Words that describe mentally challenged people offensive?
By choltonr409
@choltonr409 (48)
United States
February 28, 2009 10:21pm CST
This is a topic that can have very many opinions. The question is when is it alright to address a mentally challenged person as a word such as moron. You might think that it is never alright to address a mentally challenged person as a name such as moron. I would like to hear your opinion. My opinion is that it is alright to address a mentally challenged person as a moron or any other medical term. Words like moron, imbecile, and idiot are terms used to classify how high a persons intelligence quotient (IQ)is. I often use the word stupid, not to intentionally make fun of anyone. I dont think the stupid should be used to describe people because I think people just do supid things or act stupid. If there is a full adult that does not know how to dress, feed, or clean themselves that is not funny I think it is sad. I don't me that the person is sad i mean i feel sorry for them. I use the term stupid when someone does less than what is expected of them. What do you think?
1 person likes this
1 response
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
1 Mar 09
The context in which society uses these words makes them hurtful to people that understand what they mean, which is most people that have lower than average intelligence. They may be slow but they have feelings and are sensitive. They've been taught that those words are insulting.
On the other hand, the word "retarded" is now termed offensive. I'm surprised at that because a person whose intelligence has been retarded by accident or birth will not be changed just because we call them "mentally challenged". Both terms are true but one is a medical term and one was made to placate people want to deny that anyone is different from another.
Now you may think I've contradicted myself in saying this because "retarded" has been used by kids and adults alike to denigrate and hurt people who are mentally retarded. But that word was specifically used to describe the condition, whereas "stupid" and "moron" are generalized insults that apply to everyone and so are very hurtful, especially when the person you are addressing knows that their intelligence is below average. There's no need to be cruel in order to be honest. You are young and have much to learn but at least you're thinking.
@choltonr409 (48)
• United States
2 Mar 09
It is very cruel if you think about what you are really saying. If retarded was a medical term and is now taken as an insault what is going to happen with a term like mentally challenged? You have some people running around using that negatively then what? I got the idea for this topic from a story I had read a long time ago called Flowers For Algernon. I never finished the story but from what I remember it is about a man who has no family and his IQ is something like 70. He has an operating that will triple his IQ. I would reccomend reading it because it shows how cruel people can be.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
2 Mar 09
You really should finish the book. It is sad, inspiring, wondrous, touching and unforgettable. Cliff Robertson played the man in the movie, which is one of the few that captures the spirit of the book from which it is written.
I don't quite understand you, though. You have no hesitation using words like stupid or moron but object to mental retardation as a term?
1 person likes this
@choltonr409 (48)
• United States
3 Mar 09
well i guess my opinion is hard to explain stupid is the only word of these I use and it is almost never if at all used to discribe a person i think that it is not how you are that makes you stupid it is what you do depending on what is expected of you and when i say term i use it loosly i do not use quotes that much.
