How to explain the use of boomer, Karen is derogatory?

[NightSpot]

Teen Ds's. They use boomer and Karen all the time. I have said I do not like them. They argue they are not slurs, whereas I think they are. I also say Karen is misogynistic. I am not good with words and they argue rings around me.

Can someone explain in a way I can repeat? I do think though that they should respect that our house is not a playground, where I am sure they all use those words, and therefore they should respect the fact I do not want to hear them.

The same with sticking up for women is seen as TERF behaviour.

I basically need coherent arguments that make them understand why all three terms are horrible.

comparing being called a Karen to misogyny is typical Karen behavior - I can see why your kids might call you it

So now I'm a Karen? Well I'm not called Karen, but there were two in my primary school class. I don't think I should be insulted because I am a woman aged between 45 and 55 who dares to have an opinion (which is what it's actually about - women over a certain age should disappear, and no women should dare to have opinions).

If my son called me a karen I'd slap him (only half joking).

I think my husband technically falls into the baby boomer generation. I still don't think it's offensive unless it's used in an offensive way - it's much easier than saying "those born between x date and y date".

I am in the Gen X category (I think).

Never heard of the name Karen being used as a slur, its just a name surely?

Perhaps though Boomer has taken on more of a perceived insult by boomers themselves because what it insinuates is a bit too close to home?

Is it anymore of an insult than Snowflake or Millenium? both words folk born between 1946 and 1964 tend to like throwing around.

@Justanotherlurker

The people offended by Karen and especially boomer have been happily categorising certain demographics as 'gammon' and white, pale and male. It was only a matter of time for idpol to catch up

No I haven’t

Hate sheeple and snowflake as well

I thought a "gammon" was used to describe a more extreme Brexiteer. Nothing to do with demographics and everything to do with the opinions they hold (though I'd associate it more with men than women). Happy to be corrected though.

My son started calling me a boomer, I tried explaining the above, but he insisted it wasn't a slur. So I started calling him crotch fruit/goblin in my reply, everytime he said it & funnily enough it's now stopped.

I do think though that they should respect that our house is not a playground, where I am sure they all use those words, and therefore they should respect the fact I do not want to hear them

But to go back to the OP - if you don't like the words, they don't get used in your house. DS thinks we are too bourgois about swearing (it's just words). Tough this is a case where my house my rules apply.

Hang on, I thought all Boomers were Gammon who voted for Brexit? Isn't it the Snowflakes who use the Gammon term and "white pale and male?"

I am getting very cinfused, but then again us Karens are not very bright.

We can't spell either!

comparing being called a Karen to misogyny is typical Karen behavior

Shaming people who call out misogyny is typical misogynist behaviour.

Folk that would be offended by boomer and Karen are absolutely the same folk to call millennials snowflakes.

I don't think I should be insulted because I am a woman aged between 45 and 55 who dares to have an opinion (which is what it's actually about - women over a certain age should disappear, and no women should dare to have opinions).

My kids use the term Karen. They don’t use it as you describe. It’s only for the ridiculously rude women who complain about things which are ridiculous. Most people would roll their eyes at people like this.

I agree with you, these terms are both slurs.

Well most of this just sounds inaccurate.

How old are you OP? Are you a Boomer? If not, then explain that fact. Tell them you don't call them Millennials so they shouldn't incorrectly refer to you as a Boomer (unless you are that age)

The Karen thing is just lazy and dated and makes them sund stupid - I would tell them this.

I do not at all get the link between being a feminist and being a TERF. I am a feminist who is happy to stand up for Trans rights.

I would sit down with them and try to tell them seriously that you are worried they are going to come across as a bit thick so you wanted to make sure they understood these things.

On the other hand, most teens go through this stage and are very embarrassed when they get older so I wouldn't dwell on it too much. Regarding teenagers are irritating lodgers is usually the best way.

All the terms we're talking about are narrow minded non-think whatever side of the argument (and there always is one) you fall. It's just a way for everyone to get more angry and more divided and less properly critical about anything. I'm sure this type of language is beneath your kids' intelligence.

The thing is - as a kid I probably said “alright grandad” to my dad. Every generation thinks they’re the first to discover everything.

I dislike Karen more as I think here in the Uk it’s a bit of a snidiness about class - but again when I was younger it would be calling someone a chav.

Teenagers will always find ways to disparage anyone older - it’s what they do

I’m in the US so it may be different here but ‘a Karen’ is a woman who exploits her white privilege and looks down on those who she perceives as ‘beneath her’ in an obnoxious fashion with very little self awareness. There is a male equivalent, ‘the Ken’. It’s not a sexist thing because the behaviour can be perpetrated by both sexes. They are definitely associated with certain physical characteristics, which is low, but it’s the behaviour that’s being mocked—and rightly so!

I don't think 'Karen' has the racist connotations in the uk that I know it has in the US.
It is classist because it seems to be something thrown at middle/working class, Middle Aged women who have the temerity to argue against young woke people. Many Karens could also be accused of being TERFs.

The proper use of the terms Babyboomer and Millenniall refer to the demographics of an age group/generation.

It’s hard to discuss the actual demographics without using the terms. So, l think:

Babyboomer refers to the generation but ‘Boomer’ is a derogatory insult.

Millennialls refer to a generation, but Millenniall Snowflake is a derogatory insult.

My ds (Millenniall) and myself (Tail Edge Boomer/Gen X) have frequent conversations about why these terms are now used as insults.

And I’ve spelt Millennial wrong!!!

Folk that would be offended by boomer and Karen are absolutely the same folk to call millennials snowflakes

No they aren’t

Nope. My dad is 73 and uses snowflake (he thinks it's funny!). He is a genuine baby boomer. I don't use that word.

Folk that would be offended by boomer and Karen are absolutely the same folk to call millennials snowflakes

No, they’re not. I’m not offended by the term boomer, I use it myself to reference my generation. I object to it being used as an insult.

As far as I’m concerned you can be a snowflake at any age, it describes a state of mind, not an age group.

@letsghostdance

Folk that would be offended by boomer and Karen are absolutely the same folk to call millennials snowflakes.

Really, really not.

I've been called 'snowflake' more times than I can count. I've also been called 'Karen' (the latter for tweeting in support of JKR).

I can't stand either.

I understand Boomer to be ageist, Karen to be both ageist and sexist. Both are intended to dismiss the person they are aimed at, just like TERF is really.

I also get really peeved if it get lumped in with the baby boomers as I am Generation X, and it's lazy.

And even Millennials get called it by teenagers