wow…..the woman in the park took things way too far and was extreemly rude. There is no need for that and its hardly going to get your point across.

I had a similar online experience when Adam Goodes was in the news for someone calling him an ape. I commented that I often call my son Magilla Gorilla because he’s huge. This didn’t sit well with one other mum and oh boy did I cop it! Everything nowadays is blown so out of proportion, it’s ridiculous

Parents have called children cheeky monkeys for many many years. Its been used as an endearing and lovable nickname with no relation to race whatsoever but I do understand how it may hit a nerve for people of other cultures where ‘monkey’ has been used at times to denigrate and dehumanise them. While I think she should have handled it a lot differently (without yelling etc) its worth the message that some people are affected by those words.
I don’t think parents should have to stop using the term ‘cheeky monkey’ but it’s worth remembering that it’s not a friendly term for some.

Seriously? How rude. I call my friend’s daughter a cheeky monkey all the time and have done it with my son. They’re both white which I’m embarrased to even say because I think that is irrelevant but it goes to the race issue. I even bought my friend’s daughter a straw bowler hat with a monkey face on it out of love due to my reference to her as being a cheeky monkey. It’s all about her behaviour and cheekiness, and has nothing to do with how she looks or her skin colour.

Lol, really ? I often call my kids cheeky monkey or cheeky cookie ! It’s just an affectionate saying for when they’re a bit cheeky but oh so cute !

So that means I can’t call my son a “flamin’ ratbag”. I think that woman has a giant chip on her shoulder. It’s not like you were talking about her child. And no you’re not racist for calling your son a “cheeky monkey”.

Sounds like this other woman has a chip on her shoulder. I have often called my children and grandchildren a ‘cheeky monkey’. It is not a racist remark in my mind nor is it reducing a human being to the state of an animal.

Blimey, I use this comment myself and I’ve never ever considered it as a racist comment.

I call my son a cheeky monkey and he’s as white as they come.
I know white women with brown babies who don’t believe white privilege exisits even though they see it every single day. But calling a cheeky child a monkey isn’t inferring they are sub human because of their skin colour. Its inferring they are cheeky and cute like a cheeky monkey.
If she’d said it to the other woman’s children there might be a case to calmly explain to her why she shouldn’t say it, but I don’t think shouting aggressively at someone ever achieves much at all.

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  • • mom93821 replied
    • 04 May 2018 , 6:50 am

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  Also; what disturbs me is the woman being aggressive and shouting in front of children – surely that is damaging and bullying?

Sounds like an aggressive encounter which could have been handled quite differently. Unfortunate for this to occur in front of the children too.