Even the best parents in the world probably let a swear word slip from their lips in front of the kiddos sometimes, we’ve all been there. But according to Dr. Emma Byrne, a scientist in the field of artificial intelligence and the author of “Swearing is Good for You: The Amazing Science of Bad Language,” we shouldn’t worry one bit because teaching kids to swear can have a lot of upsides.
Byrne has found teaching kids to curse can help them understand language better, and she’s linked swearing to honesty, having a more robust vocabulary, better credibility, and helping kids process and handle anger. So this self-proclaimed “Sweary Scientist” says we should reverse the idea that we should keep strong language from little ones until they know how to use it effectively.
“Learning how to use swearing effectively, with the support of empathetic adults,” Byrne says, “is far better than trying to ban children from using such language.”
In her book, Byrne also explains that swearing has been shown to ease the effects of physical pain, reduce anxiety, help trauma victims recover language, and promotes “human cooperation” in kids. Of course, moms and dads don’t want junior dropping an F-bomb in English class every day, but teaching our kids that not only is it okay to swear in certain situations, but that it can actually be good for us, could be a good thing. Plus, it’s a lot more fun, isn’t it?