Radio Profanity

Foul language, bathroom humor, jokes about sex and drugs. What do kids think about drive-time radio?

“I think that some of the stuff they do talk about is not very appropriate but it’s stuff everyone listens to,” says 17-year old Lindsey.

“When they’re talking about sex or drugs. I know what they’re referring to but not everyone might,” says Maria, 17.”

“They’re saying all this stuff and I’m like, ‘Can they really say that on the radio?” remarks Matt, another 17-year old.

“There are things that are just inappropriate, things that are lewd, things that are offensive,” says Dr. Robert Simmermon, a psychologist.

The language may offend but does it do any real harm?

“I think I’m mature enough to handle these things,” says 18-year old Correy. “I don’t think it’s going to influence me but other kids it might.”

“I’ll listen to it and I’ll laugh. I might not agree with it but it’s still funny,” says Eric, 18.

Experts say when kids are young and vulnerable, crude language and obscene jokes can normalize vulgarity and teach kids that they should talk and act the same way.

Still, experts say, parents are more powerful than shock radio.

“We can talk about our own values but you know what else we can do?” Dr. Simmermon asks. “We can teach them how to think. We can teach them about being good judges of character, we can teach them about what’s appropriate and what’s inappropriate. We can teach our children to be discriminating.”

16-year old Jeff agrees, “You have the choice to turn it off. Your radio has an on and off switch. If you don’t want to listen to it you don’t have to.”

By Larry Eldridge, Jr.
CWK Network, Inc.

A new product may have some parents breathing a sigh of relief from worrying about what their children may hear when they turn on the television. The TVGuardian is a filter that automatically detects and filters profane and offensive phrases and mutes them while you watch. The machine works by “reading” the hidden closed-captioning signal broadcast with all shows and compares the words to its database, compiled of over 100 offensive words. If you are watching a show with the closed-captioning on, it will automatically delete the offensive phrase and replace it with another one. Instead of having to buy a separate box to connect to your television, TVGuardian also makes a VCR and DVD player that have the same technology incorporated into the system.

By Larry Eldridge, Jr.
CWK Network, Inc.

No matter how protective you are of your child, it is very likely they will experience the use of profanity at some point in their lives, whether at school, while playing sports or while being out in public. Experts have developed certain positive actions you can take, however, if you over hear your child make inappropriate, profane or lewd comments.

• Stay calm! Remember, as a parent, you are your child’s role model and it is your responsibility to set the standard.
• Clue them in about the other kids. Explain to your child that other people use profanity, whether you want them to or not. Then stress that your family doesn’t believe in using bad language.
• Remind them that words can hurt, too. Explain that swear words often hurt people’s feelings. Tell him or her that just as hitting or kicking can hurt people, words are equally effective weapons that can leave emotional bruises.
• Image is everything. Talk with your child about how people look at a kid using foul language. Explain that when kids swear, it makes people think badly of them and gives them a poor reputation.
• Most importantly, praise them for doing the right thing. If bad language has become a problem and your child actually catches and corrects him/herself before saying a bad word, be sure to tell him/her how proud you are. Positive reinforcement is the way to get more of the good behavior and less of the negative one.

U.S. Department of Education
National Parent Teacher Association