I agree, Marlene. Echoes of Muriel Schultz's classic 1975 paper, The 
semantic derogation of women, which discussed how, historically, many words 
about women have started off positive or neutral, but gathered negative 
connotations over time.
Welfare has such negative conntations, yet its literal meaning is so 
positive. If it can't escape the derogation, nothing will.
Melissa

Melissa Raven, Lecturer
Department of Public Health, Flinders University
GPO Box 2100, ADELAIDE  SA  5001
Physical address G5 Flats, Flinders Medical Centre, BEDFORD PARK
Phone  (08) 8204 5714   Fax  (08) 8204 5693   International 61 8

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Marlene Rivier" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, March 23, 2006 3:28 PM
Subject: Re: [SDOH] Welfare states and health


It won't matter what term you adopt.  In time it will take on the same 
pejorative meaning.  People  who have intellectual limitations have been
variously said to suffer from mentally deficiency (moron, imbecile, idiot, 
etc.), mental retardation (retards), developmental disability.  Changing the
nomenclature every few years does nothing to address the overvaluing of 
intellect and the devaluing and marginalization of those with less of it in
our culture.

It is the underlying attitude or philosophical stance that is the problem 
and it will not change by virtue of adopting more neutral of even positively
toned language.  In time it will become pejorative because those who oppose 
the concept will it pervert as a matter of politics.

So maybe we just need to own it and define as we choose.

There is a lesson to be learned from any marginalized group that takes 
ownership of the vulgar language used to define and undermine them and in
doing so disempower the words.

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