The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, March 21, 1996               TAG: 9603210011
SECTION: FRONT                    PAGE: A14  EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   25 lines

FOR ``CHILDREN''

In response to Bette Cassidy Stant (letter, March 2): Yes, others are also irritated by the use of ``kids'' in reference to children.

I grew up thinking that kids were baby goats and, being a former schoolteacher, I never allowed my students to use the word ``kids'' in my presence. ``Guys'' was another word prohibited within my hearing distance. Both words are degrading.

Although I am not an ardent admirer of President Clinton, I found most gratifying his repeated use of the word ``children'' in the State of the Union address. It enhanced my opinion of him!

MARGARET DAVENPORT

Chesapeake, March 8, 1996 by CNB