Profanity is defined by Merriam-Webster as offensive language or an offensive word, the key word obviously being offensive. Now, experts say that, and I am sure many of us can attest to this, preteens and adolescents are swearing more publicly than ever before. The truth is that swearing has become a common way of conversing. They have become our go-to nouns, adjectives and verbs that we definitely didn't learn in the classroom.
Just the other day, I went bowling with my older brother and his friend. There was a group of 13 to 15-year-olds to our left. Then there was a group of college boys to our right. Take a wild guess where we heard the most profanity coming from? Your guess will most likely be wrong because it wasn't the rowdy boys to our right. It was the middle schoolers to our left. I was shocked. What has caused this?
From social media to television to movies to music, profanity is used quite frequently. Social media allows anyone to post anything at anytime. I understand that there are ways for posts to be reported and taken down, but does this happen enough? My timeline is constantly filled with vulgar language. I am no longer even phased by it. Cursing has become so normal. TV and movies seem to be less and less censored. Don't even get me started on music.
All of the exposure to this language has made it acceptable for teens and even younger children to use the curse words as well. Even 3-year-olds are being exposed to it daily. Check out YouTube and see how many videos there are of young children cursing. Yes, at first, it is sort of funny hearing such high-pitched, little voices saying such crude words, but in the end, it is just sad. It's sad that this is now considered "normal." Teenagers and kids even younger seem to be cursing more than adults.
I am not saying that no one should ever curse or that I don't ever curse. I myself have been in that uncomfortable conversation with my parents when I accidentally drop the f-bomb (sorry, Mom and Dad). Awkward. It happens to everyone. You are not a bad person if you curse more than the average person. We are who we are and if that is what floats your boat, then, so be it. However, I do find it offensive when people curse in public. This is an issue that I do not believe anyone really thinks about. Cursing may not be considered offensive in your friend group or maybe in your family, but I sure don't want to go out to eat and hear people at the table next to me cursing like sailors.
