I made this infographic because I wanted to raise awareness about people with infertility and the things we sometimes say that could hurt the feelings of infertile people trying to conceive.
I have a fairly optimistic view of human nature. I believe people usually want to be sensitive to others’ feelings. I know that people who use these sayings don’t mean to intentionally offend; nonetheless, these words can hurt the feelings of people using IVF or other infertility treatments. Infertile people who use costly fertility treatments like IVF are just like anyone else who wants to get pregnant and have a baby.
That’s why I believe the best approach is to raise awareness about the language we use to talk about infertility and having children. Raising awareness is always the first step in social change, and must be present before people’s actions change.
What do you think about these sayings? Do you find them offensive, or would they not bother you?
Infographic via: Words That Hurt Infertile People’s Feelings
First of all, thanks for getting your attention on this topic. I’d even broad your statement and argue that we should in general take more responsibility for what we are actually saying. Making faux pas is something quite common and I don’t really criticize this, but aren’t most people simply not aware of hurting people mentally (I’d love to get a feedback on this question)? I think every single one of this single on would hurt me in this situation, but on the other hand I think it shouldn’t be narrowed down to just infertile people – it applies to many other abilities and disabilities too.
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Twitter: FertilityNation
says:
Silvio, I agree that we need to be take more responsibility for our words. I think the first step is raising awareness, and that’s why I made the infographic.
Re. your question about whether people know they’re hurting other people’s feelings when they make these kinds of statements–I think most people DON’T know. Many people don’t understand what it’s like to have infertility, so they haven’t spent much time thinking about it.
Abbie Waters´s recent blog post ..10 Popular Sayings That Hurt People With Infertility – INFOGRAPHIC
There are two phrases that would hurt me.
some people pass comments that are so insensitive and offensive. as someone who has had first hand contact with an infertile couples ive seen the damage it can cause to beautiful relationships without other people adding on to their already strained relationship. Noone choses to be infertile and for people to pass such comments is down right selfish.
Twitter: FertilityNation
says:
Elaz – Your comment gives me hope that raising awareness about infertility will make people more sensitive to other people’s feelings.
painfull phrases but you can’t ignore these at all. only the person on the receiving end know the difference.
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that’s definitely true to bear with …so instead of dragging them down to despair, why not instead give them words of encouragement, right? saying things like that would only make things worse, and we don’t want it to turn that way
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As a women I must say that those word is really hurting women feeling. However I also can’t blame a man when say those things, So discuss with your partner about the problem and if the problem can’t be solved its better to ask help from doctor
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