I was never one that was real uptight about others speaking Politically Correct (PC). Although I didn't make a habit of using words to purposely hurt or discriminate against others.
However, since crossing over into the adoption world, I realize how harmful words can be. Even ones that are well meant or spoken very innocently can cause hurt toward my family or more importantly our son/daughter.
So now I find myself advocating what is known as "Positive Adoption Language". For example:
Instead of using : ---------------Use this:
Real parent ---------------------Birthparent
Natural parent -----------------Biological parent
Own child ----------------------My child/biological child/birthchild
Foreign child -------------------Child from abroad/international
Adoptive parent ----------------Parent
Give up ------------------------Make an adoption plan
Foreign Adoption ---------------Internation adoption
If someone asks: Do you have any children of your own? And our child overhears the conversation, I don't want our child to think that because he/she was adopted that "he/she is not ours". It is just a matter of thinking of what the words mean to everyone. . . especially little ones. :)
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