c9 | The Power of Language

Sitting here in the wi-fi section of YHZ, across from the kids' play area, I got to thinking. First I planned to make a post about how our children will be soquiet since they can't scream MOMMMEEEEEEEEEE as seems to be in vogue with the little ones across from me. Constantly. Seriously, it's a bit much. :) But then I started to read a little, and found an interesting table on Wikipedia, reproduced here for your reading pleasure and/or commentary.

Non-preferred:	Preferred:	Reason for preference:
your own child	birth child	Saying a birth child is your own child or one of your own children implies that an adopted child is not.
child is adopted	child was adopted	Some adoptees believe that their adoption is not their identity, but is an event that happened to them. ("Adopted" becomes a participle rather than an adjective.) Others contend that "is adopted" makes adoption sound like a disability to be overcome.
give up for adoption	place for adoption or make an adoption plan	"Give up" implies a lack of value. The preferred terms are more emotionally neutral.
real mother/father/parent	birth mother/father/parent or biological mother/father/parent	The use of the term "real" implies that the adoptive family is artificial, and is not as descriptive.
birth mother/father/parent	natural mother/father/parent	A contrary view to the above, especially held by those in Ireland who cared for their children before being forced to relinquish them to adoption, is that the term 'birth' mother implies that they only served as a brood mare when in fact they often raised and cared for their children for up to two years.[1]
your adopted child	your child	The use of the adjective 'adopted' signals that the relationship is qualitatively different from that of parents to birth children.