people say the word,retarded,(I think that is a horrible expression)towards those who have special needs.or who have a learning disability.
2007-02-11 11:29:19 · 15 answers · asked by LYNDA M 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
I agree with you 100% it is degrading to use such a term. Adult and children with special needs should not be used as a point of reference for ridicule and insults. Some of the sweetest, kindest most loving people i have met in my life have had learning disabilities and deserve respect like anyone else. Good for you for making the point...
2007-02-11 11:37:10 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
I think the word is used more as a derogatory term for somebody emotionally retarded- not as an insult to those with genuine learning difficulties or special needs.
2007-02-12 04:46:01 · answer #2 · answered by Ha-ha Lewis 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The word means something that is slow or stunted. When used to describe a person,you mean that they are mentally slow. It's not a bad word. George Carlin said that there are no BAD words, it's the way we use them. It's just that some people use that word as an insult when it's really meant to just describe a medical condition.
2007-02-11 19:41:25 · answer #3 · answered by Dan B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think retarded used to be the acceptable word for describing people with special needs, although it is no longer considered to be the most polite expression. Literally it just means "slow," and didn't used to have the negative connotations it does now. So for some people, especially older people, it might still not have negative connotations, and for others they might be ignorant of the fact that people don't like to be called that or they might do it simply to be mean.
2007-02-11 19:34:30 · answer #4 · answered by cg17 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i think those who do don't mean it as a direct response to someone who's retarded but rather the situation or what ever was said in response to a comment perhaps... not that i use it but i have heard it too many times by a friend of mine but i know he doesn't mean anything remotely by it to those who are disabled
2007-02-11 19:34:53 · answer #5 · answered by antagonist 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If people seen the film "The ringer" about the special olympics they may not use the word!
2007-02-11 19:37:30 · answer #6 · answered by SH2007 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It isn't a very nice word I agree, it is usually used by people who 'that word' would best describe.
2007-02-11 19:46:01 · answer #7 · answered by pageys 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can see how it would be offensive, but I don't think people who say it mean it in an insulting way.
2007-02-11 19:50:48 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its just one of those things...I dont like that word either and having worked with kids/adults with learning difficulties, I find it offensive. But you just get people who use words like that. Thats how it is today Im afraid...
2007-02-11 19:34:20 · answer #9 · answered by Buttsmear 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I feel that's a very cruel thing to say.If you don't like it when someone picks on you,so why would you do it to someone else?
2007-02-11 20:06:14 · answer #10 · answered by G 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋