Words to avoid: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 12:33, 30 May 2026

Unfortunately in the world full of parental-rightism, adultism and protectoinism there is a lot of loaded language. We, as youth-righters should try to avoid these terms, as they normalize these viewpoints. Of course, if the term isn't loaded by itself, but by its cultural context, using it in positive light to reclaim it may be a good idea.

Terms we don't need to avoid

the youth or young person/people/persons

This term is neutral. While it is used in negative connotations, it is also used in positive ones.

to be kidding

This term's meaning got disconnected from its perceived etymology. Its use isn't either negative or positive of the youth.

Terms that are culturally biased against the youth

a kid/kids - when used to imply somebody is immature.

It implies that kids are immature.

Terms that are loaded by itself

friends - when used to mean peers when misused to communicate with young children.

This leads to making it hard for young children to distinguish between people they like to spend time with and people they spend time with.

grow up, shut up

It is a dog whistle/ad personam. It adds nothing to the issue. It attacks the (perceived) immaturity of the opponent.

adult - when used as an adjective.

It suggests that some issues are related only to adults in a way that's hard to discuss with.

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-Unfortunately in the world full of [[adultism]] and [[protectoinism]] there is a lot of [[loaded language]]. We, as [[youth-righter]]s should try to avoid these terms, as they normalize these [[viewpoint]]s. Of course, if the term isn't loaded by itself, but by its cultural context, using it in positive light to reclaim it may be a good idea.
+Unfortunately in the world full of  [[parental-rightism]], [[adultism]] and [[protectoinism]] there is a lot of [[loaded language]]. We, as [[youth-righter]]s should try to avoid these terms, as they normalize these [[viewpoint]]s. Of course, if the term isn't loaded by itself, but by its cultural context, using it in positive light to reclaim it may be a good idea.
 == Terms we don't need to avoid ==
-* {{cite|the youth}} or {{cite|young person}}/{{cite|people}}/{{cite|persons}}
+* {{anchor|youth}}{{code|the youth}} or {{code|young person}}/{{code|people}}/{{code|persons}}
 :: This term is neutral. While it is used in negative connotations, it is also used in positive ones.
+* {{anchor|kidding}}{{code|to be kidding}}
+:: This term's meaning got disconnected from its perceived etymology. Its use isn't either negative or positive of the youth.
+:: See also: {{code|[[#kid|a kid]]}}
 == Terms that are culturally biased against the youth ==
-* {{cite|kid}}/{{cite|kids}} - when used to imply somebody is inmature
+* {{anchor|kid}}{{code|a kid}}/{{code|kids}} - when used to imply somebody is immature.
 :: It implies that kids are immature.
+:: See also: {{code|[[#kidding|to be kidding]]}}
+* {{anchor|juvenile}}{{code|juvenile}} - in relation to people
+:: This word has negative connotations.
+:: See also: {{code|[[#jd|juvenile delinquency]]}}
+* {{anchor|jd}}{{code|juvenile delinquency}}?
+:: See also: {{code|[[#juvenile|juvenile]]}}
+*{{anchor|like adults}} {{code|to treat like adults}} - used to desribe behaviour showing a lack of trust or excessive control.
+::  This implies that children cannot be treated seriously.
+:: See also: {{code|[[#like children|treating like children]]}}
+*{{anchor|like children}} {{code|to treat like children}} - used to describe micromanaging or excessive/coercive control.
+::  This implies jusifying such treatment of children.
+:: See also: {{code|[[#like adults|treating like adults]]}}
+== Terms that are loaded by itself ==
+* {{anchor|friends}}{{code|friends}} - when used to mean {{code|peers}} when misused to communicate with young children.
+:: This leads to making it hard for young children to distinguish between people they like to spend time with and people they spend time with.
+* {{anchor|gusu}}{{code|grow up, shut up}}
+:: It is a ''[[dog whistle]]''/''[[ad personam]]''. It adds nothing to the issue. It attacks the (perceived) immaturity of the opponent.
+* {{anchor|adult}}{{code|adult}} - when used as an adjective.
+:: It suggests that some issues are related only to adults in a way that's hard to discuss with.
 == Terms that are harmfully biased, but the bias isn't against the youth ==
-== Terms that are loaded by itself ==
 == Terms that are biased, but put youth in good light ==
 == See also ==