Monday, February 19, 2007

rant

...I have had second thoughts about making some of my comments public and have decided to edit this post...

Don't say I didn't give you a fair warning. The title is such.

In the elementary school where my daughter plays and is 'educated', there seems to be a vulgar theme circulating. Have you ever noticed something about vulgarity? It seems to take on a life of its own and move from person to person until all are made dirty either by repeating it, or having heard it in passing. At first I was listening to my daughter repeat what she hears, then debriefing with proper definitions and reminding her that no one in our current circle of friends talks like that. Over the last 4 months though, the topics are intensifying ...snip...edited by Kim... This apparently goes on during lunch and recess. ...snip...edited by Kim...Remember that whatever they are saying now, will escalate as they get older. In my son's school, for grades 6 to 8, I can wander around the halls with my 7 year old daughter and hear colourful language in a continuous stream with no acknowlegement that an adult or a small child are present. In Wendy's with my daughter for lunch I heard 19 and 20 year olds explictly describing what they would like to do to each other in bed with raised voices.

This is a reflection of the standards, and values that adults are setting in the schools and in public places either by example, or by ignoring such behavior. My feeling is that an adult has a responsibility to hold young people accountable for what they say and how they act in public places. Don't worry if you are greeted with more vulgarity for speaking up, behind that false show of security your message has been heard...AND if more of us spoke up more often, the message would be heard enough times to make a difference. There is a time and a place (and an age, I dare say) for experimenting with language, and adults need to remind those who step outside that line. Take back the public places! There was a time when even the roughest of characters never swore in front of his or her mother! You just never did that, it was considered 'rude'. What is considered rude these days? Is there anything?

Labels: ,

4 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nothing is considered rude these days. I was brought up to respect other people and that meant watching our language. Kids these days!! :-)

I think were showing our age but I do agree with you. It ain't the same anymore. I would imagine our parents said the same thing when we were growing up.

I think you can thank the liberal parents where anything goes. Again, no respect anymore. I am very happy we are home schooling.

9:05 PM  
Blogger Kim said...

I heard an article on CBC radio the other day where several individuals were discussing this very same problem. On one side of the coin was an individual who feels that this 'language' is a natural evolution to the next step for personal expression. On the other side, a school teacher and coach who has a zero tolerance for such words, and is successful in cleaning up the speech of the young people he works with. It is a matter of standards, I think. Sirdar, do you say anything to people you hear using 'gutter-speak'?

12:54 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I usually don't intervene unless it really bothers me.

I have upon occasion used the occasional gutter speak words :-) Yes me!! I know I know...its hard to believe. But I don't do it in public where there are a bunch of people around.

I think if it was just a bunch of kids and Dawn was around I might ask them to please cut down the swearing...I think I have in the past....

6:52 PM  
Blogger Kim said...

Sure, I occasionally use 'language' too, but presumably you're not using it in a daycare or elementary school...a right time and place.

10:44 AM  

Post a Comment

<< Home