Many call siblings who share one parent “half-brothers” or “half-sisters.” One woman, whose brother has a different father to her, explains why this is offensive.

Some may think that people who dislike being called a “half-brother” or “half-sister” are too easily offended.

Yes, historically those have been the terms for siblings who share one parent. But that does not make it right. Just think of all the words that were ok, historically, that today all except the most extreme people think are wrong. “Half-brother” and “half-sister” are similarly wrong. Here’s why:

Place yourself in the shoes of a person with a sibling who shares one parent. You live with them. You play with them. And you grow up with them. The offense of someone calling you a “half-sibling” becomes obvious. One person has highlighted this issue perfectly.

Rochaun grew up in a home with a brother who was just like any other. They played together, got on each other’s nerves, but above all loved one another. Rochaun and her brother had the same mother but different fathers.

Growing up, Rochaun and her brother only saw themselves as brother and sister. Later, when they met other kids and their parents, people started to label them. Suddenly, they were “half-brother” and “half-sister.”

They realized that society considers their relationship as worth less than other siblings.

Over the years, this term frustrated Rochaun no end. Eventually, she would tell anyone who called her and her brother “half-siblings” to never say that. She was making a simple request. But others disagreed.

“I’m not putting up with anyone who tries to downplay the bond I have with my brother just because we only share one parent.” – A. Rochaun Meadows Fernandez.

Can anyone really argue with someone like Rochaun? Really, the only argument that anyone can make is that “half-sibling” sounds normal to them. But that argument does not justify someone disrespecting another to their face.

After all, people deserve for others to treat them with dignity. That means being respectful. And Rochaun, and so many others, feel disrespected when people refer to her and her brother as “half-siblings.”

Just think, if parents adopt two children who come from different families, then they are always referred to as siblings. They’re not “unrelated siblings,” or “adopted brother and sister.” They’re just part of a family.

Many people consider family as one of the most important parts of life. So why do some of these people insist on labeling other families as being half-related?”

The good news is that it’s incredibly easy to change this problem. Instead of calling people “half-brothers” or “half-sisters” just call them “brothers” or “sisters.” That’s all there is to it.

When you think about it, is it political correctness gone mad or just showing respect for others? Hopefully, most people in 2020 will know the answer.

Of course, the terms will linger on for a while. But it’s up to everyone to do their best to treat others as they would like to be treated.

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Source: Scary Mommy