Words to avoid

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.

See also: a kid

Terms that are culturally biased against the youth

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

It implies that kids are immature.

See also: to be kidding

• juvenile - in relation to people

This word has negative connotations.

See also: juvenile delinquency

• juvenile delinquency?

See also: juvenile

• age appropriate/age-appropriate

This word is sometimes used as a dog whistle to deter certain youth behaviors. In other uses it suggests that the development of every young person is consistant with solar cycles.

Use instead: development appropriate/development-appropriate

• treating like children - used to describe micromanaging or excessive/coercive control.

This implies jusifying such treatment of children.

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.