Playing With Words

The Unsavory Art of Swearing

By Carma Haley Shoemaker

Many parents don't think much about the language they use until they hear themselves being mimicked by their children. Just as a tape plays back what it records, children often record into their memory their parents' bad words.

Dad banging his hand on a pipe, Mom burning the roast or even both parents arguing can offer a lesson in words that a parent may not have wanted to teach. Once children learn this new word or phrase, they oftentimes may see fit to repeat it at the most inopportune times.

Sue Poremba, a mom from State College, Pa., understands how learned words can be repeated at any given moment.

"We're big college football fans in my house," says Poremba. "Our team was undefeated but ranked number two. It was Thanksgiving and the number one team was playing. The whole family was interested in the game and we weren't cheering for the number one team to win. Near the end of the game, the number one team scored a touchdown, putting them ahead. My son, who was 5, began bumping his head on the couch and muttering, 'Damn it, damn it, damn it.' We looked at him in surprise. We'd never heard him swear before. He looked at us in return and said, 'They scored a touchdown. What else am I supposed to say? Hooray?' I guess that sometimes a cuss word is the only word that works, so we shrugged it off. He hasn't sworn since – that we've heard."

Young children are very impressionable, regardless of whether from words or actions. Although not deliberately, parents may be teaching their children not only the "bad" words, but the attitude and negativity that go along with them.

Want to see more?

• Purchase "Cuss Control"
• Discipline and Guidance for Kids Discussion Board
• Behavioral Issues Discussion Board
• Do You Know Your Parenting Style?