Kids

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Do you agree that calling children ‘kids’ is disrespectful to them?

This slang expression crept into our vocabulary in the 1950s, and is now regularly used to refer to young people.

The use of this term is a reminder of the disrespect that has been shown to children throughout history.

During Biblical times, children were considered little more than possessions of their fathers by the Romans.

Jesus elevated the status of children by choosing to enter the world as a baby; he choose to experience childhood. When mothers brought their children to see him, he welcomed them, and he explained that one needs to accept God’s Kingdom as a little child, in order to enter it. The message of Christianity is not complicated.

(Mark 10: 13-16)

In the mid 19th Century , western society began to take responsibility to protect children from abuse, and child protection agencies were founded.

Child labour, and child marriage still occur in some parts of the world, and our efforts to protect and cherish children are ongoing.

Children need and deserve our prayers, our help, and our support.

May God grant us the grace to respect all children. We can do this by not referring to them as ‘kids’

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

Published by Sally

I am a retired Sociologist/Educator from Ontario. I now live at the very edge of the North American Continent. I spend my time in contemplation, spiritual reading , intercessory prayer, and maintaining a spiritual garden grotto as a place of prayer in my backyard by the Atlantic.

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46 thoughts on “Kids”

  3. Wow. I never thought of it that way. That’s powerful!
    I know some people that think it’s not right to call them “kids” but I also thought saying “kids” was a southern way of referring to children. I’ve always done it!!!
    I have heard the abusive way of saying “kids” too.

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  4. I have the same aversion to calling everyone “guys.” What’s in a label? The ear of the beholder. The tone of the sender. The intent and connotation in the context of the words. “OMG” is offensive to me, because I think it is taking the Lord’s name in vain. But many of my friends use that expression and have no offense to God in mind. I think there are other issues that I would take my time to worry about … like the racial injustice that exists in our world and the ethnic name calling. My thought is, “Pick your battles.” We can’t someone who is endearingly referring to “My Kids,” be a battleground!

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    1. I see your point ! I also don’t like being called a ‘guy’ .
      Language is highly symbolic, and yes, the letters OMG make me wince too.
      We are constantly re-thinking the words we use to describe people.
      Words, as we know, as writers, have tremendous power.
      Jesus himself is known Biblically as : The Word.
      Thanks for commenting. 🌷😁

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  5. Cute Sally! I’ll tell you straight up, very nice explanation and viewpoint here which is taken seriously; but that said I had been called a jackass a few times as a (kid) and see I even refer to myself as one but that is certainly more plausible than that other terminology. Actually as a boy I was doted and spoken to with respect by my extended family on both sides when visiting grandparents or aunts and uncles they would always say my you’re growing up fast and you look more handsome than the last time I saw you or something like that. A few of my uncles would use that hi handsome a bit much it seems but I guess what I’m saying is I never felt any disrespect or like I was made to feel lowly or odd but rather I was placed up on some platform as special and loved! Maybe it’s just me and my lucky breaks but I had no problem with any of it the kid thing and actually in an odd way the few times being called a jackass by my dad or someone else that I can’t recall who which shows how little impact is had I think it was more endearing because it was a soft reprimand to protect me from something i did wrong and not to let it happen again so I would be OK. I’m blessed I guess but some kids or boys get crushed in this world today with much worse things than kid being tossed at them. But; I love the connection to these goats, and goats are the fresh ones aren’t they, not the sheep who are more passive and so hence maybe where this analogy comes from. Wouldn’t you just love to just play with those little rascals? Just pay attention if the mom is near; they do give darn good head butts! My grandparents had some goats for milk and goat cheese they made at home; when I was a boy!

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  7. I think being careful of how we relate to children -with love, gentleness, sensitivity, and an acute awareness of their vulnerability – is absolutely crucial. The start we have in life – not just with our parents but by society in general – affects us for the whole of our lives. Thanks for the post, Sally 🙂

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  8. I have never thought about this and must admit that I have used the words kids just referring to a group of children. You have given me something to think about and consider Sally. I do not want to be careless in my use of words just because of my ignorance.
    Thanks for sharing Sally.

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  9. I don’t find “kids” offensive at all, due to the culture I grew in. I think this is probably a Romans 14 multiple-right-answers issue, and we should respect each other. 🙂

    Romans 14:5-7 New King James Version (NKJV)

    5 One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.

    I still hold doors open for people even though some feminists find it offensive. 😉

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    2. Agree totally Mark. Perception should be based more on perspective of the individuals involved. I’ve known people with the name William that hate being called Willy, so I won’t use it for that guy but 99 others see it as endearing and being a bro!

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      2. 🙂 Glad you feel that way Mark and hope you are able to keep all in perspective as we’re all in for some scary times it appears! Mom would say about name calling take it with a grain of salt and also take it from where it comes was dad’s favorite.

        Liked by 2 people

  10. I like to say kid or kiddo. It’s never been taken wrong. I suppose it can depend on how you say it. Tone can make a big difference.

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  13. very interesting Sally…………I know I have called them kiddos but we have nicknames for our children and mostly use that……..I do make sure to tell them all the time how awesome, special and how much I love them……….hopefully my children do know just how precious they are to me.

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    1. Hi Doctor ! I hope you are well ! I always pray for you and your fellow students.
      I am very grateful for the nomination, and I thank you.
      I confess, however, that my computer skills are very limited, and I don’t know how to link to other posts.
      Yes, I know this seems incredible, but people of my generation are sometimes ‘technology challenged’.
      Basically all I do is type on my iPad, on WordPress, which connects me to the world 😁
      Thanks, however, for thinking of me. 🌷

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      1. I smiled reading this. I totally understand you members of the Golden generation. Just do what you can and stay blogging. I pray too that God grants you good health and consciousness always. I look up to your blog to keep mine alive. Your support and encouragement is overwhelming. You are appreciated. Stay Blogging and Spread the love! Much Love from the Jungles of Zimbabwe.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. That is very kind that you understand the challenges of ‘The Golden’ generation. Thank you ! I sit in my chair overlooking the North Atlantic, and connect to the world tapping on my iPad with my right index finger.🤗
        Be assured of my continued prayers for you.🌷

        Liked by 1 person

  15. Great Post! You also know that in biblical days whenever they named their children those names had special meanings. For example Hannah named her son Samuel which means “heard of God,” or “the name of God,” to remind him of the special circumstances and commitments surrounding his birth, and that his life’s purpose was to serve the Lord.(I Samuel 1:21) So they gave a lot of thought on their children and their futures.

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  16. As a bit of a linguist, I find the etymology of words to be interesting. It’s also interesting how the meanings of words can change over time. In this case, the word kid used for children has had probably three generations to change, and I believe in most regions of the United States, at least, the connection between kids and goats doesn’t even cross most people’s minds. If I were to ask children in my region if they find it offensive to be called a kid, they would look at me funny because to them, being called a kid is the same thing as being called a child. As a matter of fact, I personally would find it more disrespectful for an older adult to call me a child than for them to call me a kid. That is because it is more likely that they are being affectionate in calling me a kid, whereas if they call me a child they are more likely to be trying to belittle me and show that they know more than me.

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  17. I do use the word kids a lot, I have never considered that it may be offensive. I always say it in a jovial way, and has never had it taken out of context or had anyone upset by its use. But it certainly bears repeating that often we use words that are not always the best word choice.

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  19. No, because I see ‘kids’ the same as ‘children’. Definitely people on their own with their own thoughts and feelings and ability to choose. Although I think ‘kid’ stops by teenager.

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  20. I never thought about it that way, but it is notable that the term for a young goat is used in normal speech to refer to children. I find it especially interesting considering that calling people certain words (which I will not type here) that refer to certain animals is extremely offensive, even profanity. Of course, nowadays people hardly even think of that.

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    1. Thank-you for your reply.
      I think , concerning the Lord’s words about the eventual separation of ‘sheep’ and ‘goats’, it would be better not to refer to children as young goats. 🌷

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