Don’t know if this has been discussed and this has purely come from me but keen to hear others thoughts.

The words “sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me” has been around way longer than myself, my mum and her mum. Whilst I like the statement and we are teaching kids that words are just words are we discounting that they can be detrimental to mental health?

Words cannot physically hurt but mentally it can take a massive toll. I just wonder if it is disregarding this and we should be teaching kids (and some adults) that words hurt and we are allowed to feel hurt and express that in an appropriate way.

There is the angle that it is empowering but it takes a lot to not let things bother you.

Do you think we should still be saying the phrase?

Also please note, I am not trying to “reach”, I’m not trying to read too much into it I just thought it would be a good topic to discuss.