Have We Gotten Too Sensitive?

Updated on April 01, 2011
B.B. asks from New Haven, CT
24 answers

Honestly, there have been several posts in the past few days where people have blown things WAY out of proportion. It is like we can't say anything anymore. I really do try to make sure that I am not saying something that I know would offend people, but this is just crazy. Maybe I am just hormonal, but it seems to me like society is just getting too sensitive and political correctness has gone too far. Am I the only one that is scratching my head wondering what the big deal is? Is my sensitivity meter out of whack?

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K.A.

answers from Grand Junction on

Absolutely. I think people are afraid of hearing the truth and too focused on themselves to really hear what people have to say. It really is sad. It goes beyond just here. I also think people are too afraid of what others think. It relates to work, school, parenting, families etc. It is all over.

6 moms found this helpful
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L.L.

answers from Topeka on

Yup....I think that we can sit back & blow off at someone that we don't know or they can send a PM to us thinking that they can blow us off by doing so.Personally I think ladies have their panties in a bunch time to take the wedge out....

5 moms found this helpful

A.G.

answers from Dallas on

I agree with you completely. As a society we are way too sensitive and worried about being politically correct.

4 moms found this helpful

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J.B.

answers from Atlanta on

I think you're right! I'm not sure of the posts you're referring to (although the one about using the word "stupid" comes to mind -couldn't roll my eyes hard enough at people having such an issue with that word!), but in society in general -YES! Everyone seems to expect to be handled with kid gloves and they also want their children to be handled that way as well. The world is usually not that way. I think much of our nation needs a big dose of "suck it up" and people need to grow thicker skins -and they need to start growing them in childhood.

People also blow things so far out of proportion, it's nuts! If a kid calls your kid a name at school one day -that's regular childhood NOT bullying! If that kid repeatedly and on a constant basis calls your child names and makes them miserable -THAT is bullying. The list of "offenses" people get so worked up about goes on and on -it's like no one can cope with anything anymore.

19 moms found this helpful
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K.M.

answers from Kansas City on

I don't think people are too sensitive--I just think people post a question and don't want to really hear what others have to say. For instance, a person posted a comment about getting married (I won't go into too much detail). I went back and read her other recent posts and she wrote about her future husband not being hard working and that she wasn't sure if she should marry him. I pointed that out and she freaked! Hello?!?!? It was her words from a very recent post. Anyways, my answer was deleted. I got several flowers for my response and even a personal message. It was not degrading, harsh, judgmental, or anything like that. I was just asking her to look deep within herself. I think she's a little crazy, so maybe that was the problem.

15 moms found this helpful

T.N.

answers from Albany on

Whatchoo mean we're too sensitive?! How rude and offensive of you to suggest such a thing!! I am highly INSULTED!!!!

BAHAWAHAHA!!~!

Your are so right, we all really need to lighten up a little and enjoy each other's differences and passions!!

:)

10 moms found this helpful

M.P.

answers from Provo on

We're women. Of course were overly sensitive. Oh wait. I shouldn't have said that. It could be taken as stereotyping. Can't have that!

8 moms found this helpful
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R.R.

answers from Dallas on

I think our society in general has gotten more outspoken, and the pendulum swing of that is more sensitive.

For instance - even on this site, I've seen people use the words "Repukes" and "Demoncrats" instead of "Republicans" and "Democrats". REALLY? I'm one of those and would never denegrate people who have chosen the other side. But it did hit a nerve when I saw one mom use one of those terms. Just unnecessary and in my opinion immature.

As moms, I believe that a lot of your own self worth is tied up in the job you do as a mom, and for someone to say that you are doing it wrong is hurtful. I generally try to choose my words very carefully especially online where it is easy to misunderstand. I am old school and definately do not agree with some of the trends in child raising, several that are routinely endorsed on here. I just keep my mouth shut. Been there, done that, and I know the outcome.

Often times, when someone has made a comment on here that in my opinion crosses the sensitivity line, I can make a pretty educated guess as to the age and/or IQ of the individual.

7 moms found this helpful

L.U.

answers from Seattle on

Nope, I think you are right. people are getting a little too sensitive, a little too PC. Really? I know that you are probably thinking of the post of the woman that said something about "slave/servant". I didn't even think anything of it and rolled my eyes when I saw that someone did.
I just saw on the news last night that there is a town in our state (WA) that is going to change their Easter Egg hunt to a Spring Egg hunt so as to not offend. PUH-leeze.
I am not a huge religious person, but it's CHRISTMAS break, EASTER egg hunts!! geesh
I just say what I say. You wanna get offended, fine. But, I would rather get offended about something that counts (the "n" word, racism, sexism ect).
L.

6 moms found this helpful

G.T.

answers from Modesto on

I think the women on here feel crazier some days than others.

6 moms found this helpful

J.F.

answers from Philadelphia on

haha I was thinking the same thing after my last post.....people seem to take offense to everything, or judge instead of answering a question uhmmmmmm
I
V
that was my interpretation of a down arrow=)

5 moms found this helpful

M.D.

answers from Dallas on

I agree for the most part, most people are way too sensitive. I'm not just talking about this site either, in general. Even in our parenting, we ask ourselves are we being too mean in our words, or actions, etc. Now are kids are growing up with no backbones, well some of them. Trying to please everyone and miserable inside. Maybe I'm speaking more of myself, maybe this is hitting with others. I do feel if you ask for opinions you need to be big enough to take them, the good, bad and ugly.... Hey we all know of someone out there who will be mean no matter what the question is, or argumentative... so do you stop asking, no, let it be like dirt on your feet, wipe it off and move on...

5 moms found this helpful
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K.E.

answers from Denver on

I don't think you are alone in thinking that people are way to sensitive nowadays. I am sure I have my days too, but I figure most of the time life is too short to worry and take everything the wrong way. I am in the camp that not everyone is out to get you, people for the most part are good, and not to sweat the little stuff. Perhaps some people are so sensitive because of insecurity or lack of a full life. Some people have found that if they have a victims complex they don't have to be accountable for their own issues. As for the political correctness why cant we just be people? I think we as a society need to sit back and learn to laugh a little and be able to poke fun at ourselves. Focus on the real issues and not worry about the little stuff. So if your sensitivity meter is out of whack... I'm right there with you. :-)

4 moms found this helpful
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M.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Totally agree with you-we are WAY too sensitive.

4 moms found this helpful
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P.O.

answers from Harrisburg on

I think offense comes when there is judgement and attack on a person instead of directing the focus on the question. It also warrants such a response when the poster isn't conscious of what they are asking...they open the can of worms and then worry about them being pests. I think it is also based on what type of day any one of us ladies are having too..

4 moms found this helpful
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3.B.

answers from Cleveland on

I think it goes both ways.
Sometimes while responses to a question may be truthful, alot of answers are worded in ways that are down right nasty. While you set yourself up for all kinds of comments by posting a question, I've seen plenty of times where a response was really out of line, and downright rude. Almost as if it hit a personal nerve with the person answering.
There have been times where I've read a question, and could've really let the person have it. But what does that solve? There are ways to word things that can get straight to the point and be honest without be insulting and degrading. We as moms should ALL be sympathetic to the stresses of our roles as mothers,wives,daughters, employee whatever the case. And not take chances to rip one another apart. Personally if your only answer to someone is nasty, keep it to yourself. Who is that helping?
JMO :)

4 moms found this helpful
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E.M.

answers from Johnstown on

Nope, you're totally correct. That's why I'm trying to be quiet on here more than normal...don't want to offend someone. Sad thing is that when you read things, the intended tone in the response never comes through. Alot of people think you're accusing when you're merely suggesting. Gotta love it :-(

3 moms found this helpful

A.G.

answers from Houston on

Completely agree, i roll my eyes at most of this world 1/10 of the time.

3 moms found this helpful

T.K.

answers from Dallas on

One person will say we are too P.C. the next will say we've lost all civility in our society. There is no such thing as tact anymore. There are no boundaries of good taste or propriety. It probably depends if you're on the giving or recieving end to tell the absolute truth. We all give better than we get. In other words...we can dish it but we can't take it.

3 moms found this helpful

A.S.

answers from Detroit on

Agreed. I've thought that way for a LONG time.

2 moms found this helpful

M.B.

answers from St. Louis on

.

J.C.

answers from Columbus on

Hahaha! my sister was just telling me the other day that our generation is known worldwide as the 'strawberry' generation, because even if the slightest thing happens, we bruise (feelings get hurt) lol!

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D.S.

answers from Fort Walton Beach on

I agree - many times people are sensitive and blow things way out of proportion. Often times it has to do with something they feel particularly defensive about; breastfeeding, cosleeping, gun control, ADD, smoking, etc... the list is endless. It's like we want to defend out self and our beliefs before someone has a chance to disagree with us.
I must have missed the slave thing - no clue what you guys are talking about.
Oh - just a *small* sensitivity on my part :-) technically it's freedom OF religion, not freedom from religion as another poster said.

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K.S.

answers from Kansas City on

I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH YOU!!!!! All of the PC crud is ruining everyone. Pretty soon the ground will covered with eggshells and we'll all be tip toeing around (more so than we are now!!).

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