why do we hear this from our parents when we are young kids, yet when we are adults, we sue for libel and slander and other reasons? Is it a true statement? Can a name hurt someone? There is the old addage, "nobody can make you feel inferior without your concent." Is this also true? What about racial slurs, or homophobic slurs, or anything like that? Can we also said "sticks and stones..." or "nobody can make you feel inferior..." related to those matters?
2007-03-11 10:18:15 · 18 answers · asked by snafu1 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
How many hypocrites out there have actually used a gay slur, or a racial slur against someone, yet jump up and down in a fury when someone famous (like Ann Coulter, Isaiah Washington, Mel Gibson, and the guy from "Seinfeld") does? I know that we are all human, and every human being out there has said something to offend a member of society
2007-03-11 10:27:16 · update #1
Sticks and stones do hurt.Ignorance and racial slurs hurt more deeply.Try to ignore the fools whom don't chose to see you for the sensitive person you are.
2007-03-11 10:22:25 · answer #1 · answered by sharen d 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure, but it seems to be a sort of double-standard. Those who sue for being called whatever it is that offened them might be the same ones who "sticks and stones" never worked for. Or...It might be tha parents don't expect kids to say anything "damaging". They probably think that the worst thing to come out of a minor's mouth is along the lines of "You're a poopy pants!" and thus, they not worry about it.
On the other side of the coin, it more than likely is something that was invented in order to try and teach kids that it doesn't matter what other people think (not always true by the way) and that they should worry if someone calls them a name.
Well, that's my two cents. hopefully someone else will come by with a better answer. I've never been a parent, so I can't say for sure. Good luck finding out!
2007-03-11 10:26:55 · answer #2 · answered by ∞.DS.∞ 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
When you're a kid, I think it's true that names can't hurt you. Kids are always thinking up silly ways of hurting each other, and at that point, names really can't hurt you if you don't let them. But as you get older, the things people say are remembered by others, so slanderous words can hurt you financially, or professionally.
When it comes to slurs, there is a certain aspect of "well, if the person means nothing to me, their words don't mean anything either." But slurs don't just hurt the person they're aimed at. They hurt everyone who hears them, and perpetuates those negative stereotypes, making us all... less. Racial slurs and bigotry hurt our entire country.
2007-03-15 05:41:07 · answer #3 · answered by Vix 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the "sticks and stones" bit were right, why would they have to come up with a clever little verse to remind us of it? Wouldn't it be obvious?
Of COURSE words hurt! That's not a true statement! I was abused as a child, and I tell ya, the words hurt way more than the physical abuse in my case. I have to think hard to remember the physical abuse because it fades into the background with all the emotional abuse stuck in my head, running around it all the time.
Nobody...inferior...please. That one's a lie, too. It's nice if you have good self-esteem, but if you had good self-esteem, you wouldn't need to remind yourself with a clever little axiom.
I think it's a crazy shame that pretty much all that happens to child abusers is they get their kids taken away, when adults who verbally abuse other adults can get sued for damages, maybe even thrown in jail.
What a crock of bullsh!t. Kids should get the same protection against their abusive parents that adults get against libel and slander.
2007-03-11 10:26:04 · answer #4 · answered by SlowClap 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I say whatever. You are never going to stop people from being this way. It is a waste of energy and time. You know what and how you are. If you don't like something someone says, if it brought to light something that you may feel is true and you are not happy with that, the only thing to do is change it. Its a personal thing to me. If you feel affected by something someone says, you need to ask your self if you need to change something about yourself that you don't like. If it does not bother you then chin up and move on
2007-03-15 10:02:08 · answer #5 · answered by Sherri T 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
good points to ponder. I don't personally beleive in the saying,"sticks and stones..." and I don't think society does eithre. That's why racial slurs and homophobic slurs are a problem.
2007-03-11 10:23:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes! there is also a saying from a very great and wise Book that says: Ruthless words hurt like a sword, but the toungue of the wise brings healing!
2007-03-11 10:27:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because when your a kid your parents say that because you are to young to fully understand slurs.When you become a adult you should be able to control yourself. I don't think racial slurs or calling someone a name can hurt you unless you let it.
2007-03-11 11:32:27 · answer #8 · answered by little3nikki 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's true, names can't hurt you without your consent but other peoples view of you make up a great deal of your self-worth and self-esteem. Everybody wants to feel accepted and wanted. But when somebody insults you in some way it hurts because you start doubting your own views of yourself. None of this really hurts anybody if it's just one or two people saying stuff, but if you hear it over and over you start to believe it yourself.
2007-03-11 10:24:52 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
properly, my adventure is that when you're saying 'sticks and stones might harm my bones, yet names won't in any respect harm me' and while they actually do desire to harm you, and contact calling would not artwork... they initiate throwing sticks and stones at you.
2016-10-18 03:22:53 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋