Lynn, I know what you mean!! Children hear it from older children, I'd say. My son is 14 and we are a very socially conscious house. I am a Mental Health advocate so you can imagine that intolerance of any sort is not a done thing in our house.

He referred to things as being "gay", "homo", "retarded" and other meaningless drivel. I tried to explain the unquantifiable ramifications of speaking like that.......he would improve and then it would be back. 2 weeks ago I said " babe, if you say those words in this house one more time, i am going to ban you from the TV. I have tried to explain why you do not say these words. Would you run around and say the "N" word? No, this is NO different. One day you are going to say it in front of the wrong person and they are going to retaliate in a BIG way. Not only that but it HURTS!!"

Everyones opinions on certain issues are different and I have no problem with my son having one, but do not be uneducated about it. Slander is slander no matter how you look at it.......he is really good with my friends who are mentally ill and has tolerated me being in a psych unit, even though he was not directly exposed. So his bad language does not necessarily reflect his compassion and understanding.........complex creatures teenagers....

It shall pass.......sometimes with hard measures!!