Swearing is now okay in school

[ICarlson99]

I wish I could say this was a joke, but it appears to be true. It's so ridiculous, I don't know where to start - but as Dennis Prager said (where I first heard of this), it's an idea that's so stupid, only someone with a PhD could have come up with it. Enjoy.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=3 60685&in_page_id=1770&in_a_source=

You can use the f-word in class (but only five times)
09:58am 29th August 2005

A secondary school is to allow pupils to swear at teachers - as long as they don't do so more than five times in a lesson. A running tally of how many times the f-word has been used will be kept on the board. If a class goes over the limit, they will be 'spoken' to at the end of the lesson.
The astonishing policy, which the school says will improve the behaviour of pupils, was condemned by parents' groups and MPs yesterday. They warned it would backfire.

Parents were advised of the plan, which comes into effect when term starts next week, in a letter from the Weavers School in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire.

Assistant headmaster Richard White said the policy was aimed at 15 and 16-year-olds in two classes which are considered troublesome.

'Tolerate but not condone'

"Within each lesson the teacher will initially tolerate (although not condone) the use of the f-word (or derivatives) five times and these will be tallied on the board so all students can see the running score," he wrote in the letter

"Over this number the class will be spoken to by the teacher at the end of the lesson."

Parents called the rule 'wholly irresponsible and ludicrous'.

"This appears to be a misguided attempt to speak to kids on their own level," said the father of one pupil.

Should have do's and don'ts

Nick Seaton, chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, said: "In these sort of situations teachers should be setting clear principles of 'do and don't'.

"They should not be compromising in an apparent attempt to please the pupils. This will send out completely the wrong message.

"Youngsters will play up to this and ensure they use their five goes, demeaning the authority of the teacher."

Tory MP Ann Widdecombe said the policy was based on 'Alice in Wonderland reasoning'.

"What next?" she asked. "Do we allow people to speed five times or burgle five times? You don't improve something by allowing it, you improve something by discouraging it."

'Praise postcards'

The 1,130-pupil school, which was criticised as 'not effective' by Ofsted inspectors last November, also plans to send 'praise postcards' to the parents of children who do not swear and who turn up on time for lessons.

Headmaster Alan Large said he had received no complaints about the policy. "The reality is that the fword is part of these young adults' everyday language," he said.

"As a temporary policy we are giving them a bit of leeway, but want them to think about the way they talk and how they might do better."

[Psalm25Gomer]

Just so I'm clear....and judging from the link you posted..which appears to be a british link.....


This story is concerning schools in England, correct?



To my knowledge...profanity isn't allowed in schools here in America...although many kids do it anyway. :rolleyes:

My daughter's school has a "No profanity rule"......any child caught using profanity gets immediate suspension.

[middletree]

Yes, it's British. I am on record as saying that profanity isn't necessarily anti-biblical. But I am dismayed by this, only because you are allowed 5 mentions of the F-word and zero mentions of the name "Jesus" (unless it's used in vain)

[ICarlson99]

Which is the most ridiculous statement?

A) "Tolerate, but not condone"
B) "Over this number the class will be spoken to by the teacher at the end of the lesson"
C) "The reality is that the fword is part of these young adults' everyday language" [therefore we'll conform to them]

I wonder how many kids are in each class? With 20 kids, that's 100 f-words per hour. I bet not even Chris Rock could keep up that pace! :p

[ICarlson99]

Yes, it's British. I am on record as saying that profanity isn't necessarily anti-biblical. But I am dismayed by this, only because you are allowed 5 mentions of the F-word and zero mentions of the name "Jesus" (unless it's used in vain)

Colossians 3:8
But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips

When would you say profanity is acceptable? What profanity wouldn't be considered "filthy language"?

[middletree]

Colossians 3:8
But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips

When would you say profanity is acceptable? What profanity wouldn't be considered "filthy language"?
There have been several threads about this. I don't want to hijack this thread. My answer is that F- and S-words have been decided on by society as "bad" words. The bible didn't say that. The bible only says to not use God's name in vain, and don't talk mean to people.

Any further discussion on this should be a different thread, because I agree with most here that this British school rule is bad, especially because you can get in more trouble for singing a Christmas carol than saying the F-word.

[firedupnat]

i'm from england and i just want to clear this up it was one headmaster in one britsh school who made this rule and well he has been asked for his restenation (sp?) because of it this redicules rule and so it should not be happening know

but i agree with all u people f word shouldn't be used

[AshleeDru]

Colossians 3:8
But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips

When would you say profanity is acceptable? What profanity wouldn't be considered "filthy language"?
I agree with you. But, anyways, I can't believe this. Actually, I can. That is what our sinful world is coming to.

[Corrine]

There have been several threads about this. I don't want to hijack this thread. My answer is that F- and S-words have been decided on by osciety as "bad" words. The bible didn't say that. The bible only says to not use God's name in vain, and don't talk mean to people.

Any further discussion on this should be a different thread, because I agree with most here that this British school rule is bad, especially because you can get in more trouble for singing a Christmas carol than saying the F-word.
Yes, let's keep this thread to only discussion about the subject at hand, not whether or not swearing is good or bad.

So in addition to teaching, the teachers have to endure being cussed at by children, and keep track of who said what and how many times? This is insane!

Whatever happened to respecting your teachers? You don't respect someone by swearing at them.

And this is a temporary measure? You can't give someone something, get them used to having it, and then take it away again. Can you imagine how many kids will be getting into trouble for saying it after they take it away again? They will forget that they can't say it anymore. :rolleyes: These people are idiots!

[ICarlson99]

So in addition to teaching, the teachers have to endure being cussed at by children, and keep track of who said what and how many times? This is insane!

I just had a vision of some poor teacher stopping the lesson every 5 seconds to put a tally on the board - or, even worse, having to stop the class and demand (oh, wait, can't demand - politely request) to be told who it was that swore so they could be properly tallied. If it wasn't so sad, it'd be hilarious.

I wonder what political persuasion this headmaster is :D

[rossid]

Isn't England supposed to be "more proper and dignified" than the U.S.?

[Consuming Fire]

Ready one word.... drum roll please!!!!!

Now when the US lets student cuss in school. thats when i quit goin!!!wow thats really dumb. im mean i have no other word to discribe it that i know how to spell. i mean thats really stupid on there behalf.

[Trillamum]

Well, for starters, if you read the article carefully, I think that the class as a whole gets up to five times to say the f-word....not each kid in the class. Now as far as the wisdom of this plan goes, ummmm, what drunken mud brain came up with this plan? Seriously.

I think that the best anti-cussing thing I've ever seen was on this show called Brat Camp. Now, as a whole, I don't agree with alot of thier theories, but, what they did with the language was cool. Every time one of the kids said a bad word, they made them pick up a rock, and they made them get the size of the rock approved, if it was a not so bad word, or it was the first time they'd done it, the rock wouldn't be very big, but, for something like the f word, or repeated cussing, some of the rocks got pretty large. The kid had to carry the rock around for the rest of the day to remind him that his words carried weight with them and he needed to be careful how he used them. If I ever had a kid who had a mouth problem, I'd use that with them.

[prayercloth sis]

I hadn't heard of this until today. Thank God I live in America and regardless of what a school may vote...my child will be reprimanded for speaking such filth. I guess I'm from the old school but I would have got my mouth popped for way less than that. Young people today have too much intelligence and such a large vocabulary that I can't see where any use of those words would be appropriate. I am really disappointed that anyone could ever come up with such a rule. Thanks for sharing.

Rhonie

[WeaselInYerFoot]

I'd preffer a teacher who allows a five-time use of the f-word than a teacher who makes writing a letter to Bush (in protest against the war) a homework assignment.

By the way, this was only one achool, Weavers School that compromised with the students. Not the entire nation.

[mat1583]

I'd preffer a teacher who allows a five-time use of the f-word than a teacher who makes writing a letter to Bush (in protest against the war) a homework assignment.

By the way, this was only one achool, Weavers School that compromised with the students. Not the entire nation.

I would agree with you. Appropriate use of free speech is a freedom we should cling to, not freely give up. Now the problem lies in what we define as "appropriate" free speech.

-washboard

[ICarlson99]

I would agree with you. Appropriate use of free speech is a freedom we should cling to, not freely give up. Now the problem lies in what we define as "appropriate" free speech.

-washboard

Do you think freedom of speech applies the same in a high school as in the public square?

[mat1583]

Do you think freedom of speech applies the same in a high school as in the public square?

In a public high school system, I believe it should apply. It doesn't in most schools, however. Don't even get me started on the whole freedom of religion in the public sector. I wouldn't be surprised if in some schools you could get in detention or some form of punishment if you were wearing a "religious" t-shirt or reading the Bible somewhere at school. It's rediculous.

-washboard

[ICarlson99]

In a public high school system, I believe it should apply. It doesn't in most schools, however. Don't even get me started on the whole freedom of religion in the public sector. I wouldn't be surprised if in some schools you could get in detention or some form of punishment if you were wearing a "religious" t-shirt or reading the Bible somewhere at school. It's rediculous.

-washboard

Sorry, I confused my own question - I was more referring to whether or not students should be allowed to speak whenever they want - as opposed to the content being "protected". What I mean is, there are times when the teacher has the "right", indeed the requirement, to impose silence in the classroom for order's sake, as opposed to a student not being arrested for anti-government speech.

I assume you don't mean that forcing the class to be quiet for the sake of order and teaching would be a violation of "free speech". Sorry.

[Glennjamin]

In my high school in Australia, you could get detentions... not sure about suspensions... for swearing. If it was to a teacher, I'm sure you'd have been suspended.

[Col. Mustard]

In my high school in Australia, you could get detentions... not sure about suspensions... for swearing. If it was to a teacher, I'm sure you'd have been suspended.
harsh....at least compared to here. you swere in front of a teacher at my school, half the time they'd do it right back. and were supposed to respect them? ha! not all teachers will, and those are the one's i'll respect. the school board and teachers and all think that we should be privliged to b at that school cause there one of the top schools in the state or whatever. who cares? :confused: when they treat us like dirt, that is. one of my teachers last year would have her mom call in the middle of class (she lives w/ her parents) and then she'd ask to speak with her dog, and she'd start barking. is that what are tax $'s are going to? and my sissy broke up with some guy and her teacher yelled at her 4 it. why are they prying into our personal lives, and where do they get the time or right to? and mr. butts, sry, "dr." (he'll yell if u say mr. cause he's the dr. of music or something) told my sister, on the 1st day, that he showers with his dog. i could go on and on forever with my school district. some stories are quite funny too. :D

[prayercloth sis]

It is trully end time. No respect for one's self or others. What happened to good old manners and self discipline. There was a time when men spoke ugly words only around other men, if then. Teachers, parents, and elders were respected and given the authority to discipline. I love them good old days and I will conitnue to teach my youth godly living and just plain old good moral values.

As for punishment in the school, I always tell them to give me a call and I will come fire up their backside if needed. Teachers have no authority in the classroom, and our classsrooms here are overcrowded. I say fine the parents if they can't get their children to behave. Hit them in the pocket book, that always hurts. It will definitly get their attention to say the least. It has been my experience as an assitant teacher for 9 years, that children learn up to 90% of their behavior at home. They are either taught to respect and have clean words to use or not. You would be surprised at some of the stories I have heard out of the mouths of 3. 4. and 5 year olds. It is defintely praying time.

[ICarlson99]

Values. Values. Values.

Schools should be teaching good values, not catering to bad ones.

[DareDevil]

It's all a matter of content and intention imho and I do think that teachers should have a certain freedom when it comes to pupils using swearwords but one should never forget that teachers are supposed to be respected. Besides, children/teenagers tend to see adults who use their register of speech as arrogant or at least clueless while they tend to react very positively if an adult talks to them like to another adult.

[jenna85]

in high school our teachers used more curse words than the students.... i thought all schools were like that?....

[Little Diva]

I wonder how many kids are in each class? With 20 kids, that's 100 f-words per hour.

When i was at school we had a minimum of 30 to 35 pupils max in our classes. As far as i can tell those numbers have not reduced. I don't condone what the school in England had thought of doing because we should really be respecting those in charge. I know that when i attended school swearing was not acceptable it was punishable albeit a standard punishment (basically an essay on why you shouldn't swear or whatever offence you have committed) then detention after three standard punishments then the trip to the principles office for suspension. British schools are generally tough on what you can and can't do but you do get the odd exception which is run by a lunatic.

[ICarlson99]

British schools are generally tough on what you can and can't do but you do get the odd exception which is run by a lunatic.

:)

[Thomas508]

When I was in High School here in the good old USA back in the early eightys we had a few school books that included the Fword, the Sword and of course the ever popular Dword, now they were covered with a black marker because our school didn't approve of these words but said these books were the best ones avalible! We could still see what they said though. Now 20 years later you might want to double check whats in your kids school books cause I think our schools are worse now than then!

Home Schooling Parent
Billy T

[princess1087]

Wow. well all i can say is, it's not surprising. Here, i know a lot of the schools have a high tollerance as far as profanity goes. The teachers don't care because they do it too so it doesn't matter. Though disturbing, as I said it's not surprising. There are a great deal of things in these schools that make things like this expected.

[kiwisongbird]

I'd preffer a teacher who allows a five-time use of the f-word than a teacher who makes writing a letter to Bush (in protest against the war) a homework assignment.

By the way, this was only one achool, Weavers School that compromised with the students. Not the entire nation.


My kid had to write a letter to Santa Claus and ask him to send some presents one Christmas, so I understand about kids having to write strange letters... :)

[kiwisongbird]

Values. Values. Values.

Schools should be teaching good values, not catering to bad ones.

Yeah, I agree, but where do they choose the values from? Christian values would be great, but through whose viewpoint? From what denomination? Other people would have many different ideas as well.. It's a tricky one eh??

In New Zealand many many health (ie sex education) issues are taught, many peace (Buddhist/eastern stuff) is taught all in the name of Values Education...

I teach my kids at home here in Thailand... :)

[Forever4Jesus]

Just the other day my one teacher was swearing at a computer! Some of the teachers at my school swear as you see. Its unbelieveable how much swearing goes on at my school. Every other word out of their (students) mouths are a swear word. I bet it would be EXTREMLY hard for just one person to say a sentence witout swearing. It bugs me SO much! It bugs me even more when they say they are Christians then they go out and swear.

[ICarlson99]

Yeah, I agree, but where do they choose the values from? Christian values would be great, but through whose viewpoint? From what denomination? Other people would have many different ideas as well.. It's a tricky one eh??

In New Zealand many many health (ie sex education) issues are taught, many peace (Buddhist/eastern stuff) is taught all in the name of Values Education...

I teach my kids at home here in Thailand... :)

The values (and knowledge) that will make them successful. History has shown the Judeo-Christian ethic to be the strongest, whether people like it or not.