Some people object to the use of caring as an adjective, and the acceptability of the usage seems to vary according to the relation between the source and object of the caring. Seventy-four percent of the Usage Panel accepts the sentence A child has a right to certain things: a secure home, a healthful environment, and caring parents. A smaller majority, 58 percent, accepts We are looking for a few caring people to help with this program, where the nature of caring appears vague and the object is any of a number of concerns that might arise. When caring is applied to circumstances instead of people, acceptability falls even further. Only 29 percent of the panel accepts A child has the right to grow up in a healthful, caring environment.
