Isn’t “rearing” the preferred term? We raise hogs and rear children.
What is the etymology of “rearing.” I hate it because it sounds like a lot of spanking, which I think is for stupid, abusive parents who have tried nothing and are out of ideas.
“Rear” and “raise” are synonymous. In the U.S., “rear” has been preferred when speaking of children. I suspect primarily out of a desire to distinguish children from livestock and crops. But “rear” has been used in reference to livestock and crops.
Since the two words do not actually differ in meaning, I will continue to indulge my dislike of “rear.”