Teenagers using bad language how can you stop them?

The first time your child uses a swear word is a cringe worthy moment, often they are very young and have no idea what they are saying, they are simply repeating something they have heard. When your teen swears, either generally or directly at you, you know it is deliberate. Sometimes they will use blasphemy in a casual way that is very hurtful to people of faith. It is part of their belief that swearing is a grown up thing to do, designed to let you, the parent know, that you no longer control how they express themselves.

Blasphemy can be a deliberately defiant act; they are attacking parental beliefs and distancing themselves from their parents' values. You are likely to react quite strongly, especially if your faith is of great importance to you, however you may struggle to wash out your teenager's mouth, the way grandma used to; few teenagers would allow their parents to do something like that. You can take advice from your minister or pastor to see if they know of an effective strategy, but it is likely that a quiet conversation with your teen explaining just how hurtful this is may change their defiance to embarrassment and shame.

Using sexual words as swear words is particularly unpleasant behavior to deal with. If your normally polite teenager has suddenly turned into a foul mouthed obnoxious lout, it may be a new set of friends that is influencing them. Teenagers in groups often have their own language, like a code it keeps outsiders out. Unfortunately, swearing is often seen as "big talk" defiance of authority and a sign of belonging to the group and not the family unit. You are unlikely to influence the way they talk with their friends but you can put your foot down about how they talk at home.

An effective method is to record them swearing, without them knowing you are doing it. When you play it back to them they are likely to be shocked at how disgusting they sound. They may laugh at first, this is just a nervous reaction, so do not react until the recording has finished. Then, quietly ask them if they really think that type of language makes them sound grown up.

If your teenager persists in using bad language in your house, around the family and friends, set up a swear box and make them pay each time they swear or deduct it from their pocket money. If this has no impact you will have to take more drastic action, grounding them, taking away their Internet privileges. Swearing can be the first sign that your teenager is in with a bad crowd, or a temporary aberration which they quickly get over.