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Original poster

To think "bollocks" *is* a swearword inappropriate for children

40 replies

Mamagiraffe · 01/01/2025 22:13

Having a bit of an argument with STBXH and I'd appreciate a reality check on whether or not I'm being unreasonable.

YABU- bollocks is a perfectly appropriate word to send in a meme to an 11 year old boy

YANBU- bollocks is an inappropriate word to send in a meme to an 11 year old boy

OP posts:
AliceMcK · 01/01/2025 22:24

Sorry I just chuckled to myself as I had a flashback to saying bollox to my DF when I was probably year 6 and the look on his face, the cool calm what did you say, so naive me repeated the word before I realised what I said 🫢

I think it fully depends on circumstances and lifestyle. Are you a family that swears, allows a certain level of relaxation around rules during a joke moment, or are you a strict no swear words family.

i come from a large joke telling fecking this and that Irish family. Although children aren’t allowed to swear as a rule if it’s slipped out in jest or shown as part of a meme it would be allowed. Used in anger or an insult absolutely not.

Even as adults we have rules, I could swear like a sailor to my DF as an adult but I’d never swear in front of my aunts or paternal grandparents. My maternal grandparents taught me most swear words and mocked my mother for not letting me swear as a child.

NPET · 01/01/2025 22:24

When I was an 11 year old GIRL I used the word. But as far as I remember we didn't use it when boys were around. I think I probably thought it was a word like 'dick' or 'willie' which we used among ourselves
(Edit - before anyone comments, yes boys obviously knew and used words like dick or willie, but we didn't use them when they were with us.)

Original poster
Mamagiraffe · 01/01/2025 22:24

MartinCrieffsLemon · 01/01/2025 22:19

Actually, depends on the content of the meme and the intention

Everyday offhand Happy New Year and all that Bollocks (a Rick and Ade in Bottom picture for context). To me, I find this normalising the swearing since it's coming from his dad. There's other things which are colouring my view of his parenting overall which is why I need a bit of a sense check on this one. As someone said upthread- it is mild swearing but I'm being made out to be a Victorian shrew for this being the straw that broke the camel's back for me.

OP posts:
username7367 · 01/01/2025 22:24

It's not great, but not that bad either. I assume there's other things that are making you mad

PrincessOfPreschool · 01/01/2025 22:22

I went on a Brexit march with my kids (aged about 8-12) and they got given "Bollocks to Brexit" stickers. They were thrilled and still remember it. So, all in all I think it's not the worst word and probably OK for a meme.

Ellie1015 · 01/01/2025 22:21

At 11 occasional mild swearing not a big deal for me.

If the meme was particularly entertaining/relevent to the child at 11 i would expect them to hear/see swear words but know not allowed to say them.

If he was just saying bollocks instead of communicating properly ie "nonsense" ir "i dont believe that" then it would be more annoying.

SilviaDaisyPouncer · 01/01/2025 22:21

I don't think it's the crime of the century, but I wouldn't send a meme to an eleven year old with the word bollocks in it.

MartinCrieffsLemon · 01/01/2025 22:19

Actually, depends on the content of the meme and the intention

Original poster
Mamagiraffe · 01/01/2025 22:18

WhatIDoIsEnough · 01/01/2025 22:16

The word bollocks will be the least of your worries when he starts seniors

He's at seniors already. He clearly will be saying things he shouldn't with other kids but do you think it's ok for a grown man to encourage this? His dad?

OP posts:
MartinCrieffsLemon · 01/01/2025 22:18

It's only mild swearing and I'm pretty sure one of those that evades the watershed. Certainly sure it's used in 12 rated films

I wouldn't have an issue with it around an 11 year old

Closetheblinds · 01/01/2025 22:18

Definitely a swear word!

Original poster
Mamagiraffe · 01/01/2025 22:16

VodkaCola · 01/01/2025 22:15

Classy.

Well clearly I don't think it is- I'm sure you can tell why he is an ex.

OP posts:
WhatIDoIsEnough · 01/01/2025 22:16

The word bollocks will be the least of your worries when he starts seniors

VodkaCola · 01/01/2025 22:15

Classy.

Davros · 01/01/2025 22:15

Bollocks is swearing

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