"Retarded"

[Alyssa]

Do you use the word "retarded" casually? I did as a kid, then stopped for years b/c I felt bad about it, but I've found it creeping back into my vocabulary. I still feel awkward when it slips out though. On a radio show I listen to, this came up yesterday when some listeners wrote the hosts, angry that the hosts say this word casually. Like them, I don't use it to mean a person who is actually mentally impaired - I use it as slang to mean dumb, silly, etc. Do you use this word? Do you feel it's inappropriate?

[schwanda]

I think it's probably inappropriate and I try not to use it. BUT, in the spirit of true confessions, I have been known to use the word "retarded" casually. I'm trying to eliminate it from my vocabulary, especially at work, because it does have the potential to offend.

Amanda

[Eva]

I never use it. I say "dumb" or "stupid" or "lame" but never "retarded". If someone uses "retarded" in that context it often doesn't bug me but it isn't my favourite word in the world.

[Clare]

I can't say that I've never used it, but I do think that it's inappropriate and offensive and I make an effort not to use it.

[Carmen]

It definitely seems to be making a comeback. I don't think I've ever said it out loud, but it does pop into my head sometimes!

[Michele]

I'm trying really hard not to. I used it as a kid, and I think a lot of people around here use it pretty casually, so it is hard for me not to.

[Barb]

I don't say it anymore, but I did when I was a kid.

[Bonnie]

I am in the same place as you, Alyssa... I tried for a long time to keep it out of my vocab., but found it back recently, and now have to make a renewed effort not to say it.

[Cami]

I can't say that I've never used it, but I do think that it's inappropriate and offensive and I make an effort not to use it.

Ditto. :nod:

[WendyK]

Funny you mention this. I was just telling my friend I used this word in a meeting at work the other day and as soon as it came out of my mouth I wanted to suck it back in.

Basically this was the conversation..
I work evenings so when people at work see me at "normal" business hours they always ask me if it was hard getting up early to attend training. In this situation I said... "If my kids were not acting retarded this morning it would have been much easier"... :blue:

I couldn't believe I said it. I just wanted to take it back. No one really paid any attention but you never know who you can offend with this word. It's very insensitive.

[Nichole]

I don't use it anymore and it makes me really uncomfortable when other people do. I think it's insensitive and a little offensive. I'd be heartbroken if I had a mentally retarded child and heard someone use it.

ETA: If you think about it, the "casual" use of the word still refers to and has roots in the clinical word and peoples' perceptions, so it's hard to say they're separate. Mentally retarded people might seem to be acting silly or dumb or different in the eyes of "normal" people. It's not something they can help.

[Karly]

I try hard not to say it, but like you Alyssa, sometimes I use it for slang to mean silly, etc. I agree though that when I was younger, I'd get so paranoid to say things like "fat", "retarded", "stupid" etc, because I knew at some point I might have kids and I didn't want to curse myself, kwim?

[MrsPeacefrog]

I unfortunately do use it, I try not to but I find it does slip into my vocab at times. I didn't use it for the longest time though after I got into a massive fight in yr 7 with a girl over it. I didn't even think of it being offensive, till I casually slipped it into my sentence the girl went absolutley mental at me in the middle of class, she literally kicked me under the table and flung abuse at me. Apparantly her sister was retarded and I didn't know and she was extra sensitive to the word. :blush:

[Karri]

I try really, really, really hard not to. Even moreso since having a friend who is very offended by it, because her son could be considered such. But I've slipped a few times and then corrected myself.

[pam]

I don't use it anymore and it makes me really uncomfortable when other people do. I think it's insensitive and a little offensive. I'd be heartbroken if I had a mentally retarded child and heard someone use it.

ETA: If you think about it, the "casual" use of the word still refers to and has roots in the clinical word and peoples' perceptions, so it's hard to say they're separate. Mentally retarded people might seem to be acting silly or dumb or different in the eyes of "normal" people. It's not something they can help.

I totally agree. I used to say it. Then I went to work with people who have developmental delays & realized that for me, it was no longer something I felt comfortable doing. I honestly haven't thought of using it since.

[Mary DK]

No, I don't use it at all and neither does Blair and our children will be reprimended if we ever hear them say it. I think is highly insensitive for somebody to say it and I do feel uncomfortable & irritated when somebody says it.

[MamaGoofy]

I try not to say it as it's not really nice. I say it a little more than I like. :shuffle:

[Jayne]

I don't believe I say it. It really isn't part of my vocabulary and I don't think it is a nice word that I would want my children to say :dunno:

[magoo]

I never say it. Ever.

I remember saying it as a kid, though.

[KristenW]

I used to use it occasionally, but since DH has a very special cousin that is severely impaired I never use the word. That being said, I'm definitely guilty of using other word that could be considered "un-PC" and potentially hurtful.

[Shel]

My husband will call himself retarded when he screws something up (which is often :lol: ) But, I've never heard him call anyone else that. I reserve it for him because it's his word, but I wouldn't call anyone else that.

At our house, retarded is a term of affection apparently :lol:

[~Jenn]

No, I don't use it at all - for so long, it wasn't *allowed*, and I've never gotten in the habit of using it.

[Alyssa]

It's certainly a word I don't want my kids using. But then again, I don't want them saying "shit" or other words that pepper my vocabulary. :blush:

[Jillian]

I honestly don't think I've ever used it... My elementary was the RESD school for the entire county, so we had entire class rooms of kids with severe handicaps and saying retarded was a serious offense, like 2 day suspension, so
no one ever said it...

I have to admit that I find it offensive...

[Nicole]

I have used it, way more than I am proud to admit. But I really tend to say Artard because of the whole South Park thing based of the online gamers. Still not really appropriate and I don't want my girls to say it so I should watch my mouth!

[Alyssa]

I though of this thread today when I heard someone call the length of the line at Target "retarded." (And I'll admit to agreeing with that summation in my head, even though I know it's not the best word choice to describe such madness.)