In the article, “Why I Don’t Really
Give a F*ck If My Kids Curse,” by David Lesser, a father shares an opinion
about why expletives are not the worst words children (or even adults) can say.
In this piece, Lesser explains that children are going to repeat words they
hear, but it doesn’t matter. He also explains certain other words that he would
prefer his five-year-old daughter did not say. David Lesser establishes ethos
by explaining that he himself is a father, so he has firsthand experience about
children cursing, and why they should or should not do it. He also is a former
attorney, and is now a stay at home dad.
The audience of this article is
parents, as it explains to them why cursing children are not the worst things
in the world. The context is that the author’s daughter has begun to curse, and
he wishes to persuade other people that it is okay. As children grow up, we are
exposed to more words, and children do not always understand when appropriate
or inappropriate times to use these words are.
One device that made the article
effective was the way the author added in curse words. He used them effectively
by comparing them to other words such as “stupid” and “hate,” which shut things
out. By using these words, David Lesser shows how casually they can be used,
and how it is not a big deal when one slips out of someone’s mouth. Clearly,
this helps achieve his purpose.
The author’s purpose was not to
attempt to encourage parents to let their children use curse words, but an
attempt to soothe parents’ worries, saying that, yeah, they will use
expletives, but no, it is not the end of the world. He shows parents words that
can have worse connotations than the average expletive. Even though I am not a
parent, Lesser was able to show me that expletives are okay to use in the right
situations.
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