Many words that we now are forced to use are because certain groups demand so, simply because it makes them feel 'included', that is, the same with other people, or normal.
Partner - refers to spouses now as well. This is because marriage is only a legal or commercial matter where people get married for the money or other material benefits, a general term needs to be used for all types of couples who live together whether cohabiting or not
Gay - used instead of 'homosexual' because its does not identify someone in terms of their sexuality or behavior. It is a term demanded by homosexual groups because it makes them feel included by the society rather than known by their sexual orientation
Female - replaces the word woman. This is because it does not contain 'man' in the word. At a particular university I know, the sign which indicates where the 'women's rooms' are is written 'wom*n's rooms' as though 'men' is a dirty word that cannot be used.
Mentally/physically challenged - although this term has not been really heard of in the media , it is reasonable to say that it may become a politically correct term because the term 'disabled' according to prominent disability activist, Stella Young, suggests that disabled people are less capable of achieving the same things as others. However, the term 'challenged' suggests a similar meaning
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