March 21, 2004
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Doctors, Scientists Urge Media to End "Crack Baby" Myth 3/5/04
Thirty prominent doctors, scientists, and psychological researchers have signed an open letter urging the mass media to stop using terms such as "crack baby" and "crack addicted baby," as well as similar terms, such as "ice baby" and "meth baby." The terms have no scientific validity and unfairly stigmatize the children to whom they are applied, the researchers said.
"Throughout almost 20 years of research, none of us has identified a recognizable condition, syndrome or disorder that should be termed 'crack baby."
"The term 'crack addicted baby' is no less defensible. Addiction is a technical term that refers to compulsive behavior that continues in spite of adverse consequences. By definition, babies cannot be 'addicted' to crack or anything else."
Comments (2)
hmmmm.
isnt it supposed to refer to babies born with an addiction.. given to them in the womb.. by their mothers? its a term which i agree is unfair.. but i would think its also very hard to remove.... from the public...
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