While the f-word becoming more normal than a 'hi', casual swearing has become somewhat normalized, the issue of whether parents should curse in front of their children has now become more relevant than ever. This has caused quite a debate among parents, educators, and psychologists regarding the effects of this behavior on children.

Some say it does not matter, and others are worried about its impact on children's behavior and social skills in the long run. So, what is the verdict? Let's understand the issue and explore whether or not cursing in front of kids is really as problematic as it might seem.

Social Implications of Parents Swearing

Parents often find themselves in situations where frustration or stress leads them to use colorful language. From a burnt dinner to a traffic jam, expletives sometimes slip out, and many wonder whether their kids are paying attention. Indeed, children are like sponges—absorbing everything they hear, see, and experience. So, when they overhear their parents swearing, what does it mean for them?

Some parents worry that exposure to bad language from their children will lead down a slippery slope of further inappropriate behavior, like "gateway drugs" to serious problems. Others worry their children will learn to throw around swear words without good judgment, and then there'll be social consequences, including embarrassing moments in school or conflicts with teachers. It's easy to see how this could become an anxiety point for parents.

A 2011 paper on Pediatrics assessed the nature and scope of children's perceptions of swearing in games and videos to television programming by establishing whether exposure to more profanity leads kids into engaging in more aggression than children not exposed. Indeed, moderate positive relationship occurred; that is to say that casual use of cursing may actually affect language as perceived, behavior as perceived and perception on social norms.

However, it is important to understand that the effect of listening to curse words is quite situation-specific and depends more upon the context in which those words are used as well as the frequency by which children are exposed to these words. For instance, when children are exposed occasionally with stressful or private moments, that isn't as harmful as a habitual use of abusive or degrading words.

Language of Swearing: Does It Harm or Help?

For a moment now, research has shown otherwise-indeed, that people generally believe to be the converse-swearing does not have dire effects as most people view it. In fact, within controlled contexts, profanities have been associated with positives in language development.

Experts have demonstrated that those capable of fluently using what society will have termed curse words are significantly able to give appropriate expression of complex emotions thereby suggesting that swearing, although careful should be reflective of linguistic and emotionality creativity.

On the other hand, though, some research suggests swearing can also be a way of having a cathartic release. Swearing to relieve a moment of suffering or annoyance has been established to be a pain enhancer. This may suggest swearing in the presence of kids, within reasonable limits, can represent a harmless emotional release for their parents.

However, it would be vital to consider the language being employed. Though slurs used for emphasis or moments of frustration may not do any harm, the intention behind some words can go a long way. Using derogatory terms or slurs in the presence of children is a way of reinforcing harmful societal beliefs and negative stereotypes.

This was illustrated in a 2007 study published in The Journal of Early Adolescence, which discovered that being exposed to homophobic slurs was associated with increased stress, anxiety, and depression in children. Therefore, although casual swearing is not by itself damaging, hate-filled language is.

What About the Kids?

One of the primary reasons parents worry is whether their kids will adopt the bad language they hear. Children, especially those under 5 years old, are very prone to mimicking everything they hear. If the young child hears their parents uttering these words most of the time, then they are likely to say them as well, without fully understanding their meanings or appropriateness for use. Such situations often lead to embarrassment or awkwardness, especially in places such as school or social events.

However, as children grow older and acquire a better understanding of the language, they start grasping the subtlety of social norms. This is when parents often observe that children who are frequently exposed to occasional swearing are not imitating the behavior themselves. Some children, even those who hear swearing from their parents, do not use it, especially if it is not taboo anymore. The concept is that when the language is not considered a "forbidden fruit," it loses its allure.

Basically, when the swearing gets out of proportion or done towards children, then there is a risk of resultant damage. Experts say that only occasional use of curse words by oneself in private won't do much harm. The actual problem is present when the habit becomes part of regular communication or if it is used in a hostile or to belittle others' manner. Using swelling as the punitive measure or lowering the prestige of children is highly not acceptable in any case.

It's about balance, like most things in parenting. Parents who use the word in a non-abusive manner and in proper context are unlikely to find anything wrong with their children's development. In fact, some research suggests that children who hear their parents swear have a better understanding of language and emotional expression.

So, is cursing in front of kids a bad idea? Not necessarily, if done thoughtfully and in moderation. The real problem is not the words themselves, but the context in which those words are used and the intentions behind them. Swearing is a natural part of language, but when used indiscriminately or abusively, it can be offensive.

Parents should aim to model respectful communication, and always be mindful of how and when they use language in front of their children. Ultimately, the key lies in teaching children about appropriate language and the importance of using words thoughtfully and responsibly.

A giant baby weighing 5.9 kg was born to a mother in New York. She was left in shock and amaze when she saw that she had delivered a boy much bigger than she expected. The newborn baby weighed almost twice as much as an average baby. The baby is born to Terrica and Shawn on January 31 in Cayuga Medical Center. His weigh has made him the heaviest baby ever born at the Ithaca-based hospital, reported the NY Post.

The mother of four said she knew her son would be a little heavy, however did not know he would be this big. She said he is already wearing three-to-six month old baby clothes and diaper. She feels like she has given birth to a three-month-old.

The hospital also posted a photo of the baby on Facebook, comparing him with another newborn baby alongside. The other baby too was born on the same day, whose name is Margot and weighs only 1.8 kg.

Robyn Torgalski, System Director of Maternal and Child Health at Centralus Health, described the two births as a powerful reminder that every newborn and every birth story is unique. She noted that whether a baby weighs four pounds or thirteen, the medical team is fully equipped to deliver the highest level of care to both mother and child. Torgalski added that she is proud of the maternity services at Cayuga Health and feels privileged to support families during such an important life event.

Read: 99th Percentile Baby: What It Means, Risks, And What Parents Should Know

Giant Babies: All About Them

As per the Guinness World Records, the heaviest recorded baby ever was 9.97 kg born in Italy in 1955.

Dr Sermed Mezher, a digital health content creator, and a London based GP, shared: "Babies in the womb who measure in the 99th percentile for weight are referred to as macrosomic baby, meaning they are significantly larger than average for their gestational age. While most macrosomic babies are healthy, their larger size can increase the risk of certain complications during pregnancy and delivery."

What Does It Mean To Be A 99th Percentile Baby?

Babies in the 99th percentile for weight are larger than 99% of babies at the same gestational age. This may lead to birth complications such as shoulder dystocia—when the baby’s shoulders become stuck during delivery—or increase the likelihood of cesarean section. Mothers may also experience a higher risk of perineal tearing, postpartum hemorrhage, and greater pregnancy weight gain. Contributing factors include maternal diabetes, genetics, or excess weight gain during pregnancy.

This larger birth size is medically categorized under fetal macrosomia, which refers to babies in the top 10% of weight for gestational age—with the 99th percentile representing the most extreme cases.

What Causes A Baby To Be a 99th Percentile Baby?

While we do not know the cause in this case, there are certain reason a baby may fall into the category, which includes:

• You have a large fundal height (a measurement of fetal growth)
• Significant weight gain during pregnancy
• Gestational diabetes or pre-existing diabetes
• History of delivering large babies
• Prolonged pregnancy past due date
• Parental genetics (you were a large baby yourself)

A team of doctors in Uttar Pradesh successfully performed a rare and highly complex neuro-interventional procedure on a two-and-a-half-year-old girl that enabled significant neurological recovery.

The child initially had severe indigestion and mild fever. However, it quickly escalated into repeated seizures, altered sensorium, and sudden loss of movement.

At ApolloMedics Super Speciality Hospital, Lucknow, the child was diagnosed with deep Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis (CVST) with multiple brain infarcts -- a condition associated with high mortality risk and potentially devastating long-term neurological disability.

“Deep cerebral venous thrombosis in toddlers is exceptionally rare, and neuro-intervention in pediatric stroke is particularly challenging because of the small size of vessels and increased risk of bleeding,” said Dr. Dewansh Mishra, Interventional Neuro-Radiologist, at ApolloMedics.

“Literature on catheter-directed thrombolysis in such young patients is limited. In this case, the child was deteriorating quickly, and timely escalation to precision neuro-intervention was crucial to prevent irreversible brain injury and give her the best possible chance of recovery,” he added.

The Rare Brain Surgery

Dr. Mishra said that the child was also diagnosed with Antiphospholipid Antibody (APLA) syndrome, a clotting disorder that increases the tendency of blood to clot excessively.

Infection and dehydration further worsened the condition and accelerated stroke progression.

Recognizing the urgency, a multidisciplinary team of doctors took a critical, high-risk decision to escalate treatment without delay. They performed intracranial catheter-directed thrombolysis, under general anesthesia, preventing irreversible brain injury in the toddler.

Through the femoral vein in the thigh, a microcatheter was carefully navigated into the intracranial venous system, and clot-dissolving medication was delivered directly at the site of thrombosis to restore venous drainage. This was successful in limiting further neurological damage.

"After nearly three weeks of intensive care and rehabilitation, the child was discharged with significant neurological recovery. She is now able to walk, speak, and perform activities that children of her age do," the hospital said in a statement.

The case, marked by rapid deterioration and a narrow window for intervention, will be presented at the Indian National Stroke Conference 2026 in Kochi, underlining both its clinical significance and the growing capabilities of advanced stroke care in India.

Can Stroke Occur In Very Young Children?

While stroke is more common in adults than in children, the condition can occur in children and debilitate their lives.

Pediatric stroke is a rare condition affecting one in every 4,000 newborns and an additional 2,000 older children each year.

Stroke in young children is similar to that of adults and is caused by a brain injury due to the interruption of blood flow to part of the brain.

In young children, the diagnosis is often delayed. A stroke typically begins suddenly in children and infants, with Seizures the most common symptom.

Extreme sleepiness or altered mental status and a tendency to use only one side of the body are other major symptoms.

Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas, we all know them as a power couple. However, there are moments that have broken them and they both have talked about it. This was the moment of their daughter Malti Marie Chopra Jonas' birth.

On February 4 episode of the Jay Shetty Podcast, Jonas, 33, opened up about his daughter's birth. "She came to the world under sort of very intense circumstances, which I have not really talked about ever. She came out, she was one pound and 11 ounces, and purple basically. These angels at the NICU kind of resuscitated her in that moment, got her taken care of really quickly, and intubated and everything else."

Also Read: Shingles Can Strike More Than Once, Vaccination Offers Protection, say experts

In fact, recently a video has been circulating of Priyanka Chopra Jonas talking about the premature birth of her daughter too. She described this period as "tough" and said that it was extremely hard on her. She also called Malti a "miracle baby".

On the Jay Shetty podcast, she revealed that the couple were forced to announce her birth, whereas they wanted to wait till her health gets better. They had put everything on halt and visited the NICU every single day. "We received a text saying that her (Malti) birth would be out in the newspapers, if we don't, they are going to put it in within three hours. So we were kind of forced into announcing her birth because we wanted to control our own narrative. We weren't ready. We didn't know what would happen with her or how she would be."

Malti's Premature Birth

Priyanka shared that she was informed about her premature delivery in the 27th week. This is what made her completely "shut down". She also recalled sitting in front of the fireplace for nine hours and was not able to process the situation.

Like Jonas, Priyanka too noted that Malti was purple at birth and required immediate NICU attention. She also said that the nurses' fingers were too big for her small mouth. She recalled feeling "numb" at that time.

However, Jonas shared that Priyanka and him "had a lot of tough conversations day in, day out about caring" for Malti. He also appreciated his wife's strength on handling the situation. "The way in which she handled it was so inspiring to me, and you know, allowing for those days to be tough, but to be tougher for our little girl was the focus."

Malti received six blood transfusions and gained weight in the hospital. After nearly three and half months, she was able to go home.

Priyanka reveals that in her house there is a "big mandir" with "a large Shiv Ji murti". This is where everyone sat as a family and she cried not out of fear, but out of gratitude. "Gratitude that she survived, that she was home, that she chose us, and that we were able to make it happen. IVF is tough."

Read: What Parents of Premature Babies Must Know About the NICU, According to a Neonatologist

What Parents Of Prematurely Born Babies Must Keep In Mind?

Health and Me had earlier spoken to Dr Sanjay Wazir, Medical Director, Neonatology and Pediatrics at Motherhood Hospitals, Gurugram who pointed out that Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or the NICU may seem overwhelming, however, it must be seen as a sanctuary of healing.

"In the NICU, premature or unwell newborns receive specialized medical attention, constant monitoring, and compassionate care from expert hands. Here, the mother and the baby are well taken care of. This will help the baby lead a healthy life. Hence, NICU care is important for all the premature or unwell babies," he says.

What Happens Inside The NICU?

The doctor explains that the NICU provides a controlled and nurturing environment where babies can grow stronger outside the womb. "It helps maintain their body temperature, supports breathing, and ensures proper nutrition through feeding tubes if necessary," he says.

Every machine in the NICU is for a specific purpose, right from oxygen support to heart rate monitoring, ensuring that each baby receives precisely what they need. Parents often find comfort knowing that the experts in the NICU are constantly watching over their child’s progress, explains the doctor.

The doctor points out that parents are essential part of the NICU journey. "Your touch, your voice, and your calm presence can help your baby feel safe and comforted," he tells to all the parents. However, what is extremely important is to maintain hygiene guidelines, staying involved in daily care, and communicating regularly with the doctors and nurses to "strengthen your bond and confidence as caregivers." The doctor says that during this time, the mother will also be taught about Kangaroo care, which is skin-to-skin contact that helps the mother bond with her baby.