening community, feel free to message me privately! I will happily explain everything I know about it through years of experience. I think the name can have some bad connotations, but on a site like this, it's really about practicing your writing alongside others! While it is often done in the same universe as characters who all interact together (thereby not having one "main character" because everyone has a developed backstory and central plotline), there are so many definitions and uses! But...they're not malicious.
I hope this made sense. Again, never hesitate to reach out!
And UrStyle, I really commend how well you guys try to get to know and understand your community. I know that I can get frustrated with the glitches sometimes, but you care more than Polyvore ever did. That really means so much, and we will all get through these initial bumps together.
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@admin said in Family Roleplay:
Did you know what's the point and rules of that games? They just look a bit weird for us and we are working on the new rules according to sets creation.
To address this more specifically....
I believe the rules are that one main account creates a bunch of character profiles. Sometimes these are people "up for adoption." Other times they are just boys and girls who you can "take on a date." Various scenarios exist.
Another account then comments or messages the account that they would like to adopt or date this character. They probably have their own characters (parents or an individual) already posted on their own page.
The original creator then approves or denies the use of their character in this new setting.
If approved, the two users probably create a new set / new sets that portray this interaction, and whether through individual writing, messaging, or comments on that set, they create a story for these characters to interact.
As has been mentioned, sometimes it can seem strange to people who are not involved because they only use UrStyle for the visual aspect of this. The information / writing is then completed on another site. This is most likely due to what I previously mentioned: no access of knowledge to something like Photoshop that they could otherwise use to create visual components.
I think the point is literally just to create little ideal people and live out their ideal lives through a dynamic process of writing with someone else instead of just on their own.
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@lecoupdefoudre
Thank you so much for this reply! You explained everything about the situation so well.@Beverly I owe you an apology for being so defensive. I use Urstyle to make fashion sets, clothing choices for characters I make or even just stories I write...it's another form of creativeness for me...so I got a little upset over your opinion of that not being allowed here. I am sorry for how I came across.
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@beverly ...can you maybe explain what part of my post is worth down-voting? Are you so concerned over people that write stories that you want them permanently removed from this site?
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@admin In very short: roleplay is a form of interactive, creative writing and falls under art ( writing/ world building/ character creation/ story board/ and related ). Roleplay (RP) can easily have a place on urstyle.
( The following would be my opinion. )
PERSONALLY, I dislike RP with characters under the age of consent, but I'm pretty certain this is due to being Generation X and how we where taught certain things about how to behave on the internet.
I also dislike the use of (face-claiming) photos of actual, real life, existing children. Then again, I also dislike it that people post those on the internet to begin with. It's not like it's legal as a child cannot, legally, agree with this.I'm aware that family RP is innocent, it just makes my skin crawl due to being me as a person.
If it was up to me, I'd make the rule that character photos should be of those who are on or over the age of consent.
( I have RPed on and off since 1997. LARP and pbp, mostly. )
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@myrrael Not to detract at all from the main topic, but I think it's important to realize that many famous celebrities/models can be under the age of 18. I get where you're coming from, but would that also mean that models under the age of 18 who have done editorial work and/or have public social media accounts and profiles on professional sites in the fashion industry (such as models.com) are also off-limits as representatives of a character? And if we're going to get into that debate, are they also off-limits in general for set making?
I think what I'm trying to say is that it's might be a little unreasonable to make a rule that photographs of all people who are under 18 be barred from sets (plus, wouldn't it be quite hard to enforce?). I do remember my days of simply entering into Google Images "blonde haired blue eyed girl" when I was looking for a picture to represent a character. I'm guessing that the profiles/accounts in question did the same; typing in something along the lines of "(physical trait) (physical trait) toddler" and picking random photographs. I have never seen anything wrong with this method.
I have also RPed in various forms, mostly pbp, but Urstyle/Polyvore roleplay is, effectively, collaborative story-telling with a visual element, which is 100% a valid form of art and expression, in my opinion. I really don't think banning roleplay on Urstyle is the best way to go about dealing with this issue; as far as I know, all RP on this site still follows the rules set out and doesn't include any explicit content.
This is just my two cents on the subject, though! I hope this helps with the final decision.
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@ayzrules said in Family Roleplay:
....many famous celebrities/models can be under the age of 18.
Obviously. But those are people who are employed and doing this in an official and legal manner.
Also, the age of consent isn't 18. Nor is it the same in every country.Also, apologies, I'm too tired to defend my personal opinion. I simply get a general feeling of 'wrongness' when I see child characters in (adoption) RP.
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@myrrael @admin I completely concur with your opinion about disliking the use of photos of actual children. They are under the age of consent & that child has a parent who would probably be horrified a picture of their child is being used in such a way on a website. Also, as a former court appointed advocate for abused & neglected children I do not think role playing or pretending the children whose pictures are posted on a website have been abused is appropriate. There was a user who listed background on each child's picture posted indicating the child had been abused, etc. Also, posting children's pictures saying "needs a home" could be misinterpreted as human trafficking. Obviously I have strong opinions about this issue & do object to these types of postings on URStyle.
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@ayzrules @admin @Myrrael I just posted about objecting to the use of children's pictures in roleplay. That said, I do not object to role play per se as an art form, just to the use of children who are presented as needing a home & having been abused & neglected. I'm not an attorney but would suggest that @admin look into the issue of using pictures of children who are under the age of consent & presenting these children as having been abused & neglected. You made a valid point about models & others whose pictures we may wish to use in a set who may not be of the age of consent. Sometimes users post pictures in their sets of children in a way that I do not object to (e.g., celebrating Spring, a holiday celebration). Just thought I'd clarify further my previous comment.
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Dear URSTYLE Friends
Thank you for your opinion on that matter. This topic was actually brought up to our attention by some of you, who have flagged these kind of profiles.
Some of the profiles' owners use pictures and data of real children claiming these children are ready for adoption and their parents used to abuse them. In my opinion this is not only unconscionable for children's families but also potentially dangerous. I love art and self-expression but I consider such behavior neither of them.
I hope everyone of you understand and support my reasoning. Please contact with me if you find some similar profiles. I would like to address them properly. I want URSTYLE to be a safe place for all of you.
Love,
Oliwia
