Kids V Children

Lol, yeah that is right.
I still love being a kid though.

 

Depends on what I am saying. Usually I just say kids because I am not a kindergarten teacher.

 

I just call them kids. My mom still calls me a kid even though I'm 24.. I hate it

 

What I have noticed is that lots of time, you get annoyed when someone calls you kid/child, and you are not in that range.

 

It's better than 'sport' - what the hell is that all about?

 

Well yeah, I guess it's a given.

 

I usually say kids unless it is a formal situation or professional.

For example asking someone I do not know well if they have children. Asking a friend how are the kids.

 

I call mine both and they don't mind either. These days they are young adults. I do not see anything patronizing about calling them kids. I grew up around some intellectual elitist who would get high and holy about the usage of certain words,beliefs and politics, but really it is the feeling behind the words we use that counts. I love my kids and they love me.

 

I use both, however I probably say child(ren) more frequently.

 

Hell, I still call myself a kid. And everyone younger than me. And everyone who hangs out with me. lol

 

Eh?
I find "children" patronising its like the old Victorian phrase that some people still use - "minors".
"Children" to me is like saying they're not really people, in some contexts.

Kids is much nicer, its showing a respect and a regard. Also, its only referring to their lack of experience with life, and their youthfulness. So a "kid" could be someone 14, 17, 25 or more, depending on the situation ie a more pragmatic phrase.

"Children" is an absolute phrase. To me, its like saying "someone isn't important, because of their age". Its like its a discriminatory phrase.

Atleast, thats how I always felt, when I was a kid.

 

"minors" sounds like a more formal term to me, that still remains handy in more formal conversations. Technically children are just what the word implies, minors, so I don't have any problem with it. Kids and children have both the exact same use for me. If some kid might find that offensive or discriminating that is entirely their problem. I have never felt that they took it the wrong way though, it probably lies more in the way you bring it.

 

Don't forget the story about the dude that came into the bar after a hard day's work in the mine and asked for a drink. The bartender said, "Sorry. We don't serve miners here."

 

Yeah I think I miswrote it there, sort of thinking out loud.
I was just surprised that Odon preferred one over the other.

I think it many contexts there's nothing wrong with the word "child" etc.

But I remember myself being 12 to 17, and thinking "well kid is much better for a lot of circumstances" because I wasnt automatically "not like an adult"in these matters.

I definitely dont think that the word child is automatically discriminatory. But it could be eg when someone is 17 yrs and 360 days and cant drink in a bar etc. Whereas a kid could be someone 18, 19, even 27 years old, in some circumstances.

 

It's like entropy for language. If something can be expressed by a single syllable, then we will tend towards the single syllable version.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pF99m4wGgqw"]The Who-The Kids are Alright

 

It's because I am constantly hearing the word 'kid(s)' - it has just started to grate on my nerves. Perhaps here 'kid' is not as snobby as 'children' - so the 'commoner', as it were, reverts to 'kids' - much like 'loo' rather than 'lavatory'.
I don't know. Perhaps 'children' is more formal: A Children s Hospital rather than a Kids hospital.

I don't get so worked up over mum and mother.

I think the general feeling (here) is: Circumstances. Nothing wrong with 'kid'. It's the feeling behind the words we use that counts.

*takes a nap*