Should parents swear in front of their children?
Many parents are conflicted about whether swearing in front of their children is harmful to their development and well-being.
This article is for you if you’re a sweary parent who frequently mutters salty four-letter words. We investigate whether swearing in front of children is as harmful as we’ve been told.
Profanity’s Evolution
It appears that society’s attitudes toward swearing in front of children have evolved over time. Even in the 1980s and 1990s, most people believed that swearing in front of children was unacceptable. Many parenting experts believe that doing so sends the message to children that foul language is both acceptable and a passive encouragement to use it themselves.
Today, however, it is common to hear parents using these colourful expletives regardless of who is present and listening. Parenting experts are beginning to change their minds as well.
In This Day And Age
Even if you are very careful about what you say, your children will be exposed to this type of language regardless of what you do. There are very few children’s television shows, movies, or novels that do not contain some form of profanity. Even some evening news programmes have used the occasional curse word in their reports. In fact, what constitutes a swear word is changing, and in some places, words like “damn” and “hell” are not considered foul language.
What Research Indicates
According to a recent study conducted at Keele University in the United Kingdom, swearing during times of extreme stress or pain may actually allow the person to endure the agony for a little longer.
Dr Richard Stephens had groups immerse their hands in icy water. Those who were allowed to swear during the test were able to endure the pain for up to 40 seconds longer than those who were not permitted to use colourful expletives.
A Change In Language
According to a number of parenting experts, the emphasis should shift from completely avoiding bad language to learning when it is more appropriate.
Most schools, for example, still do not allow swear words, so using this type of language in school would be inappropriate. Even this is changing, as recent studies show that many students use “hell” and “damn” without thinking and are surprised to learn that these are considered swear words.
Change This For That
While teaching children that using foul language is unacceptable, experts recommend providing them with a range of alternatives. Using “holy snot,” for example, can be just as effective as its less socially acceptable relative “holy sh-t.”
Furthermore, by teaching children to think of alternatives, you are helping to expand their vocabulary and creativity. For most people, there are appropriate times and places for foul language (smashing a finger with a hammer rarely results in a “shoot” outburst).
And these words are all around us these days. It is up to you, as parents, to teach your children when and where these words can be used.
