Misuse of WORDS and how impact on others....

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Your thoughts in general of misuse of words, that stereo type others. I can not help but wonder if we stop one word yet another would be used and in a way, by stopping any word, you give that word more power and impact when used. But it amazes me how some words have such an impact when simply just words, so is it more how they are used, said. ?

i.e many seem to find the word autistic hard to say and be called, ret*d often use so wrongly... the word mental seems to have a fear attached, the word disabled maybe should be changed to differently able, as its often society the disablers.!

I'm not quite sure I understand the question. Do you mean misuse of *any* words or misuse of particular medical/diagnostic labels such as "ret*d"?

I can't stand the misuse of the word, ret*d. I find it very offensive.

I do feel its more how words used and the intent behind them. School ground bullying often the worst for many, as children often do not have the confidence as adult to correct individuals who use words out of content. it is what is intended when words said and that we should not label ourselves as such, as everyone a unique individuals, but at times by doing so helps to explain some things, so I hate it when others take a word I say out of content from what I mean and maybe this also partly a problem, we should never think we know unless we do and guess we need to consider another perspective different groups of individuals, cultures use words differently anyway... so definitely its the intent behind whatever, how ever said.!

To add I am proud to be called an autistic adult, and others can say and call me what they wish, I say let their ignorance be their own, but attack any child or someone less able than myself and I may have something to say about it.!

Yeah, I think the same way. The words are just symbols, it's the intent that is all important. It's kinda like how the Nazi party took that lovely swastika (traditionally a symbol of good luck) and made it into something that most people associate with evil.

Personally I don't like to put any words off limit. I used the word ret*d just yesterday in jest, and I often refer to myself with it. It's a word that has a valid use. It essentially means slowed down. Some people have ret*d development in some areas. It's not necessarily offensive, just descriptive. The fact that some people have used it to mean something offensive has kind of sullied it forever and ruined it's use value.

Agree its not the words as such, its the abuse of them, when they cross the line and become bullying etc... and I do feel parents have a big part to play, if we teach our children how to respect others, their would be a lot less bullying. I hate it when children are judged by others ignorance and as parents we often feel a need to want to protect our own children, so its extremelly frustrating, when so many seem misinformed or do not seem to have a clue... that I feel has to start from when young, but unfortunatelly many parents have their own issues...

I have had young adults come to me and are terrified that others will find out they are autistic and/or call them ret*ds, children can be extremelly cruel and often when use words to impact and hurt others... the only way to change this apart from re-educating many parents...is to embrace and in-still confidence in each child, so they simply will not put up with such crap or at least not let it affect them...

If you misuse the word emo you will cop an earful from me.

I hate the word reatrded too. I think of it what it really means so I take it more seriously even though the 20 something group of friends I'm with don't seem to mind, and often call themselves ret*ds.