How do you feel about washing a kid's mouth out with soap? Exactly what would deem it necessary?

Question

I should add that I'm just curious what you think... I haven't had to do this with my children, nor would I use this as an empty threat. I follow through with the warnings I give. Anyway, we were watching "A Christmas Story" and I wondered how parents felt about that method these days...

Answer 1

I had it done to me many times as a kid; I responded well and didn't repeat my actions.
However, research has shown that it is not good to do with all the chemicals and additives and antibiotics in soaps today. It can be harmful to the health of the child.
Don't use an empty threat, because then the child will likely push the threshold until you snap.
Instead, try using a hot sauce of some sort. Tabasco worked well for me, it's not too hot but it was enough (1 teaspoonful, nothing to drink for 30 minutes) to make me cry at 12.

To each his own, just be sure that your child learns from his or her mistakes.

Answer 2

IT's considered child abuse now, but I don't think it was 5 years ago. I have had my mouth washed out with soap twice when I was younger. One time I told my dad to go to hell, the other time I said f**k out of frustration. I'm 21 and still won't cuss in front of my parents. Either I learned my lesson or I just have respect for my elders. Anyways, I guess putting soap in a kid's mouth can kill them or something.

Answer 3

I think it's wrong and I would never do that to my child. I've had it happen to me when I was younger for using a bad word in front of one of my grandparent's. She took me into the bathroom and put soap in my mouth. It's not a great feelihng and also there are concerns with using soap even if it hasn't been used the chemicals for the antibacterial are bad for a you. If it was bad enough whatever is happening usually washing a mouth with soap is used for trying to teach a child not to cuss or use bad words. I would spank my child instead of using that horrible method of putting soap in their mouths.

Answer 4

I told my son when he was four years old that swearing in our house would not be permitted. No arguments either. So I was home from work with the flu one day and he swore at me when I wouldn't do something he wanted. So I marched him to the bathroom, told him to stick out his tongue and touched the bar of soap to it. I didn't let him have water for a few minutes so he was making "ick" noises. He never again swore in my presence. So I didn't really "wash out" his mouth with soap, but I made a healthier decision and got the same result.

Answer 5

Parents would wash their children's mouths out with soap when they said a dirty word.

I had it done to me a couple times as a kid. It wasn't really all that bad it just tasted awful! A couple rinses with water fixed it but it did leave a weird feeling in my mouth for an hour. Some soaps could be dangerous if eaten though so I wouldn't recommend it. My great aunt Hazel used to do this to all of us. I don't remember what I'd said though.

Answer 6

I don't see anything wrong with washing a kids mouth out with soap. I had it done to me several times growing up, and it taught me to treat my everyone with respect.

Answer 7

it has happened to me before it wasn't very nice but i should of known better to swear at my sister i think it works because i didn't dare to do it again but not to much if you ever do it to your kids but yer that's just my opinion

hope i helped

Answer 8

i threaton but never had to wash my 13 years old mouth out .lucky so far.

Answer 9

I would say its dehumanizing, cruel and potentially toxic.

Why not teach your kids instead of punishing them?

My 2 y.o. is experimenting with "dammit" right now. I simply tell him "that is not an appropriate word for a child to use, it is for grown ups to use only sometimes when they are VERY frustrated." I also told him (a little silly, but it helps put things into perspective for him, "when you are old enough to drink coffee (a sign of adulthood in his view;-) then you can choose to use those words."

I used a similar tactic with my DD (now 11) and it worked like a charm. Ad she grew up I explained to her our society's expectations of various ages and education levels and how those words might make people feel etc... She really appreciated having things explained to her.

Answer 10

Children need to learn to be respectful and well spoken. Yes, parents set the example, however, bad habits are easily picked up from peers and television. Whatever tool helps a child to mind his manners and to be respectful in all situations is hardly cruel.