Curbing Cursing in Children

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When something inappropriate comes out of a child's mouth, it can make a parent cringe.  Jackie Schmidtman says in her family's home the standard is perhaps higher than other families when it comes to swearing.  She says it boils down to respect.

"When I would go home my family would say oh you're so hard on them, but really it was more of a rule of being respectful to each other and our family and if you let them say it at home, they'll say it somewhere where it is even more inappropriate."

Schmidtman says keeping kids from saying "naughty words" has become more of a challenge.  "On daytime TV, movies, music and I think really the introduction of a lot of bad words in music, it's changed what kids think is appropriate and so as your kids get older you kind of have to gauge that and work with that."

Jackie's son Dan admits that growing up in a world that has become more accepting of what was once considered inappropriate language, makes it more difficult to avoid the "potty mouth."  "I feel like it's around you so much more than it used to be in the music, on TV, in movies all that stuff. I mean it's around you all the time and so whether or not you do it is up to you."

It's a much different world from when this group of women grew up, but as they discuss the past, they agree certain words haven't changed.

"I'm not very well versed in swear words."

While certain "swear words" might be somewhat agreed upon by society as unacceptable, families have to establish what is, and what is not acceptable.

Ester Gruenich who is 95 says, "My children, I think they understood that the way we spoke at home, that's what they should emulate. That's what was permissible, in fact it was good."

Discipline for inappropriate language has also changed, but one signature form of punishment tied to swearing is something many different generations remember.

Gertie Myrmoe of Sioux Falls says, "If they said any bad words, my son would say, don't let my mother hear you! She washes your mouth out with soap and they don't say those words around me when they come over."

Schmidtman adds, "Certainly my parents would say we'll wash your mouth out with soap, they never really did it, but there was always the threat."

After the time-out is over, or the soap has been removed from the mouth, parents can only hope that the message has rubbed off.

Dan Schmidtman says, "It all just boils down to the fact that you need to be respectful to your parents and not only your parents but also your siblings and your friends and the people that surround you in your every day life."