Is The Use Of "mr." Correct In This Article?

[Batchellor]

https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/16854150.13-year-old-taking-part-young-driver-challenge-2018/?ref=twtrec

[Jackdaw33]

He should have been referred to in the first instance as Ben Westerman and thereafter as Ben or 'he'.

[Zacs-Master]

Why?

[hereIam]

As some others on here, I think 'Ben' would have been just fine. 'Master' seems old fashioned now, it was how my brother was addressed back in the day when he was a lad !

[Jackdaw33]

Because it sounds natural and unpretentious and that's how children are usually referred to in print.

[webbo3]

when I register people in my hospital boys under 16 are registered as Master.

[hereIam]

I didn't realised it was still used webbo.

[webbo3]

In My hospital it is, im forever changing things, it does make it a bit easier for me , if I see a Master I know they go to the childrens dept on the first floor.
But our system is a bit odd.
No Mother or Father....Parent
No Husband or wife.....Spouse
No Son or Daughter .....Child

[sanmac]

Just imagine how much more complicated this issue would have been if the little chappy had casually mentioned to the reporter that he wasn't quite sure yet which sex he wanted to be:)

[AuntLydia]

One good reason then to stop addressing people so as to define their age, sex or marital status.

[Mamyalynne]

As Leah Powell is a trainee journalist she is no doubt finding her feet as she goes and in the end it doesn't matter a great deal.

Good luck to Ben in the finals next weekend.

[AuntLydia]

As a trainee journalist she has at least A level English and a degree , possibly in communications.

You actually researched the journalist? Wow.

[Mamyalynne]

No, it says so at the top of the article.

[webbo3]

AuntLydia

\\One good reason then to stop addressing people so as to define their age, sex or marital status.//

Age? you must define someone by their age.
Buying alcohol
buying cigarettes
driving a car
Watching an 18 rated film
voting

All age related

[AuntLydia]

???
I'm talking about addressing as in describing someone ie by referring to 'Mrs' X ( she's female married) Miss x ( she's female single) Mr. ( he's male) Master ( hes male possibly a child) Ms ( ermmmmm,)

What on earth has that got to do with driving , voting or buying fags?

[youngmafbog]

Probably due to the complaints from all those with the surname Bates.

[Batchellor]

Thank you everyone. I have concluded that the journalist was correct to address him as 'Mr Westerman' as 'Mr [surname]' is how a young woman should refer to a young gentleman in a newspaper article.

[webbo3]

Antlydia.

This is where the age came into it.

\\One good reason then to stop addressing people so as to define their age, sex or marital status.//

so we shouldn't be defining some ones age, hence my answer about driving etc.