Accaptable use of profanity?

Should the use of profanity be acceptable anytime?

What constitutes acceptable profanity?

Profanity is considered the use of offensive and rude words and is naturally a controversial topic. As quoted by Adiai Stevenson, “Man does not live by words alone, despite the fact that sometimes he has to eat them.”

In the August 2010 Psychology Today article it was reported that in the mid 1990s the use of profanity words by men was 67 percent for women 33 percent, which suggests that society will accept offensive and rudeness behavior from men more so than from women. If you are a woman that uses profanity you will be viewed as weak, uneducated, angry, and just plain crazy.

Most people have been taught that men swearing is normal whereas women swearing is not lady-like. Some profanity users believe that swearing is powerful. At times, it can be therapeutic, show excitement, or express disappointment. Profanity commands attention and in some cases earns a degree of respect.

Now that swearing has entered public speaking, how should the public react? It is factual that the standards of using proper language are relaxed. Words once never allowed on television are now common.

Movies and entertainment are filled with what used to be considered profane. It has become a part of many languages around the world. Now you are just as likely to hear the same swearing words from a woman or child as used to be from only a hardcore man.

Profanity can be abusive, vulgar, and offensive language and almost every person everywhere has used this language at some point in their life. People use profanity for a several reasons such as to intentionally be rude, insult, tell a joke, intimidate, or to deliver an important message.

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‘A Political View’

By Sherry Holliman SHERRY HOLLIMAN (cont.)

Which to a non-profanity user might demonstrate ignorance or lack of education. But even with those who do have adequate vocabulary that use many unnecessary foul words sometimes they do so because they grew up hearing them used in their environment.

Do you believe using profanity indicates low diction?

Should using profanity affect the expected results intended to influence corrections?

Profanity is used by almost everyone — every gender, race, and age all over the world. Should public leaders be reprimanded for publicly using foul language? Many people believe that using profanity out of frustration, fear, anger, or passion, is not always meant to make anybody feel bad but rather as an authentic way of expressing strong emotions.

Should the obscenities that are voiced, the tone of the profanity, the audience listening or reading it, be considered to accept the purpose?

With the nation experiencing stressful, frustrating, and demanding unforeseen health and safety challenges of the coronavirus, some leaders are expressing their emotions periodically with nasty words appearing to sound crude, and negative. While politics is full of foul language, when used to bash others shows disrespect and unprofessionalism.

What is considered acceptable or mildly profane in one culture or language usage may be considered highly offensive in another. There does seem to be some correlation with socioeconomic groups and usage. Use of this kind of language does not strictly fit any demographic model. Whereas in the past it was only used by the poorest and least cultured in society, now it can be heard from all kinds of people and all different walks of life.

Why not be different?

Don’t use it at all — in a private speech and especially in public speaking. It will be a benefit in how people perceive and speak around you. Sure, they are just words, but words can cause extreme responses, just because you do not understand why or do not think it should matter, it will, and it does. Those who choose to use words that offend others will receive the lack of respect or consideration they have shown. If you are a profanity user practice common sense for using certain swear words that can generate a sense of caring and close connection. The proper use of cursing can help show a sense of urgency about important issues and emphasize the urgency of a situation.

Funny, foul language is often used to express anger or emphasize a point, but if used respectfully can command respect and attract attention more effectively.

It is all about choice and how we want others to hear us.

Do you believe there can be a balance with using profanity?

Sherry Holliman is a concerned citizen of Crittenden County and has some views on a variety of topics that she wants to share with her neighbors. She serves on the Marion City Council.