New York City Bans 'Divorce' From Standardized Testing: Twitter Responds

Should the word "divorce" be banned from standardized tests?

The "D" word is part of a recently released list of more than 50 words and references that the New York City Department of Education hopes to strike from city-issued tests. The officials claim the words -- including "dinosaurs," "birthdays," "Halloween," and "pepperoni" -- stir up "unpleasant emotions" and should therefore be eliminated.

CNN reported that the Department of Education wouldn't explain the reasons behind each word on the list.

Why do you think "divorce" was included? And should the word be banned? We looked to the Twitterverse to find out.

Comments

[Mover]

01:19 PM on 04/06/2012

"The officials claim the words -- including "dinosaurs," "birthdays," "Halloween," and "pepperoni" -- stir up "unpleasant emotions" and should therefore be eliminated."

A school's job is to help parents prepare children for life. Besides, there are thousands of different words, images and events that could cause unpleasant emotions. And, wouldn't it be better if those episodes of unpleasant emotions occurred in a setting where there is an adult close by to work it out with them?

Hiding common words from children helps no one. I believe such nonsense would actually make life harder for anyone who has not learned how to handle their emotions.

hmm... Or is this just something else to make the union members job a little easier?

Next thing you know they will be burning books that emotional words in them.

[conversationwithnoam]

03:19 PM on 04/04/2012

It would make more sense to ban standardized tests and teach critical thinking skills.

[knowcomment]

11:58 AM on 04/02/2012

Yes, we should definitely ban all words that make anyone uncomfortable. Or only allow certain people to use those words, while forbidding others from using them. It has solved so many complex social problems thus far.

[Brianna Cole]

12:59 AM on 03/31/2012

I agree with the tweets... Sorry, but banning the word "divorce" is a stupid idea. I was born with Cleft Lip Cleft Palate, I don't get offended when I see the word "lips" on my tests... Having this problem is something that has altered my life forever and I must live with it every day.... Much like divorce for a child.

[CDMelty]

09:48 PM on 03/29/2012

If a kid's parents are divorcing, reading it nonchalantly mentioned on a test could be emotionally difficult. But, is it the school's responsibility to protect every kid from every word that MIGHT be happening in their personal life and give them a sad? No. School is a (mild and controlled) dose of reality, and sometimes reality involves and inspires negative emotions. The same way you can't take all the alcohol out of the world for a recovering alcoholic, you can't take divorce out of the world for a child of divorce. They need to learn coping skills, not avoidance. I understand the urge to remove the word for fear of causing pain, but it's a bad idea to actually do it.

[Marcin A Mazurek]

08:56 PM on 03/29/2012

I won't be the only one to say this, but..."Pepperoni"?

[brijit]

10:36 PM on 03/29/2012

How often are "unpleasant emotions" stirred up by the mere mention of pepperoni? Especially in NYC where they sell pepperoni pizza slices on every corner.

[Sensitive Man]

12:55 PM on 03/30/2012

Sorry you really should warn people with a *TRIGGER ALERT* prior to printing that word, p*pp*oni.

Abusive comment for those of us for whom that word is offensive and ttraumatic.