Unsure about how much you should watch your language in front of your kids? We asked some dads for their opinion on the topic
Everyone swears, we’re not all angels. So sometimes a swear word can slip out in front of your young child now and again. Some parents try and avoid swearing, while others are a bit looser with their language. Either way, it can be a polarising topic, so we’ve asked a few dads for their opinions on swearing while your kids are around.
Francis McCaughan, 29, Civil Servant
“Kids need to be taught how to behave in a polite community, showing respect and learning a sense of their own (and others) dignity. Swearing isn’t a behaviour frequently associated with ideal behaviour or role models and it doesn’t make sense to permit a behaviour in private that they’ll have to train themselves out of in public.”
Tony Pitt, 37, Soldier
“A pet peeve of mine. I hate swearing around children. I genuinely don’t care if other parents want to do it around their own kids, but I’ll ask people to watch their language when swearing near mine.”
Michael Ashford, 33, Director of Marketing
“My wife and I have made it a point to not swear around our kids. We’re also not naive enough to think that we can shield them from such language for forever. If we happen to be watching a show and a swear word comes out, or if they hear a swear word from another child or adult, we don’t freak out, but we also try to remove them from that situation if we can. My wife and I feel that if we model appropriate language as much as possible, that will hold greater influence over how our children will speak.”
Darren Clement, 48, Sound Editor
“I never swore around my children and only now they are late teens will I say a very soft swear word once in a while, normally for humour or dramatic effect in a fun way. I have never dropped f bombs or anything like that to my children and very rarely swear this way myself. Interestingly my girls seem to respect my values in this area and have never sworn in front of me – even when angry. I hope that in my absence they are the same! I also do not swear in my home generally and even try to soften some crass words by making funnier or sillier alternatives.”
