Well, Iive in an apartment, next door there is a kid who is kinda mentel. Well I sweared at my house yesterday and that kid learn that swear (son of a b***h) and he went to his school and sweared it out loud 3time!!!!! Then he said that it's was me who taugh him that and he is telling his teacher that which told my principal which they said I should not be swearing AT MY OWN HOUSE!!! What should I do? They say they will have a meeting friday and I need something to support me! PLEASE HELP!!!
2007-01-30 07:16:44 · 10 answers · asked by JASON 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
First, be calm. Did you actually teach him the swear words? Or did he just hear you swearing?
Was there anyone else around that could tell the principal that you were swearing in your own apartment and the kid wasn't there? If so, have them come or write a letter telling the principal this.
It is very important that you dress up nice for the meeting and speak in a polite way. I think they are way out of line in wanting to talk about how you speak at home, but it never hurts to show them you take this seriously, which you do by the way you dress and the way you talk.
Be sure to listen to what they say. They could be just asking you to help out the "mental" kid a bit. BUT-- If they tell you you cannot swear at home, ask them what statute (law) gives them that right. Courts have ruled that a school may control behavior of students in school, but I don't know of any law that says you can't swear at home.
2007-01-30 07:29:31 · answer #1 · answered by KCBA 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In the United States freedom of expression is protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. However, there is something called "Common Courtesy", "Common Since", and "RESPECT".
You live in an Apartment complex, the walls are thin, and you can hear most people's conversations, and since you live in this type of community setting. Then maybe, just maybe you should not speak of such language if the person next store has a disability and can hear you. Yes you have freedoms, Yes you are protected under the First Amendment, but as a friend, you need to not do things like this.
A child who has a disability, that imitates or copies someone else, or repeats what someone say, they like the person who says it. They want to be like that person, and wants to be your friend. You may not belive me, but it is true, but you most likely do not give him the time of day, because he/she is different from you. But most of the time, you do not know that he wants all of this. You are setting an example for him. If you stop swearing, so will he, he wants to be like you.
Here is what I suggest, go to next door, and speak with your neighbor's parents, try to get a better understanding of what type of disability his/her daughter has. I am pretty sure they are NOT going to tell you that he/she is "Mental". He/She has a disability and it is already difficult for the parents to teach this child the rights and wrongs of the world because of the disabilities they might have. You have a computer, do an internet research about the disability, read it, understand it, then when you do understand it, go back to your neighbor's parents and appologize for being disrespectful.
Do the right thing, whether or not you are at home. Don't swear if you know your neighbor might be listening. Have respect for your parents, yourself, and your neighbors parents. If you want you can become this boys friend, you can also tell him that swearing is not right, and he will listen to you.
Thank you for reading,
Father of a child with Down Syndrome
Farmington, Michigan
2007-01-30 15:51:03 · answer #2 · answered by Army Veteran 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is, unfortunately for you, not a free speech issue. When you go to the meeting, very politely and respectfully say that you did not swear at home and the kid did not learn anything from you. You might add that you are sorry for any confusion, but you really don't know what this is all about. Another, an better option is simply apologizing for your use of language, adding that you had no intention of teaching the other kid to swear, and promise to be more discrete in the future.
2007-01-30 15:28:06 · answer #3 · answered by fonography 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The school has absolutely no right to police what you say outside of school. As a matter of civility, you should learn to talk without cursing, but that is a choice you have to make.
For those telling you that the First Amendment does not cover your right to say "son of a b***h", they are completely wrong. Cursing can be viewed as a method of voicing your opinion or even making some sort of political statement (an example would be in order to protest laws against cursing). Either way, it is indeed covered by the First Amenment.
In conclusion, if the school is indeed trying to punish you for speech made at your home, your family should seek the advice of a qualified lawyer who specializes in free speech cases.
2007-01-30 15:56:07 · answer #4 · answered by anarchisthippy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well that really doesn't fall under freedom of speech- you are talking about something completely different...but I don't think you are telling the whole story because one school shouldn't interfere with the other.. I don't know why this would become such an issue.... it doesn't make a whole lot of sense.. kids pick up words all the time from all different places.. if the kid heard it at the store from an employee would they call the store.. NO... so why would their school be messing with your school about this.. not sure I'm understanding or you aren't telling the whole story about what happened.. Your parents should be able to straighten it out for you.. have you told them yet?
2007-01-30 15:22:55 · answer #5 · answered by katjha2005 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have the right to say what you want when you are in your own home. You have that right when you are in your car, on your property, or pretty much anywhere (as long as you aren't yelling "Fire!" or something that can cause harm). It isn't your fault that this kid is mental and that his parents haven't taught him "good" and "bad" words and when to use them. THAT is up to the parents and the school, not the dude next door. Yes, they can restrict your speech, to some extent, while on school grounds. That is the ONLY power they have over what you say. DO NOT give in to such pathetic attempts to control you. If it gets really bad, start in on how you're calling the ACLU... that should shut them up right quick!
2007-01-30 15:40:48 · answer #6 · answered by Goose&Tonic 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People who swear are generally of poor intelligence. If you want to look stupid, continue swearing. If you don't want to look stupid, develop a better vocabulary and better English skills to allow you to organize and express your thoughts coherently.
As for the meeting, I suggest you apologize and tell them you have decided to improve your language skills, and that you will no longer swear, inside or outside of school.
2007-01-30 17:59:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have an idea...just apologize...and maybe not swear around a kid. Yeah you have a right to free speech but thats meant to protect ideas.
2007-01-30 15:21:06 · answer #8 · answered by Carey T 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'd say grow up and learn to speak without using swear words.
Simple as that.
Cheers, mate.
2007-01-30 15:21:16 · answer #9 · answered by theearlybirdy 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You have the right to say what you want in your house, but you should watch your language around kids.
The freedom of speech says you have the right to say what you want but there could be consequences for your actions.
GOOD LOUCK WITH YOUR MEETING!!!!!!!!!!
2007-01-30 15:29:22 · answer #10 · answered by Gamfreek91 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋