Is this a mean thing to say about someone in your school year group?

‘He’s a freak. I don’t like him’.

How would you feel if you heard this being said about you to others in your year group by someone?

Do you think the person who said it was mean/cruel?
Parents
  • This person doesn't like you. Most people don't like everyone they meet. As such, there's nothing wrong you simply because they feel this way, nor is there necessarily anything wrong with this person expressing their opinion.

    Freak can have a varied definition, esp amongst school children, so it's difficult to know specifically what this person meant in regards to how they perceive you.

    I have a strong sense of social justice and used to be infuriated when others expressed their dislike for people, especially when it was behind their backs. Over time I've come to learn that this is a socially acceptable norm and actually it can do a lot of good for these opinions to be expressed. For example, saying out loud why you dislike someone can sometimes highlight to you how you are blowing things out of proportion, how you might be being unkind etc. It also gives others the chance to give their opinions, which can open your mind to why people might behave or react the way they do and that this might not necessarily be a bad thing.

Reply
  • This person doesn't like you. Most people don't like everyone they meet. As such, there's nothing wrong you simply because they feel this way, nor is there necessarily anything wrong with this person expressing their opinion.

    Freak can have a varied definition, esp amongst school children, so it's difficult to know specifically what this person meant in regards to how they perceive you.

    I have a strong sense of social justice and used to be infuriated when others expressed their dislike for people, especially when it was behind their backs. Over time I've come to learn that this is a socially acceptable norm and actually it can do a lot of good for these opinions to be expressed. For example, saying out loud why you dislike someone can sometimes highlight to you how you are blowing things out of proportion, how you might be being unkind etc. It also gives others the chance to give their opinions, which can open your mind to why people might behave or react the way they do and that this might not necessarily be a bad thing.

Children
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