“Retard” used to be a largely medical term used to refer to mentally disabled people. It’s common usage in the past 10 years or so has been “bad, stupid, less than, etc”. By using the term that way, you’re passively connecting disabled people to that concept of “bad, stupid, less than, etc”. I think it’s also considered a slur lately
And that is exactly why this term is appropriate in this context: people who categorize other people based solely on their age lack the mental capacity to realize the gross unsuitability of this classification. Also, their approach is usually deliberately hurtful. It is simultaneously stupid and evil. This is why the term „retard“ is appropriate here. It would not be appropriate to address an individual or a group with an actual mental disability.
Elaborate, please
Assuming you’re asking in good faith:
“Retard” used to be a largely medical term used to refer to mentally disabled people. It’s common usage in the past 10 years or so has been “bad, stupid, less than, etc”. By using the term that way, you’re passively connecting disabled people to that concept of “bad, stupid, less than, etc”. I think it’s also considered a slur lately
And that is exactly why this term is appropriate in this context: people who categorize other people based solely on their age lack the mental capacity to realize the gross unsuitability of this classification. Also, their approach is usually deliberately hurtful. It is simultaneously stupid and evil. This is why the term „retard“ is appropriate here. It would not be appropriate to address an individual or a group with an actual mental disability.