• prettybunnys@sh.itjust.works
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    1 year ago

    There is an effort to change the language used to try to remove some stigma.

    Homeless implies they don’t have a home through some fault of theirs whereas unhoused helps inform that it’s a failure of society.

    Like saying someone who is addicted to heroin and needs help is “sick” rather than an “addict” because of the stigma around the word.

    “Homeless” has stigma and stigma can create barriers where none need exist.

    • nkat2112@sh.itjust.works
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      1 year ago

      This is nice - thank you for sharing this. I’ll be using the term “unhoused” going forward.

      EDIT: clarity

      • prettybunnys@sh.itjust.works
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        1 year ago

        Thanks, words have meaning and languages are living things so it makes sense to change our words when their meanings no longer reflect their purpose.

        • feedum_sneedson@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          Having been “unhoused” myself, I can assure you the least important thing about my situation was other people’s choice of vocabulary in describing it.

          • prettybunnys@sh.itjust.works
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            1 year ago

            Having been unhoused myself I can agree but the idea isn’t about you or I directly but about swaying public opinion in an effort to change the narrative.