More and More, Kids say the Foulest Things (swearing)

The Washington Post ^ | 04/12/04 | Valerie Strauss

[crv16]

Dan Horwich's English class is a bastion of clean language, where students read the classics and have weighty discussions free of invective and profanity. But when the bell rings and they walk out his door, the hallway vibrates with talk of a different sort.

"The kids swear almost incessantly," said Horwich, who teaches at Guildford High School in Rockford, Ill. "They are so used to swearing and hearing it at home, and in the movies, and on TV, and in the music they listen to that they have become desensitized to it."

[politicket]

And while I applaud all homeschoolers, it is not a lack of parental responsibility on the part of those that don't choose to do so.

I never stated that it was. I merely pointed out that homeschooling is a growing movement that seeks, in part, to remove children from the negative influences of most public schools.

[Gabz]

It bothered me that no one else bothered to say anything.

That drives me insane. Why is it that people seem so afraid of correcting such disrespectful behavior?

It was only a few years ago that I could just look at a fellow swearing in front on my baby (who is now 10) and get a quick apology.

I got one of those apologies within the past couple of weeks!!!

[Darksheare]

Envy.
Theft.
Rape.
Extortion.
Those are not motivated by fear.

[durasell]

Wow! Really impressed!

[Protagoras]

Hint, the poster isn't really talking about language. If people cleaned it up, it might lead to just the thing you're talking about, respect for others and the (gasp) morality that goes with that concept.

[LexBaird]

I'm such a stick-in-the mud that I believe it is proper and respectful to use "thee" and "thine" and "thou" when addressing God in prayer.

Interestingly enough, "thee', "thine", "thou", etc. are the informal of you (present), your, and you (past). Equivalent to "tu" in spanish instead of "usted".

The reasoning is that "thee" is proper for usage with intimates, and the Lord should be your intimate.

[politicket]

From what I can tell on these threads, Homeschooling is a crap shoot. The parents may be morons, in which case the kid doesn't stand a chance. I mentioned Piaget to one homeschool proponent and they had no idea what I was talking about.

The available statistics would show you that homeschooling, as a whole, is a very successful venue.

Here is a link that will point you to quite a number of studies on the success of homeschooling.

[Gabz]

I quoted you exactly stating schools should have a policy or parents should take the responsibility to teach at home.

I agree homeschooling is a growing movement, and I think that is terrific. However it is not a proper choice for some of us, but we are not shirking any responsibility.

My daughter has a dentist appointment, so I must leave now. It has been an enlightening discussion and I will pick up on it when we return.

[freedumb2003]

She was a homeschooled girl and turned out quite well, as a great many homeschoolers do.

Before I came to FR, I used to think homeschooling was wierd and wrong. I have learned here that it is 100% the opposite -- if I had kids they would absolutely be homeschooled.

[Protagoras]

Ooops. Taking the Lord's name in vain...

Oooops, you just acknowledged his existence.

[durasell]

Not exactly an independent website, is it?

From my point of view, homeschooling is only as good as the parents who do it. So, it's a crap shoot. It depends on the dedication and intelligence of the parents. And while public school is also a crap shoot, the kid stands a fighting chance with different teachers every year.

I have to sign off. Need to get to work. It's been fun. Take care.

[beezdotcom]

Yawn. Cussing does not make you immoral. Not cussing does not make you moral. So... did you have a point, or were you just trying to pretend to moral superiority?

Are you just trying to dog her to prove a point? Sure, cussing doesn't make you immoral - but injudicious use of cussing can reflect immorality.

Would you rather JimRob just open the floodgates wide and put no limits on the language used in the forum? If not, why not?

[JenB]

What homeschooling does is give the kid a chance to form his vocabulary and speech patterns in a healthy enviroment. If a kid in high school is pressured to use bad language, because his friends all do it, that becomes a habit. If a kid grows up understanding that such language is unacceptable because no one around him uses it, he is less likely to use it later. At least, I've found this to be true for myself and most of my homeschool graduate cohorts.

[politicket]

Are you just trying to dog her to prove a point?

Hey...I'm a HE!!! That's the second time in two days that I've been referred to as "HER" and I don't live anywhere NEAR San Francisco! ;-)

[duck duck goose]

The theme that keeps cropping up in this discussion of profanity is: Hey, it's somebody else's fault that our kids swear like drunken sailors!

However, the theme should be: It's OUR responsibility that OUR kids don't swear like drunken sailors.


No, No, No...quit giving them boose!!!

[sharktrager]

Without fowl language, can I assume your family never ate fried chicken?

[BureaucratusMaximus]

The liquid soap works best!!!

Heh Heh Heh...

[Choose Ye This Day]

That's true.

The point is, I don't talk to the Lord the same way I talk to my high school buddy.

[Dementon]

I'm only 38, and when I was a kid, saying the B word earned me a whipping. My mother still looks at me hard when I say "Butt."

Now that's funny.

I'm 39 and when I was a kid "butt" was acceptable but "bum" was right out.

[Choose Ye This Day]

Cussing does not make you immoral.

Of course it doesn't make you immoral. It is often a symptom of an already existing lack of or laxness of morals.