What is a feral child to you? I hate the expression.

[EachandEveryone]

It’s on T-shirts and birthday cards and posters. I’ve heard teachers saying it about their pupils, mums calling it to their children and, the other day my friends ? Adhd child on his birthday got wished on Facebook (where she shares everything about this kid) by her friends happy birthday you little weirdo. Three times feral was mentioned and twice weirdo,

am I being over sensitive about this or does mud stick. I just can’t stand it I thought it meant a child raised my wolves 😁

I think some people like their child being known as feral like the child is spirited/ into everything/ no boundaries/ a bit wild.

It's not in the same category imo as 'chav' for example.

I think weirdo is a word that is wrong to be used in the way it sounds like people have used it toward a child.

That just sounds like normal kids, really, does it not?

I use it in this context to mean they enjoying jumping in huge muddy puddles, rolling down hills, just having fun outside and coming back covered in mud, grass stains and with twigs in their hair.

People really apply it’s definition in a literal way?

Yes, technically it’s not a compliment but as 90% of the posts here have confirmed, it’s not really used in a derogatory, insulting way in these parts of the world, especially as it’s used often by a child’s own parents.

When I think of a feral kid, I imagine someone with messy hair, always active, a dirty face, mismatched clothes, filthy feet, playing in puddles like it’s a bath, eating with dirty hands, snotty nose etc.

“God look at the state of my Jack’s hair, he’s absolutely feral” and so on.

To be honest I agree with you, and that's what my dc are like but so many people have said to me that my dc are weird and they should be staring at screens like zombies at their ages (youngest is 10).

The only feral child I knew would regularly stick his head through our cat flap and shout swearwords up the stairs

Yes, that would be the proper definition of feral.

Feral...not great (especially for teachers to say it!) but heard worse...such as Wierdo.....completely unacceptable!!

Feral seems to be abit like 'sassy' or what 'diva' used to be.....one of those words that becomes trendy to spread about.

there’s different meanings. one is lighthearted and one isn’t.

calling your own kids feral = mainly humorous and lighthearted

“DS had his birthday party last week, there were 20 of them charging round the house playing games and screaming non stop, absolutely feral, ha ha!”

others describing your kids as feral means wild and badly behaved. “Those kids wearing balaclavas and setting fire to the bus stop are bloody feral”

Until this thread, I've only ever heard it used in the context of children who have survived with little or no care from adults and no socialisation. Didn't know it had become an affectionate term for children allowed to run a bit free and get a bit grubby.

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Feral to me is running wild, nowhere to go, scavenging on the streets.

I hate the expression. We have a small estate locally where some of the primary children are dropped off at 3.15 but their parents don't get home until after 6 and they are left to wander around to a little tribe, regardless of the weather.

They are so vulnerable and it worries me. There is nothing good about it.

So is this now the present day equivalent of 'Mummy's Little Rascal'...?

I realise language changes, but to my mind 'feral' sounds demeaning.

Also, what new word are we meant to use to describe children who really are being brought up to be feral?

It’s the new word for spirited. I know kids (and adults!) like this - it’s not the children’s fault but the word is accurate.

I’ve always heard it said in an affectionate way…..my DD calls her DD2 feral….just means she’s a bit wilder than her DD1 ….doesn’t mean anything bad

If you look at the original meaning of Feral, it does fit. Feral means "existing in a wild state, especially after escape from captivity".

To me, feral child is the perfect epithet for the unloved, out-of -control offspring of an abusive or neglectful family. Kids existing, not living.

I think most people like to use it in a humorous way, I get it.

I wouldn’t use it, personally.

Sorry to revive my thread. So a teacher has just posted on fb how her school has been classed as outstanding even though the children are all feral. I must just be really sensitive.

it’s a school for excluded children etc.

They probably are feral.

But how incredibly unprofessional of her to post that. Disciplinary incoming, or it should be.