Is it offensive to refer to your son as “the kid”?

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]As in, “I gotta pick up the kid from school today”? Or are people overreacting if they find that offensive?[/quote]

Maybe your child doesn't like being referred to as a young goat.[/quote]

Maybe get the stick out of your ass and reassess

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I refer to my kids as "the kids" when discussing with DH. As in "are you getting the kids from aftercare or am I?" I don't see what the issue is.

When there is only one child, you are substituting "kid" for their name, so it is intentionally depersonalizing the individual a nameless generic with no identity -- much like saying "the wife," when simply saying her name would be more appropriate, treating her as an individual instead of "a role." Whereas, referring to a collective group a children as "kids" is short hand for naming each of them individually and in context unnecessarily; same for family, or grandparents, or class. The kid, the wife, the old ball and chain, the old man -- those are intentionally depersonalizing terms, though in context they can also become terms of endearment.

The use of "the" in front elevates them to a proper noun.

You must really hate it when people get named Jenny.

[Anonymous]

I like using "kid" because it is gender neutral. I also wonder if there are regional speech differences at play. I am from Texas, and I don't think "kid" is insulting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only person I know who does this also says "the Wife." He's affecting a particular kind of persona that he thinks is funny. It's not offensive, though I do find him a little annoying.

"The Wife" always sounds like someone referring to a very old car or appliance he hasn't gotten around to replacing yet.

I think the guy I know thinks its funny. He seems to use it to change his actual wife into a generic wife who does generic wifely things. "The Wife" likes shopping and nagging him and Starbucks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only person I know who does this also says "the Wife." He's affecting a particular kind of persona that he thinks is funny. It's not offensive, though I do find him a little annoying.

We might have the same person in our lives .. your description is well said

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Goats have kids so yes...I do think it is a class issue.My parents always referred to us as children and I do the same.

You are ridiculous. Why is everyone on here always talking about “class” as if it’s 1800s England. Trying to claim some kind of class because you say children instead of kid is just sad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My father always referred to us as “kiddo”. I think it’s condescending and rude and unkind.

Was your father an unkind man? Or was he kidding around?

[Anonymous]

Ha I remember my MIL exploding about the whole goats/kids thing bc we referred to our unborn child as the kid. Turns out she was just annoyed she didn't know the sex of the child. 🙄

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know someone who refers to her kid as “the heir” so the kid is better than that.

That is hilarious.

[Anonymous]

I knew a woman who had an only and referred to him as “the boy”. I’m taking the boy out to lunch, ice cream with the boy etc…” I actually think kid sounds slightly better.

[Anonymous]

It's silly but not offensive.

[Anonymous]

I say “I have to pick up the kids” all the time. Is it weird because you hear it in the singular? I agree “my kid” sounds more normal but “I have to get the baby from daycare” sounds normal too. I think you’re overthinking it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As in, “I gotta pick up the kid from school today”? Or are people overreacting if they find that offensive?

Yes. Young humans are not goats and should be referred to as child or children or by their given name.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As in, “I gotta pick up the kid from school today”? Or are people overreacting if they find that offensive?

Yes. Young humans are not goats and should be referred to as child or children or by their given name.

But what if their name is Jenny? Are they a donkey or a human?

[Anonymous]

I refer to my child as “the as*hole” so I think it’s fine.