kids using "bad words"

[Flint]

@glatt: I didn't say I plan to teach them to swear as much as possible!

This is an issue where I am dwelling more in the region of understanding the underpinnings, at this point, and not so much in the strike out and take action phase. I spend alot of time in the thinking phase of things.

I do think, though, that the possibility exists that simply removing the power from "bad words" might in fact cause my children to swear even less than a child who is rebelling against authority by doing the opposite of what they are told. Or, at worse, they might curse about the same amount. Maybe a little more, who knows?

The thing is, kids are gonna do it anyway, aren't they? I mean, I was smart enough not to get in trouble for using bad words, because I wasn't stupid about doing it in front of the wrong people. As long as my kids understand that, you (as another parent) will never know the difference. And when our children are alone together, they will act just like we acted.

[Munchkin]

Originally Posted by Flint

The thing is, kids are gonna do it anyway, aren't they?

oooh yes. I remember being in kindergarten, on the swings at recess... and just saying over and over again "fuck, fuck, fuck"

Kids do it BECAUSE they're told its "bad"...and often theyll just go crazy with it as soon as they get a chance.

[glatt]

Originally Posted by Flint

I do think, though, that the possibility exists that simply removing the power from "bad words" might in fact cause my children to swear even less than a child who is rebelling against authority by doing the opposite of what they are told. Or, at worse, they might curse about the same amount. Maybe a little more, who knows?

It is a balancing act, yes. You don't want to make these words forbidden fruit with the power that goes along with that. I also think you shouldn't give your kids the idea that swearing is just fine. Society frowns on swearing. You don't see the worst words on broadcast TV, although you do see swearing more than when I was a kid. I don't want my kids swearing, so I don't want them hanging around other kids who I can be sure are swearing when my kids are with them.

If my kids start talking about poopheads and stuff like that, I tell them that if they are going to talk that way, they have to go in the bathroom. That's where poop goes, so that's where that language goes too. I make it clear that it's not acceptable, but hopefully it doesn't give those words power.