AIBU to think 'scumbag' is inappropriate language for a primary class?

[NotSoCheerySnail]

AIBU to think it’s not appropriate for a primary teacher to use the word “scumbag” in front of pupils?

My child came home from school and repeated something their teacher said… apparently the teacher referred to someone as a “silly old scumbag”. My child couldn’t really explain who it was about (maybe someone outside, maybe just in conversation), but the word itself surprised me.

It definitely wasn’t directed at a child as far as I can tell, but it was said in front of the class. This is a primary school and the children are fairly young.

AIBU to think that’s not really appropriate language for a primary classroom, or am I being overly sensitive and this is just one of those things?

To add, this teacher also called my son a ‘weirdo’ for the way he holds his pencil. And apparently loves lots of gore and blood in their stories. We’re talking Y4 here. IDK… pupils absolutely love him but it all really annoys me. Am I too sensitive?

I think you are perhaps a little sensitive. If anyone has heard the song Fairytale in New York they have heard the word. You also only have half the story. In terms of weirdo it would entirely depend on context. It would be said very light heartedly. I'm a year 4 teacher and have all sorts of little nick names for my class always light hearted. My class also love a gruesome story, we are about to twisted fairy tales all the good guys die, kids love it and its always done age appropriately.

That sentence doesn't make sense so I'm assuming they used it to stop themselves saying a different but really inappropriate word! Bit like saying sugar instead of shit. Might not have been a good substitution but sometimes you can't think quickly enough in the moment.

Trying to think of a sc word that scumbag replaced, maybe scrote? 😳

Weirdo is a compliment these days, like sick.

Silly old scumbag (not directed at a child) - need context? If they’re doing history and talking about Henry VIII or a story and talking about a villain it would be ok.

At year 4?

yes, you are being overly sensitive.
my kids at that age loved horrible histories and stupid deaths was a big favourite. Many kids love gore and guts and violence (at an appropriate level of course) at this age.

Is the teacher American? Never heard that word in England.

‘Pupils absolutely love him….’

Yeah, you’re being unreasonable.

I think you are being overly precious about scum bag and weirdo .

Was the teacher in conversation with another adult and overheard or talking to the class? What was the context?

I don't think him saying weirdo to your son in a jokey way is a terrible thing. It sounds like the sort of jokey banter that my sons would have found funny.

It's not swearing? I can't see a problem, especially with Y4 - they're not Reception. And all children love blood and guts, nothing wrong with that either.

I don't think you are being oversensitive.... but would personally have more of a problem of your child being called a weirdo for struggling with pencil grip... that's not cool. Also I know others have said their kids this kind of age love blood and gore... others really don't. My daughter finds that kind of thing distressing and will have nightmares and it affect her sleep. It must be hard for teachers to balance this I do understand. I would be tempted to mention it... certainly the weirdo comment if nothing else.

The teacher hasn’t made themselves look very intelligent have they? How old are they? They sound like 14 year old! And it’s unprofessional for a teacher to be calling a child a “weirdo”.

I used this insult until a friend suggested I look up the meaning. Not used it since and on that basis I would regard it as inappropriate in a school setting.

I’m ok being told I’m too sensitive about it. Especially seeing it’s a general consensus. I just don’t find it particularly necessary or professional to use crude language around children, especially without explanation..

I wouldn't be happy about being called a weirdo due to pencil grip.
my son doesn't have the best grip either

What, scumbag? Give over.

Impossible to say without the full context, but I can’t say I’d be massively concerned. They’ll hear much worse soon. The weirdo one is the only comment that sounds like it might be a bit off.

@NotSoCheerySnail maybe it’s all just in jest, that’s why the kids really like him! He’s showing he’s human and relatable: yr4 kids love these type of words as long as they are not said to insult. I bet he’s said poo and fart too, to get them giggling!

I used to teach primary (very briefly).

I used to threaten to hang draw and quarter kids who didn’t do their homework. Once I think I threatened a kid with being put in a pit of snakes if he wasn’t quiet.

scumbag is a very mild level of insult and your child’s teacher has a relationship with your child that is not the same as yours.

children do understand by this age that things are not meant literally and that context matters and they often find totally outlandish things funny.

They are people.

What? Of course it’s used in England. Ever since I was a child. And I’m 50.

OP, you’re being way over-sensitive about all of it.

Unprofessional unnecessary and I agree OP, it’s crude.

Calling a child a scumbag wouldn't be ok.

Just using the word in earshot of a Year 4 child seems fine to be though, it could have been in a book or something?
But 'silly old scumbag' doesn't make sense so I'd assume your child probably misheard or misremembered.