Is it harmful to use the word "stupid"?

Question

Does it have negative, long-term consequences to use the word "stupid" of people, particularly younger people? I think it does because it hurts self-esteem, which can stay with us for life.

Answer 1

If someone is adversely affected long term by being called stupid, then they need to get out of that situation.

Answer 2

I have read that to call someone stupid is very detrimental but to say the action they have performed is stupid is not so bad.  For example "you stupid boy" is more harmful than "that was a stupid thing to do".  Self esteem is very affected by others comments as a growing person. So the difference is you can change the things you do but you cant change what you are.

Answer 3

between good friends it's relatively harmless but from parent to child or supervisor to employee it can be a very personal attack

Answer 4

if someone, who isn't a young child, is adversely  affected long term by being called stupid then they need to be heavily medicated.

Answer 5

Yes. But it takes a bigger stupid to call another stupid.

Answer 6

As long as your not speaking to someone who is mentally challenged no

Answer 7

If you call a child "stupid" long enough, they will believe it. Belittling someone, especially a child, is a form of emotional abuse and may be prosecuted in some cases.