A few years ago, I started swearing because my friends did and they sounded cool. I thought it was what cool kids do and started following them. Yet, nowadays, whenever I see myself blurting out a curse word, I feel disappointed in myself. This sense of disappointment and the recognition of immaturity had me trying to avoid cursing words. It would be a challenge to perfectly prevent any swearing words, but I will try. To not swear, to grow up.
— Zoe, Jeju
I curse to place a hard emphasis on my thoughts or reaction. Not only does it sort of make people listen closer, but it also is a reliever in a sense, to help me blow off steam about something that is likely working me up. When others curse, especially in public settings, I start to feel embarrassment if I know them. I don’t know how people have made it to the point where they believe it makes sense to say expletives in public areas, especially around children. To many, the word still holds value, and I agree that we should keep the same meaning and weight behind a word as it always has.
— Miles, Illinois
Others said, for a variety of reasons, they try to never swear at all.
I wholeheartedly believe “cursing culture” and cursing in general has gotten out of hand. When I tell people I don’t use profanity, they are often shocked or annoyed, which makes absolutely no sense to me. I believe that avoiding cursing allows me to express myself more creatively and effectively. There are countless ways to articulate frustration, excitement, or humor without resorting to profanity. This challenges me to expand my vocabulary and use language in ways that are both impactful and positive. I prefer to keep my speech eloquent and articulate. Ultimately, choosing not to curse helps me maintain a sense of control over my language and ensures that my words reflect the values I want to uphold.
— Lidya, Rosemount High School
I do not curse for many reasons, the main reason being my faith. In my religion, we are taught to be as righteous as we can, which includes being clean in multiple senses of the word. Because of this, I keep my language as clean as I can to emulate Jesus. While I don’t care if people curse (because of how common it has become), I don’t think it should be necessary to “express oneself.” This should be done by the way we do our makeup, act, dress, or the way we speak (not the words that come out of our mouth). Using obscene language just shouldn’t become a standard in today’s age to define someone. I agree that the increase in cursing is a sign of how casual people are becoming by not caring what they say to others and just letting their words flow. I’ve noticed this a lot over the past few years and even get mocked for not cursing sometimes (if I refuse to say a word or two in my theater class) or get told I am overreacting when I ask someone to calm down on their language. Overall, it is becoming an increasing issue (to me at least), yet I see no way of fixing it.
— Amelia, Cumberland Polytechnic High School
I never curse. I believe cursing — or more broadly, word choice — is a habit. And I just think that I don’t have that habit. Cursing definitely can be an issue. While it may be a way to express one’s emotions, everyone takes swearing differently, which can lead to misunderstandings. For example, I don’t really mind if someone curses at me in a friendly manner. However, others can take the curse seriously and feel hurt.
— Jeho, South Korea
