For sometime, I have been looking at this phenomena wondering if I am right. I seem to hear more xxx language these days especially out in public. Some of these foul words have become ‘in’. They have a new meaning to the younger generation. They are used as part of everyday conversation.

In the past, this language was limited to times of frustration and anger. Now, cursing is just part of everyday speech. This is causing us to become oblivious to the actual amount of cussing going around. This is bringing the profanity that, at one time, was hidden in the shadows of conversations, into daylight.

According to Donna Jo Napoli, a professor of linguistics at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania, young people are more likely to use the ‘f-bomb’ in friendly context as opposed to cursing someone out or using it to be mean. The Associated Press took a poll recently and determined that forty-two percent of people hear cursing and swearing in the public. Sixty-seven percent of those polled thought this is much more often that what they heard twenty years ago. More than thirty-six percent said they were bothered a lot when they heard the profanity in public.

The shift in language began in the 1960s. This was a time of new movements and a push for more individual freedom and equality. Language has become more casual. Our children hear this daily. Since we are the caretakers of our youth, I believe we should set a better example. I personally do not appreciate hearing foul language in everyday speech. There is a time and place for everything. I don’t believe in subjecting others to profanity.