Thoughts on parents who curse around their kids like a drunk sailor? Should the parents censor for company? Can kids be expected to censor too?

Question

Was at friend's yesterday when this 4 year old with an adorable angelic voice was dropping F bombs like her life depended on it.

I curse prolifically and poetically but never around my kids (or students) and absolutely never AT them.

I've seen the results in the classroom when teen kids act like they do at home and I've counseled them that I too use profanity a lot but they need to develop the skills of self-censorship for the right situations. I use the example that I don't want them to walk into a job interview drop their portfolio and exclaim "FUCK!" because they never developed these skills. They ALL respected & understood that POV. Conversely, I firmly believe there is ABSOLUTELY a time & place for profanity and they should take advantage of that. If ADULTS don't like it that's fine and GFY.

Anyway, back to the angel (who had me in stitches when she said "This fuckin guy!" from the back seat of the car at a light when some asshole was on their phone not paying attention and everyone was honking).

Should parents create little profanity clones? Is it selfish? Short-sighted? Does it limit possible friends as some parents don't want kids exposed to that? Should they be judged as parents for encouraging that behavior? Should kids be guided or corrected by people who aren't their parents?

PLEASE Enjoy the video & article before answering!!

https://the-peak.ca/2014/03/why-fuck-is-one-of-the-best-words-in-the-english-language/

https://youtu.be/04_rIuVc_qM?si=PKh72WXf4dxlWo72

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Updates

1 y

Great comments by all. One more Q: Should cursing parents censor themselves around their kids friends?

All basically said try not to but don't be surprised when you reap the whirlwind!

Ez-Bri-Z_v2 · Accepted Answer

My wife swears like a sailor around everyone, not just the kids. I've heard her on work meetings even just swearing up a storm. It's crazy that people just seem to be ok with it during those meetings lol

Anyway, I rarely if ever swear around our kids. Not that I swear much in general unless it's in text and even then it's not that often. I use a lot of replacement words like Mother Father Sister Brother in place of Mother f*king son of a b*tch. (Notice the acronym lol)

I think its ok if a parent does swear they just better get used to the idea that their children are gonna do it too even if not inside the home. It becomes normalized to them when they hear it. I know our son (12) curses already at this point.

Beckybooboo · Accepted Answer

My dad rarely swore in front of us and never at us, like you said and never at my mom. He did swear a lot when he would do projects around our house lol which got my older brother's swearing, because they would be the ones around him the most. I never swear and I think it's gross to hear people that can't complete a sentence without dropping an f bomb, yes, I know people like that! Occasionally swearing is fine and in certain cases can actually be funny. My boyfriend's brother swears occasionally when telling stories or joking around with people and I honestly believe it wouldn't be as funny without the cuss words but I do think you should tone it down around kids and in certain public situations.

NathanDavis · Accepted Answer

I know a whole lot of people who curse but won't let their kids do it...

there's a difference between adults and kids, obviously

there's also a big difference between cursing like a drunk sailor... and being actually and intentionally nasty and disrespectful towards someone

so yes, I understand if someone feels offended and therefore disrespected when they hear others curse like a truck driver with road rage, but... if they're not cursing at you, it's just different

MisterWack · Accepted Answer

Parents shouldn’t be bad influences on their child, they should refrain from profanity.

If you don’t contain your profanity, how can you expect your child to do the same? Exactly, you can’t so you must set a good example.

In the halls of school, students would swear often and a teacher goes “We don’t use that kind of language here” or “I heard that” or “No profanity!”

IslaTheWitch · Answer

my parents didn't swear... and in particular situations, I swear like a drunk sailor, and I mix all 4 languages I use fluently enough to curse :D

in my case, it's more my temper than my childhood experiences :D

petitedollbabee · Answer

My sister swears like a sailor and she has 3 kids. Her rule for them has always been that they’re allowed to swear at home, but never at school or in public, and never AT someone. They’re allowed to swear while describing things like the weather or how they’re feeling, and if they hurt themselves, but they’re not allowed to swear at someone even at home. It’s worked well. Her kids are 8, 6 & 4 and I hear them swear often at home, but never in public and never towards anyone.

Dongie · Answer

I agree it's cute as he'll watching them use the words but I always refrain from that language around kids, strangers and church people. I was with my pastor a month or so ago at Wal-Mart and I don't remember what happened but I said "oh fuck, ooops," he just grinned and said it's alright. 🤷‍♂️

CheeseMonster · Answer

As you said, kids understand how to self-censor. I don't see a problem with cursing around your own children. You should teach them how to self-censor anyways, because different places have different language rules besides just curse words.

Likes2drive · Answer

Parents should really watch what they say around their kids

dustybiker2 · Answer

They don't give a damn about anyone else why should they care about their kids becoming exactly like them at any age. So much rage. So little happiness.

princeofromance · Answer

I think it is the parent's job to enforce the rules for their children. If they want them to pick up on curse words that is completely up to them as a parent.

fish5505_87 · Answer

I would like my kid to grow up with a better vocabulary than to have to curse all the time. I hope he learns from my short comings.

beefcakebradybatson · Answer

Parents should censor themselves around younger children;less as the kids mature.

Thoughts on parents who curse around their kids like a drunk sailor? Should the parents censor for company? Can kids be expected to censor too?

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