I got told on this page that using this word regards to humans reproducing is derogatory but the dictionary says this in definition and i cant see how. What do you parents think?;
in American English
(bridɪŋ)
noun
1. the producing of young
2. the rearing of young; upbringing, education, or training, esp. in manners or social behavior
3. good upbringing or training
tolerance is a sign of breeding
4. the producing of plants and animals, esp. for the purpose of developing new or better types
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Don’t say that. That’s weird.
I have a bumper sticker that says “we love breeding and abortions” because we have a shit ton of kids but believe in womens rights to reproductive freedom.
Not offensive to this breeder. Carry on
Yes it’s offensive
Yes it’s offensive
Sayings like “good breeding” is inherently elitist/classist. It assumes the person is wealthy, from a well known family, went to good schools, and likely white. It’s the kind of thing old white people say. It’s offensive as a concept, especially because it’s supposed to be a compliment, but isn’t in the majority of peoples vernacular to be considered offensive as a general statement.
Speaking of specifically calling parents “breeders”, I’ve only ever heard this done by people who are loudly outspoken about their dislike of children and of having to see or hear children in public places. While it is offensive because its meant to be and is being used as a slur, it’s also not something that most people will actually ever hear out loud in public. It’s the kind of thing people say in posts online when they’re ranting, and therefore not really something I personally ever think about and am not likely to be bothered by because that kind of speech is often in singular replies or in their own echo chambers of dialogue. If I ever heard someone call me a breeder out loud because I have a child with me, my first thought would probably be “I get it, you don’t like kids” and not offence to the term.
When talking about having children, saying a woman is breeding/breeds/can be bred it let’s people know you don’t actually think women are people. You think a woman is basically a piece of livestock who only exists to have children and are property that belongs to her husband/father or whatever man is the closest relation to her. It’s highly offensive to not only women, but to their children too, who are now also reduced to just another animal or piece of property. And it’s also offensive to men who don’t hate women and know that they are also people with their own thoughts and feelings.
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Looking at some of the responses, it is to some people, but I don’t understand why.
As a species, we’re mammals and primates, and to reproduce, we breed. It’s just a word that describes our reproductive process.
I think that these days, some people just look for things to be offended by.
Interesting question, and I can see where your confusion comes from. Some words are perfectly valid and innocent, but lose their neutral meaning over time. “Breed” or “breeder” are indeed simply descriptive words, but as they are heavily used in an animal context they are now considered offensive when referring to humans – as if the human has no rational thought, but simply acts on dumb reproductive instinct, like an animal. Same happened to the extremely neutral term “a female”, for instance.
This happens with plenty of words, the other way around too. “Sick”, for instance, is the last word you’d expect to describe something that is great. You will need to combine your dictionary with figuring out how a term is used and seen in society. A starting point may be the Urban Dictionary or you can simply google or ask an AI program.
It’s dehumanising and intended to be so.
How about, it’s a term you can only use with people who you know will not find it offensive. It’s like how it’s ok to say, “Hey, bitches” when greeting your friends, but you’re not going to say that to strangers or at a job interview.
I’ve heard the term “breeders” in a negative manner by childfree people. They also refer to children as “crotch fruit”. Check out their subreddit if you want to see the term being used offensively.
It’s derogatory because it’s almost always used in the context of breeding animals without them having a choice. Forced pairing with the hope they will procreate.
The word itself is not inherently offensive or derogatory, but I’ve never heard it applied to parents in a way that was not offensive or derogatory.