Anonymous wrote:I'm the one who told the story about my kid with the two "S" words.
I think it's a word that at this point has become so far divorced from the original meaning that kids using it aren't thinking anything vulgar. I don't use it myself, because I'm a teacher and I wouldn't want a student to go home and quote me, but it's not a word I would ban. Just like stupid (the other S word from my kid's point of view), whether or not I'd correct my kid for using it depends on how they use it. The following things would be considered rude in my house:
"You suck"
"You're stupid"
or if I've just told that you need to finish your math before playing legos
"That sucks"
"That's stupid"
or at the dinner table
"Your cooking sucks"
"I hate your stupid chicken"
On the other hand, if you tell me that the virus sucks, or you think that the rule about wearing white after Labor Day is stupid, I'd laugh and agree with you.
Agree context matters. We also talk a lot about knowing your audience. You can say things at home you wouldn’t say to a teacher or grandparent or friend’s parent, etc.