Principals have their plate full as it is. It
should not be allowed period. There will have to be consequences for their inappropriate language. Figure out what it should be. If allowed it will persist.

Time for a new poll.

sweet_79 if you read the whole thing it is not just on swearing.... Yes I agree swearing does not cause issues but name calling oh ya and calling someone a B***** can cause a problem too. I have been out of school for a while. Even when I was in school respect was a big thing. I guess it is not anymore. At least from what you say. I would respect an adult whom spoke to me....my my times are changing SAD.

USER...LOL...my childhood soaping was DAWN dish soap. EWWWWW

hanna--back then it was Ivory Soap but maybe today they should use Lava soap because it gets the dirt out.

SWEET...this is a true story....my oldest son ACTUALLY thanked me for being so strict with him a few years ago. True story. And what made him tell me that was the fact that he whitnessed some of his friends being very disrespectful to their moms. And that really made him upset, because the moms just coward to the kids. He himself said that they will probably be mean to women. So, when a child is brought up right, they find their own values. I by no means am saying I haven't made mistakes, oh boy does the guilt reside in my heart over many decisions I have made, but I think every parent who cares about their children have guilt.....at least I am hoping?? :)

See right there I agree with you 100% optimism! Teachers and parents alike should not have such limited restrictions on how they can punish children. My cousin tried to tell on his parents in 4th grade because his mom slapped his mouth when he smarted off to her. They called in social services and they had to come over to my aunt and uncles for dinner to inspect his at "home lifestyle"! Teachers called their house about the situation and tried to tell my aunt there were other ways to discipline. I can tell you right now that if a teacher ever called ME like that I would go off on them! Teachers shouldn't have such limitations either. I dont want my kids teacher hitting them obviously because I do believe its my job to do anything like that and decide what qualifies for that kind of punishment. But I've heard of teachers getting near fired for being rough with a kid he was trying to get OFF of another kid in a fight. I know a teacher when I was in school pinned a kid againest a locker when he seperated him from a fight and the teacher got in very big trouble for it. Thats crazy!

Oops....spanked, SOAPED and grounded....

USARET....guess what?? My five year old just got soap in his mouth last month. I spose I am testing my fate, but I was spanked, souped and grounded, and I continue to have those diciplines in my household. I guess someday the five year old or the baby will find out they can call the cops on me if I spank them, and if that happens, guess what? They can find out what it is like to live somewhere else, because I won't be bullied into doing what THEY want me to do. I am a parent, and it is my job to teach, and if the crime calls for a spanken (i.e. counting to three and MAKING it there...numerous warnings etc)the child gets the spanken. My oldest never needed spankings *I think he had two or three*, but the younger one needs a swat every once in a while, reasoning and time outs don't always work with him, while my oldest would respond to talking things through and being removed from fun situations. I just wish the teachers could still tug on an ear or rap a few knuckles, I bet we would have a lot less thugs!! I remember getting my hair pulled by my kindergarten teacher for trying to crawl on the counter, and I never did it agian....

I dont think thats true in every case though. The whole you cant be a friend and a parent. I know it wont be an easy thing and I dont know if it will be possible with my daughter. I do however know that my mom and I have and always will be the BEST of friends. But I also know that if I were to disobey her rules there would be a serious consequence. Most people want to raise their kids differantly than they were raised but there is not much at all I would change from the way my mother did it. I come from a VERY close family and I hope I can bring my kids into a family just like it. Thats all I can hope, as I said before I'm a new mom still (one 18 month old) so I'm not trying to judge people because I haven't been in this long enough to know. This is just what I HOPE!

hey Sweet_79: it's good to have a goal of an truthful relationship with your kid, most parents have that same idea, BUT a relationship is a 2-way street. For whatever reasons, your kid may decide s/he does not want to have a relationship with you, even if you are by any other measure a great parent. Also, a parent's job is to love through leading and guiding first-not be a pal, and not all kids want that leadership & guidance. The wise parent, because of their love for their kid, puts boundaries around the kid for the kid's protection...and the child in his/her immaturity thinks those rules are only to wreck their fun. It is sometimes the parent's job to say "no", when their 'friend' is saying "yes". Friends are peers, which means you can't really be a friend of your child until s/he is an adult.

And to tie this all back to topic, yes, enforce the language and behavior standards.

All I know is that when I was in second grade, I said a bad word and I soon found out what the taste of soap was. Today that is probably a lawsuit in the making but back then it got my attention, fast. Teachers had authority and respect and students actually learned.

Optimism, I said it sounds like you THINK he is perfect not that you said that. I'm not implying that your doing anything wrong at all. Maybe your kid is that rare kid that follows all the rules all the time but MOST kids do not and MOST kids just learn how to hide it. I know that I will have a truthful relationship with my daughter, thats one thing I will try my hardest to make sure of. I was NOT a very good teenager but my mom knew everything because she was my friend and my parent and thats how I hope to be as well. I'm a VERY truthful person and I hope to teach my kids the same and I wont always assume my child is lying. AGAIN all I am saying is that kids will do what they want to do after a certain age. Once highschool hits wether you think so or not you dont have as much control as you think you do. Their friends and other peers become much more of an influence that you and they begin to shape their personalities. It was never meant to be a hit againest you and as I said I'm not saying what your doing is wrong. I agree with most of what you say.

I agree that it starts with the parents, but those kids are going to do what they can get away with. I can guarentee that my son talks differently at home than he does in school. Yes, they do it to be cool or whatever, and if they can do it and not get in trouble, they do. At home, he would never think of talking that way. So, while the parents are responsible, the follow up has to be there. If a child can get in school suspension for name calling (its harrassment), then you would think they could handle something as simple as swearing. And, the earlier the better!

SWEET_79......Huh? I sound like a mom who thinks her children are perfect? Where did you come up with that conclusion? I in no way believe my children are perfect, they are just well behaved "most of the time". As far as thinking my 16 yr. old is only good because he has learned how to lie and get away with things, TRUST me, he doesn't have too much of an opportunity to get away with MUCH, being I am constantly aware of where he is. I do my job, I follow up with parents he says he is staying at, I make him check in when he is staying somewhere FROM A LAND LINE....and yes, perhaps you are right, he might have lied to us in the past, but he has NEVER been caught LYING, and until he does, I choose to believe that he is an honest boy. But, since he was a toddler, he has always been taught there will be less consequences for bad behavoir if the truth is told. Lies are NOT tolerated in our house. You can believe what you will, but I am not a "ignorant" parent, I know kids swear, cheat and do other things they aren't suppose to do in the absence of an adult, but if those things are done, and they get caught, there will be consequences. And my children UNDERSTAND this. I am still wondering how you came up with the thought that I think my children are perfect?? THat has truly left me confused. And I sure hope that you being a new parent don't always assume your children are going to lie to you. You need to trust them entirely until they give you reason not to.

So what happens if a student forgets their ID tag (which would happen ALL the time). Youre really not going to allow that kid to attend school? And wcm4life, your wrong. When you walk away and those kids are making fun of you, it will NOT make them think twice about swearing. I'm telling you I haven't been out of school that long and high school kids dont care if you dont like their swearing, not at all. I do agree that a teacher should say a quick "watch the language" or something like that but other than that its a lost cause. Oh and what city do we live in where swearing can get you shot? I didnt even know that could happen in Chicago or LA! Like I had said in another post race, sex, and sexual orientation discrimination should be a big issue in schools and I believe it is. But a kid isn't going to hit another kid because he swore at him.

DKS - Simple solution. Students wear their ID tags. Students without ID tags are not allowed in school. Student offends - teacher just checks the tag - problem solved.

I do not think you need to know the child to say anything. Just do not ignore what you hear. If more people did not let kids behave in such a manner. I have kids hang out at my house all the time they are very a wear of what is ok and what is not ok, Some of the kids that come over are allowed to do what they want at home. I have talked to the parents about some of my concerns of what I have found out. Nothing is done. They all do just fine. They also know me and Dad are always watching and listening. I will corrected Children I do not even know. I do not care if they make fun of me behind my back when I turn around it will still make them think twice. They learn as they grow to many people forget we are all teachers in some form. I am not perfect in anyway but I will always care about the kids no matter whos they are. They are all our future and we all have a hand in it. A lot has changed when we grew up. MANNERS HAVE NOT. We just need to remind them.

My friend is a teacher at a local high school, and we were talking about this. She pointed out that in a school with 2000 kids, she often doesn't know the offender by name. She can confront the student, but if the student won't give their correct name, she can do little to follow up (detention,referral, etc). It puts other students in a bind if she asks for the offender's name - no one wants to be the 'narc'. Her only other option is to follow the student to class and ask the teacher, which would then make her late for her own class and would leave her students without supervision. Really, what are they supposed to do to fix it?

Ok yes I agree it is the parents who start. I also think teachers and other adults should keep an ear to the children. People say this is small but one bad word or name calling can get you shot..... Also children will try things when they are out of reach of thier parents. NO MATTER HOW GOOD OF CHILDREN THEY MAY BE!! It is amazing how many people think they are perfect. I know my boys are usually really good. I do as thier Dad check on them from time to time. There is no perfect way to raise children. We all know they are not born with instruction manuels. So yes there is a lot of trial and error.

Some people are getting the question twisted. The question is not wether we think children should use foul language, its wether schools should put forth an extra effort to control it. I dont think teachers should just let whatever go on in their schools but they really dont have the time to focus on little things like this and YES it IS a small issue especially for high schoolers. Teachers are more worried about the fights, drugs, sex, and discrimination than bad language. I haven't been out of school that long and when I was there I saw a fist fight at least once a month and I would have seen more if I had stayed on campus for my lunches. Teachers aren't as blind as some parents are and they know that swearing is not at the top of their list of problems in schools right now.

It amazes me this topic is under discussion.

A debate as to whether anyone should use obscene language is stupid on the face of it.

yes, it is up to parents, but the school needs to reinforce the standard. Inappropriate language or actions are not acceptable-people do get fired for this, or even face lawsuits- and there are still a few words that cannot be mentioned on-air or in print. Even a dumb kid knows when they can get away with unacceptable behavior and knows how to play one authority figure (parent) against another (school)

I think most people on here are in agreement that it comes from the parents. Teachers, coaches, daycare providers they all are important and can make an impact on a child but never like a parent. If you talk to your kids like their dogs they will never have any respect for other people because THEY were never given respect. So many parents now use TV's and computers as babysitters and have less than an hour of actual time with their child if that. When it comes down to it WE are the ones responsible for our childrens behavior and if your child has a problem with language or behavior in school it's the teachers job to notify you, NOT to correct it. Thats all you!

We need more respect. Children at the YMCA, for example, use equipment and do not return it. No one says anything even though on the walls are signs about "Respect" and "Honor." Children jump in front of adults, even, it seems, purposefully, with no apologies. They grab things from you. We need much more respect among kids and later among the adults because we cannot have a collective society without it.

wwr1961: we have also employed the same tactic of showing or promising to show up at our kid's school, as an ambush to the unruly kid. We also promised to get a T-shirt ahead of time & have it lettered in big bold letters, front and back, with: "I AM (KID'S NAME)MOM/DAD" to wear for our visits at school. Worked pretty good...I highly recommend it. This kid is now a responsible adult.

gmretirednow
That's so true. When my son was around 2-3, his dad was doing a little home repair. My son loved to put on his tool belt and "work" with dad. Well, Dad dropped the hammer onto his foot and said, "D*m* it". A couple days later, we went out for ice cream, and I hear my baby saying "D*m* it!". I tried to ignore it at first, shock perhaps, but he kept insisting, "Mommy, you see my d*m* it?" I turned and looked and a little ice cream had fallen onto his shorts. I quietly explained to him that wasn't a nice word and he shouldn't say that word anymore. His dad rarely swore but it reminded us both that the children are watching, listening and learning from you every day.

Just a little word to the wise.I know it is not easy for every parent to do but, when my son was showing a lack of respect and interest in one of his classes, I showed up for a couple days of school!! This not only got him thinking but, he picked his grades up to c/b and his regular "A" in phy ed. And it did not take the cane to do it! It also dont hurt that he knows how I feel about showing up when I feel like it. I will do it again when I see his grades slipping, not just when he is disrespectful or disruptive.

I have noticed that especially grade school children repeat every word their parents say so CLEAN UP YOUR MOUTH parents. And if they hang with kids that talk that way, time to end the friendship!

Not that cleaning up language is a bad thing, just that it's not particularly important in the big scheme of things and a bit like trying to empty the ocean with a teaspoon. I'd rather see administrators and teachers concentrating on educational things in the class rooms, not abstract conversations in the hallways.

doglover: "put on the serious face and nip it in the butt."
.
OMG! Since we're talking about the "gassing" episode, the play on words was too darn funny!

If Billie's parents got caned, it might give Billie some validation that his parents are idiots, despite the little voices in their little minds telling them other wise. I hear wooden spoons hurt.
.
And, I'm confused: does g-parent stand for GOOD parent? Things that make you go hmmmmm...

is that what Dr. Phil says?

I know this is going to sound wrong and I really dont mean it to be a hit you, but optimism you sound like one of those mom's that thinks their child is PERFECT. My fiance's mom is the same way and let me tell you he is not the best kid, he just learned how to hide it. Your son knows you and knows how you will react so he learned he has to be less honest with you and hide the bad things that he does more. I'm a new mom so I dont know how I will handle these things in the future so I'm not saying what your doing is wrong. I just think kids are going to do what they want to do.

Thank you DOGLOVER. It is always nice to have people notice the hard working parents. I try VERY hard to be a loving mom, but I tell you what, don't disrespect or mouth off, because I can turn super evil mom instantly. My sons friends all tell him he has such a nice mom, he says, yeah, but don't make her mad. hehe.

in my family, we have found it best to be on the same team as the teachers. If my kid gets in trouble at school, there are also consequences at home. I expect my kids to respect whoever is the authority & whatever is the rule. This does NOT mean my kids are automatically wrong--I will listen to both sides- & have found in the few times when the school was in the wrong, handling the situation with diplomacy always is the better choice. And even if the teacher was wrong, my kid was still in trouble at home for being disrespectful. In real life, insubordination does get you fired.

Way to go "optimism"!!! The so called consequence needs to fit the "crime" so to speak. If only more parents did this their children would learn as your child did. And also, like you said, even if you thought the "gassing" episode was the worst call you might get (and chuckled a bit), a parent must hide that, put on the serious face and nip it in the butt. There are just WAY TOO MANY disrespectful children out there and we need more parents doing EXACTLY what you did!!!

Here is another story, same boy, when he was 10, received his OWN bathroom with our new house. Well, boy was a MAJOR slob at that time, and he lost bathroom privledges because he didn't know how to "aim" or clean up after himself. He had to do it deed and shower outside for 3 days. Granted it was summer time, but it still taught him a lesson.....guess what!!!! His bathroom stays clean now!

Here is a funny story. Funny in theory, but wasn't for my 16 year old at the time. Of course 16 year old (and younger) boys think it is funny to pass gas in the classroom. Well, last year, to my aghast, I received a phone call from a (new) teacher about how my little darling was passing gas ALL THE TIME in her class. Not to mention all the other boys. Well, most of the parents (myself included ((secretly))) thought if this is the worst phone call I receive, we are doing ok. BUT! I tell you what, I didn't let that message get through to little darling. When he got home from school, (granted I had to really ACT MAD) I really let him have it. I sent him to his room. Came in a few minutes later like a tornado and cussed his little rear end out about disrespecting his teacher, not to mention a lady. Granted this was minor, but this is where you need to keep the control, otherwise, you end up with punks. Oh and he did get grounded too!! And he REALLY is a VERY good boy, great athlete and good student. But we made it clear to him that this type of behavoir in a public setting is UNEXCEPTABLE.

I KNOW! Make the lazy little punks run laps everytime they get caught doing something in the halls. I bet they wouldn't do it much longer, kids these days can't even ride their bikes across the street let alone run.

URGH! Seriously, this needs to be up for debate? I hope that it is only up for debate on here and not in the schools. I tell you what, when I hear kids at my children's schools using foul language, I scold them myself. Just this last summer the boys were playing baseball at tournements, and there were kids at the park that were probably only in elementary school and were swearing, picking on other kids and trying to break down newly planted trees....you betcha I was out there telling them what for. There is no excuse for allowing this type of behavoir. OHHHHHH, this makes me mad. It is like adults are afraid of these little punks.

A kick in the pants never hurt anyone. Maybe just their pride. There will never be any disipline anymore in this "sue" happy world. God forbid any person would raise a hand and smack little Johnny on the head for saying the f bomb at school. That is a law suit waiting to happen.

I know this is not a popular theme but, if 10 kids were given a detention , and 8 parents wanted to take their place instead, they should sit it out themselves.Lets say for example- Billy swears,bullies or otherwise is a pistol, and mom or dad got ten wacks with a bamboo cane, things at home might be a little clearer for the young lad. On the other hand, this could be a cause for public displays of corporal punishment. This would drive the point home dramatically.!!!!!!!Singapore is an extremely clean country. Why? If you litter and get caught, you get the cane!!!!! No one wants to do what works. Not anyone of you people on these chat lines either . Now now children, dont be mad at me . Its just the truth.

momof5: I definitely have to agree with one of your statements. In my 12 years of teaching, I can't tell you how many times parents tried to tell me (or other staff members) that we were not "allowed" to discipline their child. Teachers do not have time to call and consult with them whether Johnny should help the custodian with some simple cleaning duties in the lunchroom during his recess time, as a natural consequence, after he was caught throughing food. Teachers need to find out the facts of the incident and create a learning experience, whether it be an office visit with a suspension for a serious offense, or whether it be an in classroom consequence like a missed recess or special activity. THey need to get back to the curriculum so that the other students educational needs are not put on hold. They do not always have time to call a parent and "wait" for a return phone call, hours or days later, to see if Johnny can have a consquence or not. (And before someone jumps all over me, yes I do believe that teachers and parents need to work together. However, a parent would think I was nuts to ask them to call me before they gave a consequence at home.)

Many parents want teachers to do it all and then turn around and tie the teacher's hands behind their backs. It almost as ridiculous as me telling my husband's boss that he's not allowed to dock him pay for missing a day's work unless he consults with me on the reason why.

I believe that some of the teachers do "overlook" the language because there is not the needed administrative support. I don't know what the answer is, but I know that is does need to be dealt with in the home AND at school.

I voted no. Why? It starts and ends at home. Too many parents sit on the couch (or at the desk at work) and think that their parenting ended as soon as Junior walked through the doors of kindergarten. If by the age of 14-15-16-17-18, these young adults don't know it is immature and impolite to call names, swear or smooch in the hallways of a SCHOOL, no amount of intervention from a teacher or principal is going to change their mind. Parents should have taught this well BEFORE their first day of high school.
.
Besides, I can almost guarantee you, if 10 little Bobby's were given a detention for dropping the f bomb, 8 parents would be at the principal's door raising cain.

I always become so frustrated when people lump together all teenagers in this rambunctious, out of control, and awful sterotype. As a young adult, it is important for people to be aware that only a fraction of students are the problem. I haven't been out of high that long to not know what it's like to walk those hallways. Honestly, I believe the teachers have far more power in controlling bullying and profanity because these are the people the students are in contact with everyday, not a principle who wanders the hallways every now and then.

I half way agree with Welch90! In middle school there should be harsher punishments, maybe a detention or a lunch detention. But in high school those kids are almost adults and they all THINK they are adults. Your never going to tell them how they can and cannot talk NEVER. So I think a teacher should maybe say something to a kid "hey watch that language" or something along those lines but to actually enforce some type of punishment would be crazy. Most teachers in the high schools tell you your first day that your not in middle school anymore and that if your offended by the language you should let them know. Very few teachers in my high school said anything about swearing because they swear themselves and know they aren't going to stop a bunch of pre-adults from doing it to!

Of course they should be trying to get the swearing to stop. You can't "police" hundreds of children in a hallway though. I'd imagine in a high school telling a 17 year old to "watch his mouth" would go over real good! I'd bet you'd be told to "f off"! That's not to say a plan should be implemented. An all school assembly telling the students that any foul language will not be tolerated. Maybe fine them? Send a letter home to parents telling them of the plan. With some of the parents I deal with you'd probablly get chewed out saying they didn't learn it at home; that it's the teachers fault or that their little darling didn't do it. It's going to be a big project but something needs to be done. Glad I'm not on the committee to work on it!

Hey welch90 maybe high school kids shouldn`t act like third graders.I`m guessing you talk
just like them.

BF Skinner - Psych: Operant or instrumental conditioning: to earn rewards or avoid punishments. Positive and negative reinforcers present a positive to the environment or removes a negative from the environment; I'm a firm beleiver these reinforcers work better than punishment.

It will be interesting how this is going to be done without adding the language police or removing administrators and teachers from prep or classroom time, especially when the board was looking at ways to cut a million.
I think this is a novel idea, but when are the schools going to stop taking responsibility away from the parent. I don't like it when my children swear and I let them know about it; but when I look at swearing and the numerous other concerns (drugs, alcohol, sex, fights and so on) the swearing is not high on the priority list and I don't see how this is going to be done without increasing costs. Do we really need to spend money on this when there are so many more productive and needed programs to support?

When i walked to halls of Parker with my son last year before he graduated, I couldn't believe the conversations I was over hearing. Truck Stops don't hear the kind of language that goes on in the high schools, & IMO its gotten worst because teachers stopped getting backed by the administrations

I voted NO, are you kidding me? this is like the war on drugs.. sounds good untill you really have to make it happen. Your not going to stop this in a bunch of addolesent teens! It will be a big waste of time for principles to get kids to stop name calling.. that is something you say to a third grader.

Such negativity. What is wrong with commending someone for doing a good job? In the workplace, I have always made a point of telling my employees when they do a good job. As a parent, I tell my children daily how proud I am of them for making good choices.
Why should they only be punished when they do something "wrong"? As far as limited repercussions, I agree. No matter what they do, no matter how small, it is disorderly conduct. Schools are so ready to saddle a kid with a police record. Questioning authority, asking why, disorderly conduct. Get into an all out fist fight, disorderly conduct.
Both the positive and the negative needs to be at the same level of the conduct.
No, don't throw a party because the student shows up for class, turns in an assignment, etc. But, if you see a student working very hard, always on time, always turning in their work, sure, tell them "Great Job!" "I'm proud of you." Why not?

whos voting no?? i cant believe this is a question for debate....

At the high school level choice is fine; however what type of incentive should someone be given because they make the right choice?

Why do I have to feel like I owe someone something because they did the right thing? That is one of the issues; kids expect to be rewarded for doing what is expected of them. There are limited repercussions for doing the wrong thing.

The truth is that if this is their attitude at this age, it certainly isn't going to change when they get into the workplace/real world.

Actually, if this is to have an (er) prayer of working, it should be a joint effort between the school, the parents, and the STUDENTS. Like many other things at this age, maturity is basically a choice. Students should be encouraged and given incentives to make the right choices.

It should be a joint effort between the parents and the schools. If it is tolerated in either area, it certainly will occur.

The problem is that there is such a fear of disciplining children because there might be a lawsuit or the government may step in. When judges don't let parents discipline their children (see http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?f... ) we have much bigger issues.

Yes, children need to be protected; however as a parent you need to be setting the bar for what is right and wrong. If the schools don't back this up with a consistent message, it makes the parenting job more difficult as well as vice versa.

Children need guidance, not the free-will to do whatever they want. It isn't a negative thing; it is intended to ensure they become responsible members of society.

I know there are people that think it is perfectly fine to use curse words as part of their regular vocabulary - I believe they are in the minority.

To start with of course I think that children should have discipline at school. We really have to stop letting our kids do and say whatever they please, it is our job to teach them restraint.

I teach my son to be respectful, and he is with me and his dad as well as 90% of the people I see him around. This does not mean he is always respectful, he has figured out who will allow him to treat them poorly, and is a very different kid at his grandmothers.

This is a lesson many parents have learned, even if we teach them to respect there teachers they will test lines and learn who demands it and who does not. I will, if I ever need to punish my child for misbehaving at school. In the long run if teachers, principals, and other staff wish to be treated with respect then they need to demand it, and let parents know IMMEDIATELY if there is a problem with there child at school.

Yes, Yes and Yes. Without a doubt. I teach my children what is tolerated at home and swearing is not. But, I am pretty sure that they have and will swear with their friends. Kids do it because they think it makes them sound tuff, cool, grown or whatever. But, just like at home, it needs to be controlled at school.
There has not been one of my children, or their friends for that matter, that has not told me stories of their teachers swearing in class. I am sure not all the teachers do, just like I am sure not all the children do. It does need to be corrected and dealt with. Kids(and adults) need to understand that it is not okay to do so and subject those around them to it. Stand on the sidelines during a football game and you can get a real education on all the different ways to let it go. Kids learn more from what we do than what we say. If parents/teachers use swearing as a way to shock or get attention, that is what the children learn to do.
PDA's are out of control at the high school level and teachers have worked hard(from what I have seen)to correct that behavior for years. Some kids just seem to have little or no respect for authority figures. Those select few make it very hard for teachers to do their job effectively.

"Maybe their parents think it's quite alright to swear and use language that expresses their feelings."

What a family does at home is their business. Common sense says it's not polite to curse in public. What planet do you live on?

janesvillemom...are you going by your standard of right and wrong? Maybe their parents think it's quite alright to swear and use language that expresses their feelings.

It takes a village! ;)
I have confronted teens and children at public parks on many occasions for swearing in front of my kids. I don't take my kids to the park so they can learn new and colorful language!

why leave out the elementary schools? It's ridiculous how little respect even the 4th and 5th graders have for teachers, custodians, other parents and other students...basically everyone. Respect is not instilled in children's hearts or minds through daily work anymore. There's no need for a "class", but there is a definite need for stopping disrespect where it exists. I enjoy the "reality show" called "Principal's Office". I think more and more schools need to have policies in place that take away attending prom, make in-school suspension something that is dreaded rather than "cool" and restrict sports and other events when a student can't behave the way society's laws have dictated. We, as a society, MUST stand up to the "free-spirit" and "entitlement" philosophy that kids today are learning. We may not be "teaching" it to the kids, but by not stopping it, we are nodding our heads in approval. I shudder to think what the next generations will look like in terms of employment, financial burden in the form of taxes for the programs for the "needy" who grew up with their hands out, but were not willing to get their hands dirty to give back in return.

Maybe the kids just feel ENITITLED to express themselves as they see fit.

any one heard of Columbine? I think this should not be a new item. I think that it should have been the entire school systems responsibilty to control what the children say and do from day 1. take swearing and untolerable acts out of the school (kids and teachers alike) and the schools will be safer.

And while your at it could you teach them table manners and not to litter. Thanks, Dad.

This parenting thing is hard....can't the teachers do it?

Since parents don't seem to want to be bothered with the job of parenting, other responsible adults need to do it themselves. I am a parent of a middle schooler. No, I can't be with him 24 hours a day, but I never stop teaching him common sense and respect and responsibility. I know kids will be kids, but I hope that some of the things I tell him stick with him.

duh.

Whatever happened to the parents parenting and not the schools?