'Modern Family' Under Fire For "Tot" Swear Word

[annalia]

This is so much ado about nothing. I can't believe someone actually tried to make such a huge issue out of it given what the storyline is. It does happen to many families with young children, parents can relate to the embarrassment. It has nothing to do with encouraging it.

The reason it can be funny is because it's so innocent, children don't realize most of the time what they're even saying, like what's been posted here, sometimes they're trying to pronounce another word and the curse comes out. Sometimes we do need to lighten up and realize not everything is the end of the world.

I'd bet there was even an episode or two on this subject on "Leave it to Beaver".

JMHO

 

[oh_gal]

I think there are two different "issues" running parallel here, discussion-wise.

One is the episode, itself, and how it happens in real life.

The other is different posters' reactions to whether or not small children using swear words accidentially, whether by mis-speaking or just because they picked it up somewhere, is just one of those things that happen in life, or something else.

 

[Donjeta]

JMO, of course it is one of those things that happens in life. Small children have and will always mis-speak when they are just learning to talk, and they have and will always pick up things they heard somewhere. There is nothing we can do to change that. Accidental mis-speaking will pass with no ill effects, no use getting one's blood pressure up about that.

It's the adults and older children's language that we should watch because that's where small children pick their words from.

 

[oh_gal]

JMO, of course it is one of those things that happens in life. Small children have and will always mis-speak when they are just learning to talk, and they have and will always pick up things they heard somewhere. There is nothing we can do to change that. Accidental mis-speaking will pass with no ill effects, no use getting one's blood pressure up about that.

It's the adults and older children's language that we should watch because that's where small children pick their words from.

(above bbm)
That's been my point...that chuckling over your child's "naughy-word" moments (when they're not misspeaking, but repeating words they hear) might encourage them to grow up to be those "older" children with bad language issues. Of course, jmo.

Blood pressure's just fine here, thanks!

 

[Donjeta]

JMO, I wouldn't be afraid of that. The motivation behind older children's bad language is different imo. IMO they do not usually use bad language because their parents laughed when they were caught off guard by the toddler saying something naughty but because it shocks the adults and gets a reaction out of them and it is desirable in some rebellious stage. Once it passes it might just have become the norm in their peer group.

If and when adults chuckle when small children say naughty words it's usually because they get surprised and it sounds somehow incongruent. out of place, coming from a little child that you wouldn't expect to say such things, and they may have misunderstood it in a funny way. It's not fundamentally very different from adults chuckling at other weird things that kids say. Both children and adults grow out of it. When the child gets older it generally becomes an embarrassment and not a rewarding experience if adults laugh at something silly the child says and the funny misspeaks generally stop. Once the child gets older the adults also very soon stop chuckling at the naughty language because no one thinks it's funny any more once the child is old enough to understand and use the language on purpose and the surprise element is long gone too. The chuckling, if any, is usually a stage that passes quickly and I don't believe it has a lasting effect on children's language.

I have laughed at several funny things my children used to say wrong and once they were old enough to learn to pronounce the words correctly, they started doing so and didn't keep on saying the odd words just because I laughed.

 

[Hopeful One]

I watched the episode last night (anyone else?). Looove Modern Family!

I thought it was a great episode and her parents were both mortified by what she said. One of them laughed but still was embarrassed and didn't want her repeating it. I saw nothing wrong with the episode whatsoever.

 

[Kitty Kat]

I don't really see the controversy in this but then again it seems people will stir up controversy over any and every thing. My daughter went through a short phase of saying "oh crap" when she first turned two. Although she would say it as "oh caps." lol.. I did think it was cute. I didn't giggle about it or let her know I thought it was cute and it has since been corrected. Just because I thought it was cute doesn't mean I condoned it or allowed it, I think everything she says is cute. Before I know it my baby girl is going to be all grown up on me and it's a funny little memory I will always have of her baby'ness.

Bottom line is this is a situation many parents deal with, I don't really see the problem.

 

[gitana1]

The issue of a show about a toddler saying a cuss word is hardly a "gateway" issue to the decline of western civilization. I think reality shows like teen mom (although I've never seen it) or Jerry Springer would better fit that category.

IMO, encouraging class, grace and compassion in our children and each other is vitally important. A show about the bumps along the way to doing that is simply humorous.

I'd like to see the young person who spearheaded the campaign against this episode campaigning for the poor, or the abused, or war vets, etc. Seems like misplaced energies to me.

 

[davehead21]

I watched the episode last night (anyone else?). Looove Modern Family!

I thought it was a great episode and her parents were both mortified by what she said. One of them laughed but still was embarrassed and didn't want her repeating it. I saw nothing wrong with the episode whatsoever.

I am ashamed to admit that I forgot to watch the show. All afternoon/evening I kept reminding myself to watch it. Then 8:00 PM rolls around and I completely forget it's on. LOL!! I will have to watch it online later.

 

[Emma Peel]

Caught this particular show just by luck.

Still giggling :giggle: about the pugs-committing-suicide-by-dog-paddle epidemic ... and the Claire-dry-run-with-family debate.

I'm sorry but, IMO, the wedding party's dresses were far more offensive (and in church, yet!) than the little one's effort to make her daddy laugh. :cow:

The writers & this cast cram so much relatable every-day insanity & heart into their 20 minute show ... people who live in fear of laughing at life should avoid it at all costs.

:rolling:

How I wish Gloria, Phil, or Cam lived next door. Instead, I'm stuck with Mrs. Kravitz.