|
May 2009
To download a pdf copy of the magazine click here: DOWNLOAD
Swearing in Schools
by Márianna Csóti
Swearing among children is now so prevalent that schools are looking
at ways of addressing the problem. Bremerton (Washington) High
School, in the USA, had a “Dare Not To Swear!” campaign
whereby more than 1000 pupils and staff signed a pledge to give up using
swear words. Wednesfield High School, near Wolverhampton in the UK,
introduced a “zero tolerance” policy on swearing, and staff
found that both discipline and behaviour improved as a result. Here
are some ideas to help teachers address the issue of swearing in schools.
Discussion
Questions
What is swearing? (Swearing is using language that debases
anything that should be held in reverence or respect—such as someone’s
religion—or is said as an act of aggression. It includes racist
and sexist remarks and words that are derogatory to any group
of people.)
Why do people swear? (To make them feel part
of a group; to make them look tough; because their parents or friends
swear; because they like the sound of the words or they think it’s
funny to swear; to shock other people; to bully other people; because
everyone around them swears; because they don’t know enough adjectives
to use alternative words; because they have vocal tics as part
of Tourette’s
syndrome over which they have little or no control—although they
can deliberately swear using their diagnosis as an excuse.)
What
are unhealthy consequences of swearing? (You might lose
friends and the respect of other people; many people can get hurt by
it; your parents might feel disappointed about the language you use;
you might find it hard to stop swearing when it matters; you don’t
look for alternative ways to settle disputes; you retain a
limited vocabulary, and you might lose your job at some time
in the future for swearing.)
Word Challenge
Invite the children to tell you all the swear words and phrases
they know and to categorise them into: highly offensive, fairly
offensive and mildly offensive. Who has had these words used
on them or has used the words themselves? Is using these words
treating people with respect? How have they felt when swear
words have been used on them? Ask secondary age children
what the swear words mean. Are there some swear words that
the children feel should never be used whatever the circumstances?
Being
Creative
Here are some ideas to help children stop swearing:
- Think of
occasions when you swore and find alternative comments to
make—use
your imagination and a Thesaurus or dictionary to help you.
Describe the situations with their corresponding comments
or perform the situations as role plays.
- Make up a poster illustrating the consequences
of swearing or reasons why it would be good to quit swearing.
- Write
a poem or rap about swearing.
- Produce sponsor forms for
you and your friends to raise money for a charity (or a school
trip) by not swearing for a week and/or by having a swearing
box at home (parents have to pay more than you do!).
Class Debate
Ask for two volunteers to take sides in a debate about whether
swearing should be banned at school. Divide the class into
two groups and ask each group to think of as many reasons as
they can to support their speaker. After the debate, have a
vote as to whether the school should ban swearing. However,
if the children were to vote in favour of having a swearing
ban, you need to consider whether this is a step the school
is prepared to take as, initially, it would involve hard work
and commitment from all staff members. How would it be implemented?
And how could the children win over their peers to accept the
new ruling?
Here are some points the speakers could make:
| Argument For A Ban On Swearing |
Argument For Allowing Swearing |
| Swearing increases the conflict between two
people. |
Swearing helps release anger. |
| Too many people
get hurt by swearing through knee-jerk reactions to an upsetting
event. Swearing encourages violence as it is aggressive. People
will forget how to be nice to one another. |
Swearing can let
someone know in an instant that you are upset about something.
Swearing is acceptable these days and the school should
move with the times. |
| Younger and younger
children are using words that are deeply offensive. They need
better role models. |
The use of language
changes throughout the centuries. This is just another language
shift. |
| If pupils and
staff don’t swear the school will be a more pleasant place
to spend time. |
People should
get tough and not let swearing bother them. |
| Friendships can
break up through hurtful things being said. |
Words can’t
actually hurt – and everyone uses them. |
| The culture of
the school would change and everyone would become more respectful.
Classes would be less disruptive as people would be more likely
to consider the consequences of their actions. |
Through swearing
you gain respect from your peers. |
| Getting used to
not swearing increases your chances of a good reference on leaving
school – and keeping your job when you’ve left school. |
It would be too
hard to change everyone – swearing is here to stay. |
| Not swearing will
help the lives of any children you may have. They won’t
be taught at home to swear. |
My parents don’t
mind me swearing – so why should anyone else? |
| Not swearing would
make people search for more appropriate words and the
standard of written and spoken English would improve for everyone.
They would be much more articulate. |
It is easier to
swear than to try to manage anger. |
In a society that’s experiencing increasing violence among young
people, working towards reducing children’s aggression by making
them think harder about the language they use—and, hopefully,
modifying it where necessary—can only be a good thing.
Márianna Csóti is the author of Developing Children’s
Social, Emotional and Behavioural Skills (Continuum International
Publishing Group, London, March 2009, CDN $44.95) www.mariannacsoti.co.ukwww.mariannacsoti.co.uk
|
