Well, as a red-head I have heard all the stereotypes about being rebellious, hot-tempered and a general pain in the ass for a kid. I lived up to all these expectations - long before I’d even heard of them 
Step-children have a reputation for being difficult for their step parent to deal with/control. Put the two together and you’ve got someone that can only be dealt with on very primal levels - preferrably with hickory! (Just kidding, I don’t think anyone should hit their kids).
The only time I ever met a Down’s Syndrome child, she was quite cantankerous, and from the way her mother (I believe, a single mother) acted, the child quite often behaved in that manner. I don’t recall what color her hair was.
Ray
I’m a redhead. I’m a stepchild. I’m also a stepmother.
I find the “redheaded stepchild” phrase vaguely disturbing, but I can’t exactly say why. When people use that phrase around me, I usually just keep my mouth shut. I know that they’re not deliberately trying to offend me.
No, I wasn’t beaten as a child. Got spanked a few times, but that’s it.
I don’t know WHERE you got your information on children with Downs syndrome having only black hair, but you are totally wrong. Children with this syndrome have every variety of hair color. My nephew has blonde hair–what we call tow-headed. He is a downs syndrome child.
You might want to check out the internet sites to learn a little more about this disorder so you don’t spread anymore disinformation about people with downs.
Nanobyte also raised another good point–children with downs are just people–some are loving, some are not, some are cantankerous, some are spoiled rotten,etc. It is just as stupid to assume that every child with downs is the same as it is to assume that no white people can dance. And, for goodness sake, don’t be one of those obnoxious people who goes up to a family with a downs child and start blabbing about how special he/she is and how all downs children are so sweet and such a gift from God, blah, blah, blah. You might as well go up to an African-American person and start saying, “Oh, I just love your culture. Rap music is so totally cool. I just love Jesse Jackson, blah, blah, blah.” Not only will you sound like an idiot but you will embarass the parents and child.
smilingjaws -
Yes, and no.
You’re right in that Downs syndrome people can have any hair color. If I had stopped to think about, I would have remembered several people instances where that is true. I was quoting information that I learned in college, and I forget that psychology is a young enough science that just under 20 years can make a BIG difference in knowledge. In fact, I checked several pages and
However - keep in mind that I was told less than 20 years ago that dark hair was characteristic - and that this phrase is much older than that. The dark hair was part of the original definition, before science had determined the origin of the problem. In fact, the term “Mongolism” was just being phased in the early '80s. So jwg’s story that it has something to do with Downs is still incorrect.
BTW, I’ve worked with Downs Syndrome children, and I’ve read articles about them as well, and the loving nature and sunny disposition is a common theme.
And I would never go up to a stranger and make personal comments about their child. Be careful when you accuse someone of generalizing that you are not generalizing yourself.
I wasn’t generalizing, this is what I said: “And, for goodness sake, don’t be one of those obnoxious people who goes up to a family with a downs child and start blabbing about how special he/she is and how all downs children are so sweet and such a gift from God, blah, blah, blah.” Note, I did not say that YOU did that.
My sister (whose son is a downs child) has often bitterly complained about people who approach her in public and make remarks about her son’s condition. Glad you’re not one of those people. In the Downs syndrome parental support group she attends, there is a lot of concern that people stereotype downs syndrome children–not just on the limits of their ability, but also on their personalities. Not every downs child is angelic–and even the best natured children can be cranky at times. It puts an unfair burden on them and their parents to assume that they are all cooperative and loving and gentle. People with downs syndrome are simply people–with distinct and individual personalities that range from sunny to sour–just like red-headed stepchildren
Heh, I hate this phrase. It being used in terms of a game developer is so typical; its what I would call “hip-nerd” slang. (Other examples include references to “smoking crack” and pimps) Phrases such as these are used often by a certain type of person, and I’m at a loss to describe them as anything other than “hip-nerds”. Ok, I go now.
Actually, I think its the type of people that watch Southpark - which seems to be the cause of much of this terminology becoming more popular. Good observation though.
[QUOTE]
Originally posted by zyada:
**jwg - your information is incorrect. Downe’s syndrome children always have black hair, as well as vaguely almond-shaped eye similar to asians - thus they were originally called Mongoloids. They are also incredibally loving and positive people, which is why I call them “God’s children”
This is scary - condescension and pity coupled with mis-information. Downs children DO NOT always have black hair. My cousin has Downs, so did the young man on the TV series (I forget the name). NEITHER have black hair.
But to agree also with Zyada.
The phrase or the negative attribution to red heads is not found in Spanish - and yes there are redheads in Spain.
It is an Anglo thing and probably somewhat anti Irish/Scottish - whether due to grooms and out of wedlock births I don’t know. But few cultures of European origin look down on redheads. In Spain or Italy, the birth of a “rubio” (also: blond) would be greeted with delight.
IIRC,the show was : Life Goes On.