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Bad Word, Bad Example

I was dismayed to see the phrase "selfish bitch" appear twice in the "Tell Me About It" column by Carolyn Hax {Style Plus, Jan. 23}. As a guidance counselor, I make a concerted effort to encourage girls not to use the "B" word when they try to insult each other or gossip. When the word "bitch" is used freely by girls, boys who overhear this talk are then given license to use the word freely to insult and tease girls.

It's disturbing that the word is used in some popular music lyrics that young people listen to. For a newspaper with the stature of yours to use this word is to legitimize a term that is very debasing to women. The use of this word does not ...

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