Is the term "special needs" politically correct in the UK when used to describe a child with a disability?
2006-11-02 02:00:21 · 14 answers · asked by Mike W 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
nope, it is now young people with learning disibilities, because you put the person before the disibility now
2006-11-02 02:03:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is true that the acceptability of terms that describe groups of people is constantly changing. This should not be seen as a problem however. Generally speaking...discarded terms such as 'learning difficulties' were discarded because they were inaccurate. It could be said to include almost every student in the country! The other reason to discard a term is that they are taken into the general launguage as a negative term. I'm sure you all know the kind I mean! So I will not repeat them here.
So instead of seeing 'political correctness' itself as a negative term, try seeing it for what it actually is intended to be...politeness. If we have to 'pigeon hole' people, then let's at least try to be as polite and considerate as we can be and not describe them inaccurately or deride or degrade them.
If that means having to make a small adjustment from time to time...then how difficult is that for a civilized society?
2006-11-02 02:34:39 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I find it amazing how people will spend so much energy to change commonly used words in order to avoid the possibility of offending someone.
If a person is mentally handicapped, they are mentally handicapped. There is nothing offensive about such a term; it simply describes a condition. For you to ask others what is "correct" shows us what androids the Brits generally have become. Now form is more important than substance.
Most ironic of all? What is "correct" today will be something "offensive" next week.
2006-11-02 02:24:50 · answer #3 · answered by C = JD 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Scott b. You are a retard, a joke is a joke but to generalise people with disabilities as " Retards " is a sad sad thing to do. If you check the oxford dictionary and its description of retard. Im sure you will find your name at the top of the list.
2006-11-02 02:11:23 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
some of the people who have replied to this question by saying retard or whatever are disgusting. how can you be so damn horrible its ignorant people like them in this country that makes chavism grow. the term should be nothing they are children no matter what!" not special needs or whatever they should be classed the same as everyone else who are we to judge what is a special needs child? can you define one no. everyone is different. they should be called by their name.
2006-11-02 02:10:25 · answer #5 · answered by nommie 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
hahah the first answer made me laugh! But no i believe you would get in touble for using the term special needs. It's probably something like mentally challenged instead!
2006-11-02 02:05:13 · answer #6 · answered by Minxy_uk 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We are becoming obsessed with political correctness. Sooner or later we will stop helping these people because we will not be allowed to say that they have a problem!
2006-11-02 02:21:28 · answer #7 · answered by Grilla Parlante 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It surely MUST BE - otherwise all the bloody do-gooders would have pounced on it for a bit of glory.
2006-11-02 02:29:30 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is at the moment but it'll upset someone sooner or later, i expect we'll be back to cripple or loon in a few years.
2006-11-02 02:04:59 · answer #9 · answered by DAVID H 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
That is the term that is accepted
2006-11-02 02:04:07 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋