What would your explanation to children and teens about Bush's language be? Has society changed?

Question

Considering the current President's profanity caught on tape, and his previous action of making a rude gesture to the camera while a state governor:

How would you explain to your children, (or teenagers), why using such language and gestures makes one look dross, when the Commander in Chief feels that they are appropriate? Does his free use of them mean that American society no longer looks to their leaders to be role models, or does it mean that we no longer consider swearing as crass?

Answer 1

Instead of using popular figures as role models, we, as parents, need to be those role models. While it's true that our leaders need to be on their best behavior on and off screen, they aren't perfect, as well as the rest of us. Every popular figure throughout all of history has done something stupid, said the wrong thing, or put him/herself in a compromising position (like a certain ex-president we all know!). We need to be the best role models that our kids can have, so that we can tell them to watch us, not others. We can stand with them and tell them that all other behavior isn't up to our standards and should not be looked upon as something to be emulated (copied). Yes, it's sad that our leaders can't seem to keep to more moral standards. We'll just have to fill in the gap and make a difference in our own circle of friends & family. Who knows...it just might catch on. <*)))><

Answer 2

Sunny, my explanation is this. The country has continued to see a decline in morality and civility. This is direct result of the breakdown of the nuclear family. This President is no different. My belief is that NO ONE should expect other people, to be role models for their children except YOU because anyone else is likely to disappoint you.

Bush is ignorant for certain, but he's certainly not the first President to be caught with an open mic, Reagan made these error as well. Clinton was no saint, to be sure. But having said this, understand that Presidents throughout history have spoken harshly a times, Nixon, LBJ, Kennedy, etc. About the only one who may not have used profanity was Carter.

Answer 3

I can guaruntee that all the beloved presidents cursed. Every single one back to Washington. Absolutely nothing has changed.
I think you should tell your children that cursing is something that adults do when it is warranted, and it's not to be done lightly. When you're really upset about something, and need to convey that to another person, you might decide to use a curse word if necessary.
The president was explaining to the leader of another country just how strong his distaste was for something that another leader was doing. That still doesn't tell your 4-year-old that he should say the same word for fun.

Oh, and don't be such a prude.

Answer 4

I'm not a Bush supporter, but even I will admitt, people tumble sometimes. It's human to make mistakes. What we should ask, is why was a private coversation taped? Isn't that infinging on his right to privacy, so long as that private action does not affect how he runs the country what he tells someone in private should be respected, not put to public ridicule.

Sorry to rant, but to answer your question, I'd tell a child or a teen, "The President made a mistake. He's a person, and people sometimes make mistakes. It doesn't make what he did right and I hope he's sorry for it."

Answer 5

I am not sure if you know this, but our commander and chief, is not the brightest person of all. You need to explain that you your kids before moving on to why he uses such language. But than why even need to explain such thing to a child who know nothing about politics and society. I say just tell then that the type of language he used is not appropriate for a child to use and end of discussion.

Answer 6

Lyndon B. Johnson makes Bush look like a saint. Johnson has to have been the rudest person ever to be Commander in Chief of the United States. I recommend that you explain to children and teens that adults often say things they later regret, or in a way that they would normally not use, when they are under great stress.

Answer 7

If as much attention to every word or gesture were given to the previous white house occupant there would be no comparison, that being said I think there are likely explanations like he wasn't told the cameras or recorders where on etc.
Before you judge a man for these types of indiscretions, try walking his shoes a while. Then would your view change regarding these things?

Answer 8

How do you know that other presidents didn't use such language, before the age of mass media? For all we know now George Washington could have said all sorts of things about King George and there were obviously no tape recorders present.

Answer 9

I would advise them that nothing has changed and that now cameras are more likely to catch you. Heck, what does Bush have on the Roman emperors, British monarch, or Chinese kings?

Of course, we have the dubious distinction of the only nation to have purportedly voted the ignoramus to power.... Which is reassuring in some sense, I suppose, in that it shows that in America, anyone can be anything (with the right connections, of course). Even a semi literate sadist can become president and his ignorant supporters will continue to march in lock step, looking up only long enough to cry out against his predescessor!

Answer 10

I would ask them if he were to jump off a bridge, would they do it? Just because a political leader used it, doesn't mean they have to follow suit. It's not that since everyone is doing it they can too, it's that since everyone is doing it, why follow the herd? Why be one of the crowd? Rather, be a leader yourself, and choose NOT to be rude. Just because you can use them doesn't mean you should.

I think we've decided that it's not as rude to curse and give rude gestures. We see it every day in our society, in our media, our entertainment. I'm not saying that we should boycott it, or censor, because that just makes us look stupid. After all, they're just words and gestures given meaning by US. We're the ones who let them offend. So why let them? They're part of our language and are used to express emotion. Why hold back our emotions? It just makes one unhealthy.

But still, just because we can use them, doesn't mean we should in all circumstances. We are each our OWN role models.