Speakout Columns
Curses! Kids’ use of profanities a real problem
May 25, 2006 12:56 PM
It went something like this: After using the bathroom, a student burst into his classroom. “Teacher!” he announced, “I was in the bathroom wiping my a-- when someone took the bathroom pass!” To this, another student responded, “You’re kidding! Someone took the pass?”
Last year, a 6th-grader wrote an account of the time he “pissed” on himself because he was so scared. When questioned about his word choice, he asked, “What? What’s wrong with that?”
In dealing with pre-adolescents, a guidance counselor found that several children had absolutely no idea that female and male genitalia have proper names.
At dismissal recently, a 4th-grader, attempting to get another student’s attention, shouted the “N-word” — not only in front of departing teachers and staff, but within earshot of the principal as well.
Even at the elementary school level, incidents such as these have become commonplace. Increasingly, students’ actions suggest the absence of benchmarks against which to measure appropriate behavior. Anything goes at any time. The sentiment and language of compassion and decency are profoundly absent.
Troubling? Yes, but not surprising in our society which parades profanity 24/7 across television, radio, and other media. According to the psvratings.com article, “Children and Media: The Issues” (1998-2005), the benevolent characters in television shows and movies use profanity more often than the malevolent characters do, suggesting that “the media has turned taboo terms into casual chat.” This idea is confirmed when I scan the radio with my teenage daughter. The “s” and “f” of two popular four-letter words already are being pronounced and, given the trend, I fear the remaining letters are not far behind in the verbal vomit procession.
While profanity is nothing new, I remember a time when it was used with an awareness of boundaries — perhaps during highly emotional times or during teen peer conversations. It did not have a prominent place in the company of parents, teachers, or other authority figures. And if we were caught cursing, our consciences (or behinds) usually were rattled, or we at least felt the sting of embarrassment.
Now, though, the profanity communicated by many K-6 children seems to be part of their primary working vocabulary. It is not used by accident, but rather it flows quite naturally from young mouths, often without even a hint of remorse. So what can we do?
Since some of our students spend more hours in school than at home, I still like to believe that their time with us can make a difference. Although we cannot control the circumstances in their homes, we can set behavioral standards in our classroom and school communities. Discuss the concepts of boundaries and appropriateness with students. Also, demand that your students speak respectfully and set meaningful consequences and/or learning opportunities for occasions when they slip.
For example, if a child curses, assign him or her “word study” in which the student develops and uses alternate words and phrases for the uttered profanity. A racial slur or stereotype? Assign research on the group maligned. The goal is to discover the rich histories and value of diverse cultures and to recognize the truly harmful effects of derogatory terms. In all cases, notify parents and have them sign the completed work.
If profanity is the norm at home, remind students that school is a different setting and that they should not duplicate negative behavior. It might even be helpful to explain that offensive language can make beautiful people seem ugly and intelligent people seem foolish. While not every child responds favorably, some do, at least, reconsider their word choice.
Still struggling? Contact the parents and tell them, verbatim, what the child said. Sometimes, hearing it from the teacher is enough to embarrass the parent into action. If there’s little or no parental support, remove school-related privileges from the child until he or she decides to behave respectfully.
Since children spend inordinate amounts of time watching television or using the internet, inform parents that cable and internet service providers often carry language and content filters, and that many televisions have been outfitted with the V-Chip. The Parents’ Television Council’s media fact sheet, “It’s Just Harmless Entertainment: Oh Really?” (2005, www.parentstv.org), suggests that adult television viewers have noticed the issue of profanity, yet many don’t understand the television ratings guidelines or make effective use of the V-Chip. This organization also cited the following finding from “Understanding TV’s Effects on the Developing Brain,” Jane M. Healy, Ph.D. (from May 1998 AAP News):
“Research has shown that ‘mindless’ television or video games may idle and impoverish the development of the pre-frontal cortex, or that portion of the brain that is responsible for planning, organizing, and sequencing behavior for self-control, moral judgment, and attention.”
Idle! Impoverish! Considering the number of children we serve and society’s unchecked casual use of offensive language, this food for thought begs for action. Otherwise, ignored, unrestrained profanity could result in something like this in the years ahead:
“Good morning boys and girls. Please take your @&!$# seats in the meeting area and open your $%&#@! notebooks. Let’s begin.”
Monique Ambrose teaches at PS 22 in Queens.
