What is the cutoff age for the "Died Young" sticker?

Question

My great uncle, George Dawson, died at age 14. Is the died young sticker appropriate or is this reserved for children under 10?
Thank you in advance to all who contribute answers.

Comments

Does the sticker say the cutoff is ten?  If not, I'd use it.

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Thank you, Melanie, for your quick reply. I don't recall any age specified, but I'll check one more time before using the sticker.
Regards, Marion

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If there IS an age cutoff, you can make your own image with text.  It's not as good as the little box around the sticker, but could work well enough.

Answer 1

To me anyone who died before the ages of 16 or 18 - or before they could legally be married (with or without parental consent) - technically died young, because they would not be able to have any children.

But that's just my general opinion and how I see it.

Comments

That's how I see it too.

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Agreed.

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I use it for anyone who has not reached their majority. Usually under 18.

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Thanks to Robynne for that sensible answer. In the discussion when I proposed the sticker, various views were expressed regarding the meaning of "young." The understanding of "young" is somewhat dependent on the legal, cultural and socioeconomic context of the person's life. However, the logic of "too young to marry" makes sense for genealogical purposes -- and it gives some latitude for judgment.

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Huh, I had always thought it for babies who died in the first year.  Will have to widen my definition of this sticker.

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The Help Page for the "Died Young" sticker now has the guidance: "Since the meaning of 'childhood' can vary from location to location and through different family contexts, the general guidance is that this sticker can be applied to any profile of those who had not yet reached the age of majority, were unmarried, and had no descendants."

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Thanks for the update Bryan.

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Very sensible. This way if you see the sticker you should know not to add any children.

Answer 2

I was just about to ask this same question. It seems there is no "right" answer. ;)