Is it illegal to have swear words on a greeting card visible to children?

[onlyjustsane]

I'm in the UK and today I went into a nice-looking shop in a shopping center in Brighton. They sold framed photos, posters, teddy-bears, gifts, mugs, cards etc, all good quality merchandise and nothing cheap. I was looking for some birthday cards and was shocked to see one that had the words F### OFF (the actual words, not hash signs!) in a photo of a fridge with fridge-magnets spelling out these words. I beckoned over a female assistant and said that surely this is not OK? She didn't seem very concerned and said that since it wasn't down low where little ones could read it then it was OK. I said it was only chest-high and children that small probably couldn't read anyway. I asked her if she thought it was OK for a six year old to read it, or maybe an eight year old? what age did she think it was appropriate for a child to read such language? She wasn't interested in talking to me and when I asked for the manager I was told that they would be in in half an hour. I told her she had lost my business and that I would never shop there again. She just shrugged. This is a national chain of shops (no it's not Clintons) and I'm going to write to the shop manager and their head-office, but my question is, is it legal? you can't write such words on the front of a newspaper or a magazine so are greeting cards exempt? There is a small independent card shop near my daughter's school that specializes in very naughty cards and although I've bought plenty for my friends (I'm no prude, I'm just a concerned parent) I would never take my girl inside. This other store is in a prime position with a big opening and the offending card was in clear display right near the entrance.
So is it legal? that's my question. It's not allowed on other publications so are cards exempt? Are there any display guidelines that should be adhered to? I've asked this question in Law, not parenting.
So is it legal? that's my question. It's not allowed on other publications so are cards exempt? Are there any display guidelines that should be adhered to? I've asked this question in Law, not parenting.

 

[Tiki]

You should really consider teaching your children right from wrong as opposed to completely sheltering them and pretending the F word doesn't exist.
Both of my children are fully aware of foul language and what it means. Neither of my children uses it in the presence of myself or other adults whom they should respect.
As for using it when they are around other kids, I'd imagine they do on occasion swear, but so did I when I was a kid.
It shouldn't matter if they see it on a card, or hear a stranger blurt it out for some reason. They should be made to understand that it is improper and disrespectful. This would mean take all of your energy you would waste on drafting and sending a pointless letter in an attempt to make everyone conform to your feelings that all should cater to how you want your children to be treated and use it to teach your own children a healthy understanding of reality.

 

[DreSnark®]

You think your kids have never heard anybody say fuck? Get over it.

ADD: Believe it or not, the government has not passed laws about absolutely everything. The day the government feels compelled to pass legislation concerning the displaying of greeting cards with the F-word on them, that's the day civilization has officially come to an end.

 

[janedoe]

Geez, stop being such a prude. Even if you did write to the manager, they wont take it down. Its legal. Listen, even if your daughter doesn't read it on a card or whatever she WILL hear it! in streets, on television, in movies and from her freinds. just calmly explain to her not to use it.