Words to avoid
Appearance
Unfortunately in the world full of 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 youthoryoung 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
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
Terms that are loaded by itself
friends- when used to meanpeerswhen 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.