'I'll have to make sure my kids are out of the room... that's really sad': Parents despair as the presidential debate becomes so 'vulgar' they can't let their children watch it

By Sarah Dean For Mailonline

Published: 03:52 EST, 10 October 2016 | Updated: 05:14 EST, 10 October 2016

Many parents across America refused to let their children stay up and watch the second presidential debate on Sunday as allegations of sexual abuse and vicious language were hurled between candidates.

The second debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton quickly turned sour, moments into the debate, when billionaire businessman Trump accused Bill Clinton of being 'abusive to women'.

The accusations were part of Trump's defense as he was probed over a historical tape in which he is heard gloating about groping women. The recording has sent his campaign into a tailspin since being made public on Friday.

'Certainly I'm not proud of it. But this is locker room talk,' Trump pleaded, when pressed about his boasts of sexual assault.

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Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump went head-to-head at Washington University,  in St Louis, Missouri, on Sunday

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump went head-to-head at Washington University,  in St Louis, Missouri, on Sunday

Journalist and mother Johanna Carrillo tweeted that she wouldn't be letting her eight-year-old son watch the debate 

Journalist and mother Johanna Carrillo tweeted that she wouldn't be letting her eight-year-old son watch the debate 

Knowing parents anticipated the direction the conversation would head in the second debate, and many who normally encouraged their children to engage in politics felt uneasy about letting their kids watch the verbal sparring match.

Johanna Carrillo said: 'My son wants to watch the debate with us tonight. He's 8. I can't even explain the zillion reasons why this isn't a good idea...so sad.'

'Currently in complete panic that my kids won't be asleep by the time the debate starts and could hear it. That's where we are in 2016,' Politico journalist Ben White said.

Former White House reporter Nedra Pickler despaired: 'It's come to this, America - Trying to get kids to bed early so they won't be exposed to NC-17 presidential debate.'

Susana Mendoza said that 'responsible parents' shouldn't let their children watch the debate

Susana Mendoza said that 'responsible parents' shouldn't let their children watch the debate

Mel urged parents to make sure their children 'leave the room' to avoid the language used

Mel urged parents to make sure their children 'leave the room' to avoid the language used

Former White House reporter Nedra Pickler said 'it's come to this, America' 

Former White House reporter Nedra Pickler said 'it's come to this, America' 

Author Scott Thompson said it's 'really sad' that children can't watch the debate

Author Scott Thompson said it's 'really sad' that children can't watch the debate

Lesley Abravanel remembered the days when children were encouraged to watch the debate

Lesley Abravanel remembered the days when children were encouraged to watch the debate

Trump lashes out at Clinton during the town hall debate at Washington University on Sunday

Trump lashes out at Clinton during the town hall debate at Washington University on Sunday

Susana A. Mendoza, from Chicago, wrote on Twitter: 'How sad. Responsible parents in this country must ensure kids are in bed b4 8pm in order to AVOID watching vulgarity of PRESIDENTIAL debate!'

Some suggested that the live debate should be aired on a 30 second delay so that it could be censored for vulgarities.

Author Scott Thompson said: 'I'll have to make sure my kids are out of the room during the presidential debates tonight. That's really sad.'

'Debates used to be something parents were encouraged to watch with their children. Now we're encouraged to keep kids away. New lows,' Lesley Abravanel wrote.

Drew Curtis added: 'Just realized that the fact we are going to watch the debate at a friend's house so our kids don't accidentally see it is kind of terrifying.'

Drew Curtis said he would be going to watch the debate at a friend's house 

Drew Curtis said he would be going to watch the debate at a friend's house 

Jon Agee anticipated the way the debate might head and sent his kid to watch a movie instead

Jon Agee anticipated the way the debate might head and sent his kid to watch a movie instead

Sean Kent said 'Donald Trump has made me embarrassed to let me daughters watch the debate' 

Sean Kent said 'Donald Trump has made me embarrassed to let me daughters watch the debate' 

Marika Shaub said the debate would not be PG rated and despaired 'this is America folks' 

Marika Shaub said the debate would not be PG rated and despaired 'this is America folks' 

Ryan Parker joked that a warning sign should be shown before the debate 

Ryan Parker joked that a warning sign should be shown before the debate 

 

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