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Oct. 7th, 2008 09:25 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rmhttp://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/07/us/07aging.html
Fascinating article on the harm of addressing seniors with elder-speak.
But what really struck me? The toll of words like "sweetie" and "dear" that the article notes are also used for children in a way that can also be disrespectful and isolating. What the article doesn't note: is that these words are used in the same way on women of all ages, and yes, it makes us angry and uncooperative too.
Fascinating article on the harm of addressing seniors with elder-speak.
But what really struck me? The toll of words like "sweetie" and "dear" that the article notes are also used for children in a way that can also be disrespectful and isolating. What the article doesn't note: is that these words are used in the same way on women of all ages, and yes, it makes us angry and uncooperative too.
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no subject
Date: 2008-10-07 07:07 pm (UTC)I call people "sweetie," "hon/honey," "doll," "babe," "darling," &c. I don't mean anything demeaning by it, it's just what I do. :-/ I use them more as terms of endearment, but I can see how people might be offended. As it is, I use them for everyone and try not to use them use them with people I don't know.
I have no idea why I made this all about me. :-P Carry on.
Edited for clarification.