Language.

[Lizzie71]

On a more serious note, almost all children swear from a fairly early age, often before they even know what the words mean.

Many adults swear.

It is only that the two seldom do so in the company of the other that makes there be this prevention of swearing in front of children (and prevention of kids swearing in front of adults). When with peers the "language" flows.

IIRC kids are often 13 and above when on this site, I bet if you listen to almost all of them in real life you will hear them swear.

Should we stop swearing in front of kids because we don't think they should swear even though they do? I am not so sure, especially with acronyms. Overuse of swearing just makes the word less explicit and less shock creating.

My child is 7 and does not know any swear words. We don't swear at home and he has not heard any bad language at school either.

I don't think that it is appropriate to have swearing on a website about a hobby which attracts quite a number of young people. And I think we've already proved that there are a number of under 10s looking at the site.

I agree with the poster who said that kids copy adults. Of course they do, that's how they learn.

 

[andywg]

My child is 7 and does not know any swear words. We don't swear at home and he has not heard any bad language at school either.

And you know this how?

My parents never swore in the house and still don't except on the rarest of occasions. Regardless of this I had experienced all of the swear words by the age of 7. I would never dream of using them near my 'rents, but they soon became commonplace when conversing with my peers.

Hell, school is where I and most other kids learned the vast majority of swear words, especially the kids without older siblings to teach them.

I don't think that it is appropriate to have swearing on a website about a hobby which attracts quite a number of young people. And I think we've already proved that there are a number of under 10s looking at the site.

I agree with the poster who said that kids copy adults. Of course they do, that's how they learn.

Kids copy kids too, and kids don't let adults know everything they get up to.

I still think it is extremely condescending and naive to think that by adults not swearing near children will somehow stop children swearing.

Can anyone actually tell me what they hope to achieve by not swearing in front of a kid that already knows the swear words?

 

[andywg]

IMHO, considering the benefits members can enjoy on this free forum, I don't consider it unreasonable to expect them to act like ladies and gentlemen while they are here. This is not just to prevent exposing children to inappropriate behavior, but to avoid offending grandmothers and all other genteel people who might happen to read it.

Like Ladies and gentlemen? So we should all include formal greetings and the male members should introduce the female members to other members and never allow a female member to introduce herself? What about some people who do not believe in class divisions and would rather everyone is equal and not attempting to live up to standards set by an upper class elite?

And what exactly constitutes a "swear" word? I understand the word "damn" has completely different severities depending on which side of the Atlantic you are from. "Sod" is a similar situation but reversed. I also understand the more inland areas of the USA do not like "the lord's name" to be taken in vain. Hell, (can I say that?) my neighbours' kids weren't even allowed to use the phrase "shut up".

Also, consider the Australian meaning for "piss" (alcohol) to the British (urine/to urinate).

Finally, who is to say that *** is not what the fudge/flip? With abbreviations it is only if the mind is already aware of the word that it becomes a problem. Remember, one must have a sexually aware mind to realise what a double entendre is hinting at.

I can understand the desire not to have the full swear words out in the forum, but I struggle more with the abbreviations.

Mod's note:

Please watch your language!

 

[Inchworm]

This is not a matter that is open to debate here. The General Rules read:

You agree, through your use of this service, that you will not use this bulletin board to post any material which is knowingly false and/or defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, invasive of a person's privacy, or otherwise violative of any law.

We hope the forum is always a pleasant and comfortable place for all members of the family to enjoy sharing their fishkeeping experiences. Please notify a mod if you see a post that violates our rules.

Thank you for your cooperation.

 

[steelhealr]

Adding....please notify any of us if there are any words that are of concern...I'm with Inchie. SH