San Francisco, CA -- Most parents don't want their school-age tots hearing the cursing kids on "South Park," but it might be beneficial.

That's the word from comic book author Gerard Jones, who has written for "Pokemon," "The X-Men" and "Spider-Man," and is the author of a new book, "Killing Monsters: Why Children Need Fantasy, Super Heroes And Make-Believe Violence" (Perseus).

Although conventional wisdom suggests that normal kids will curse up a storm if they hear Eric Cartman or Bart Simpson say it first, Jones says evidence suggests the opposite.

He says pre-teen kids are very concerned with doing the right things, and, if anything, shows like "South Park" teach them how not to behave.

As a result, he thinks that the cartoon cursing might be cathartic for kids and swear them off swearing themselves.

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