Thread: Do you find this appropriate?

My dd is in Middle School -- and to be honest we don't use much foul language at home -- they were always taught that even shut-up was a bad word -- so I may be overly sensitive about the whole thing.

She is into her 4th day of school this year and a couple of her teachers have been using the word "crap"

One teacher was talking about the new promethean board that they have and said he "hopes they get it up and running but he'll never be able to figure out all that crap anyhow"

Another teacher was asking the kids easy questions to review and when a couple kids didn't know the answer said "Holy crap! you guys don't know this!"

I'm not necessarily offended -- believe me I'm sure they've heard much worse on the bus -- or in a movie -- just don't think a teacher should be saying that -- especially when a student doesn't get an answer.

I had one of my son's fifth grade teachers a couple of years ago tell him and her other students that it was ok for them to say "crap" I was livid

Both crap and crud are just substitutes (and nearly as offensive) as sh*t. We in The US have gotten progressively lazy with our language over the last century and slang is used more than an acceptable word. Using words like these is as natural as using the words "A" & "THE." You could speak to the teacher but it may cause hard feelings. You could remind your kids that just because a teacher says something, it doesn't make it right (without putting the teacher down in your kids' eyes. You still want them to respect the teacher.) Or you could ignore it. (I think taking this to the principal is excessive, personally.) And I think you should do what makes your comfortable because the language makes you very uncomfortable.

Habits are very hard to break and often these words are out of our mouths before we've even had time to think about what we're saying. These sentences could have gotten by with no expletive of any kind:

"hopes they get it up and running but he'll never be able to figure out all that anyhow"

Another teacher was asking the kids easy questions to review and when a couple kids didn't know the answer said "You guys don't know this!" Good luck!

I don't think it's appropriate at all. The teachers are there to set an example, this is a guttural example. I'm not sure how to handle this.

To remain anonymous, I might send a note to the principal regarding her language used during class. I don't know how large your school is. The larger it is, the less of a chance they'll figure out who sent it, however, the message that it is not appreciated will be received. I bet she'll watch her language after that.

Originally Posted by Breezin

My dd is in Middle School -- and to be honest we don't use much foul language at home -- they were always taught that even shut-up was a bad word -- so I may be overly sensitive about the whole thing.

She is into her 4th day of school this year and a couple of her teachers have been using the word "crap"

One teacher was talking about the new promethean board that they have and said he "hopes they get it up and running but he'll never be able to figure out all that crap anyhow"

Another teacher was asking the kids easy questions to review and when a couple kids didn't know the answer said "Holy crap! you guys don't know this!"

I'm not necessarily offended -- believe me I'm sure they've heard much worse on the bus -- or in a movie -- just don't think a teacher should be saying that -- especially when a student doesn't get an answer.

In my personal opinion, the teachers should not be using this word in front of students especially if they don't know the answer. I can only imagine how those children felt after that. If the teacher doesn't know how to use the equipment he should address that with the principal and not the students.
We don't use that word in my home and I would expect teachers to respect that and I would talk to them about that.

Originally Posted by Bahet

I think you're overreacting. They're tweens and young teens. They aren't hearing the words for the 1st, 2nd, or 50th time. If they are it's time to pop that bubble they've been living in. School is about teaching kids how to function in the real world. If they can't hear someone say a substitute for sh!t without being offended then they are going to have real problems fitting into society. Then again, the states seems to be trying to make certain no one is ever offended ever anymore. People are so bored with so little to complain about that they practically look for things to be offended over.

Yes, they could say the sentence without saying crap at all. I remember a kid in my high school gym class who twisted his ankle and let a slew of expletives fly. The gym teacher told him that language wasn't appropriate and made him do push ups. The next day he hurt his ankle again and said "Shhhhh...weet golly gee gosh that made an owie." He had to do push ups again for being a smart alec.

I'm a little confused by your post -- you said I was overreacting -- but I didn't react at all.

I also said that I'm sure they've heard much worse on the bus and in the movies and that I wasn't really offended.

I asked if people thought it appropriate or not for a teacher to use it in the classroom -- while I respect anyone's opinion who thinks it is appropriate I am glad to see there are other people who think it is not.

I also taught my children not to say shut up or liar but times are changing. No I don't think it is appropriate but it also depends a lot on the school system and where it is.
When we lived in Ft Lauderdale, my friend taught at a school in Miami. The things she told me that went on in her school shocked me completely. She got her belly button pierced on her honeymoon and wore short tops to show it off. Also she let the kids feel her pregnant belly. Her mom kept begging her to return to her home town, a small town in South Alabama and she wanted to but she said she wouldn't be able to teach because she had gotten too liberal in her ways. She taught 7th graders. So what is appropriate in one place would not be in another.

I just wanted to thank everyone for their opinions

My feeling is that a teacher is there to set an example and polite people do not use these words lightly

-- would you use crap in a job interview
-- at a fancy restaurant
-- on a first date

If you want to leave a good impression, probably not.

I think it just goes to show you what kind of teachers are teaching your kids & the lack of vocabulary they have.