I grew up in a time where cursing was known as a “bad word.” I can count on my one hand how many times I have heard my Dad curse in my thirty-something years. I remember going to Virginia Beach one summer and they had these signs posted all throughout their strip. I admired it so much, I bought the pin and had it on whatever backpack I was using at the time.
Sure we all get frustrated when we bang our toe and drop the f-bomb. But this is different when it has become a part of an everyday conversation. You don’t have to say you have to go to the “f’n store” or “here is your s-it” there are other words to use and constant cursing isn’t one of them.
I remember hanging out with someone in college who used to curse all the time. It drove me crazy, the constant profanity really would kill my mood. Almost 20 years later, I’m getting that same vibe with what I see on social media. Instagram influencers who have an image of community outreach using memes with profanity to influencers who think they’re cool. Don’t they realize they are hurting themselves with this image? I mean, if I am following you to get information seeing the word “fuckology” on an Instagram post then its time to unfollow you. Especially if you are out to promote the local community. Nobody wants to see that.
When my 15-year-old comes to me and asks “Mom, can I curse?” and I have to explain to it can be offensive and it tarnishes your personal image. Then I question the world and what we are doing wrong that our children are asking to curse. This isn’t a sign of the times, but as we get older there are creative ways to express ourselves when we are upset. I also had to explain to my 15-year-old, the cursing is also a personal choice a lot of people chose not to curse, I am one of them.
Within a short period of time on Facebook, I counted over 50 posts this week from a range of different people that included profanity. Since the world is currently in a state of time out, maybe we need to have our mouths washed out too.