What do you think?

I make the argument that using derogatory words like "bitch", "****", or any other word like that against someone is a form of verbal abuse. What do you think?

 

The same could be said of most any word(s).
'Intent' is the first thing that comes to Mind.

Ever train dogs?
It's not Webster's Unabridged definitions at work there...

 

How about try talking things out instead of just jumping to name calling?

 

I don't think it really matters...if you're being called something like that...it's obviously not meant in a NICE way.

 

I feel like those words are very derogatory. I explained to my husband years ago that calling a woman a bitch is like calling a black person a ******. I understand that some people use both words casually, but I use neither.

Words like "ass" "jerk" "loser" "stupid" could mean anyone. But bitch or **** is reserved for women specifically like ****** is reserved for black people. They are definitely nasty words meant to put women down.

 

Thank you. You are understanding EXACTLY what I mean.

 

I clicked "other" they are a form of verbal abuse when used to put women down.. otherwise they are just words.

 

No, men traditionally get called "son of a bitch."

You are actually to tell me that "bitch" is a genderless insult? Even if they are calling a man a bitch to demasculize him that is still insulting to women. Why can't they just call him a girl or women to demasculize him? Why bitch? Because it is a doragatory name for women, made even more derogatory by labeling a man that. Insulting women to insult a man more.

What if I went up to a white skinhead teen KKK member and called him a ******? I am still calling him that BECAUSE it is a bad name for a black person.

 

Bitch is in no way specific to women. For one, it's actual definition, then it also can be targetted to guys.. Either way, words are only words, they're only "abusive" if you choose to take them in that manner.

 

The problem is that society has already chosen to take them in that manner. "Bitch" was originally a word meant to define "a female canine". Society already took it from just a word to a derogatory expression.


I'm not trying to imply here that I freak out on some crazy man-hating rant every time I hear the word. I am just giving my personal opinion on the use of it.

 

So you just think what you think society thinks you should think? Sounds a bit ridiculous doesn't it?

 

No, but I do live in the society I live in, and have to deal with those realities.

 

I don't Think I Think as society Thinks I should Think.
Anyone else that Radical? *c*


This Post is as silly as this Thread's subject......geesh......they're only words.
Already Emotions are interfering with Logic/Facts.
This may prove to be entertaining as it's still Daylight out there...

 

Of course they are words, but they are implied to be derogatory.

I've been many abusive relationships...I would get called names constantly to put me down.

My current relationship is not abusive and not once...not even joking...has he ever called me a **** or a bitch...

 

So since it IS unhealthy...why would it be OK for men (or women) to say those things?

 

If you want to go around the country calling every lazy person you meet a ****** because that's what you insist it means, then be my guest - but I guraentee the results would not be good.

If someone says "what a bitch" the average person is going to assume they are talking about a woman, just like if someone says "what a ******" the average person would assume they are talking about a black person. That is the shame of those words. You all agree that they used to, and can still, mean other things, but that doesn't negate the reality of the situation.

Regardless of what some words were originally intended to mean, slang takes on a life of it's own and can transform words. Words are just words, yes, but words can be very powerful as well. How we use our words, and how we refer to people in our community, does have an impact on our society.


Edit: I still support free speach here, people. It isn't like i think it is or should be some sort of crime to say "bitch." It is just my opinion that the word IS derogatory towards women because society has made it that way, regardless of the original definition of the word. This matter is entirely subjective, and no word can be factually or objectively "good" or "bad." This is just one woman's feelings on the issue.

 

This is such an egoistical point of view. The word is obviously meant to be preceived as derogatory towards women just like the word ****** is obviously meant to be preceived as derogatory towards black people. Should we tell black people to change their perception so they aren't so insulted by the word "******"?

The word is what we have made it, people. And that is just the way it is. It was turned into something meant to be offensive towards women, so OMG! It offends me! WOW...How did that happen??!!

Now don't get the impression I sit in bed and cry over it at night or something, I just refuse to defend anyone's use of it. I support free speach, that doesn't mean I can never find anything that's been said to be derogatory. Free speech doesn't mean speach cannot be used in harmful ways. Saying "words are just words" does not justify how society is using them.

 

I voted other, because it depends on how they are used. I mean, you may find this strange but my boyfriend jokingly calls me a **** and I call it to him back- just in a joking way. Before I met him I didn't ever use the word but he used it in a jokey way so the word has lost its affect on me and it isn't negative when he uses it. However if someone said it to me in a horrible way then obviously that would be verbal abuse- it depends on the situation.

 

You are being too simplistic here. One person making up a word is completely different that an entire culture using a word derogatorily.

Maybe if people tried to stop being offensive based simply on one's gender or race (things completely out of our control) then that would stop a lot of conflict. I think it is more fair then asking the offended to just stop worrying about it. If people don't speak up against those degradeing them because of their gender or race then that behavior will become an accepted social norm. Accepting degradation and letting it roll off our shoulders will not stop it from happening, and will not take any power away from those words.

 

Tell that to Martin Luther King, or to the "fags" that get beaten down at bars. A fag is just a cigarette, right...that's all! So don't get offended when I am calling you one!

Please


Our language and how we refer to people has an effect on the type of society we create and nurture. A society that is comfortable being openly degrading to black people, for example, isn't going to be a great environment for black people. Same goes for any gender or race.

Words are more than just words. Words are how human beings communicate and relate.