Dropping the “f-bomb” today will not necessarily get your mouth washed out with soap-in fact, it might be a good thing, according to Boston University faculty and students.
A recent survey conducted by the Associated Press and Ipsos Public Affairs found that 42 percent of Americans frequently hear profanity in public, while just 8 percent of those polled said they never come across swear words. The poll also reported that 67 percent of Americans believe the use of profanity has increased over the last two decades.
Although swearing is often considered socially taboo, BU psychology professor Catherine Harris said the use of profanity can be a healthy emotional release. She added that one must be careful where and when they use profanity or risk the consequences.
“Like all things, you want to be skilled about [swearing],” she said. “You must be aware of the environment and be careful of who is around you. It can be healthy because it makes you feel in charge, allows you to release emotions and it feels satisfying to get something out.”
Many people who use profanity in correspondence with rare feelings of shock, anger or pain gradually become desensitized, Harris said, adding that swearing becomes easier with frequency and can develop into a habit.
While English professor Bonnie Costello said she does not think swearing is the best way to release emotion, she does not think it defiles the English language.
“Shakespeare’s poetry is full of lively curses,” she said in an email.
Costello, who admits to occasional swearing, said she would like to see students explore alternative ways to express themselves.
“I would advise the prospective swearer to use his or her imagination,” she said.
School of Education freshman Michael DiSalvo said he is one of the very few people he knows who does not use profanity.
“I feel like [swear words] are powerful and should not be thrown around so easily,” he said. “Because they are extreme words they should only be used in extreme situations. The overuse of profanity diminishes the power of the word and removes what made it powerful to begin with.”
DiSalvo said he is not offended by profanity, nor does he lose respect for people who swear.
Costello said she thinks the use of profanity is now acceptable, particularly in a recent speech by Hillary Clinton (D-NY) in which she used the word “sucks” to support her claim. The AP also reported on an intense debate in the Senate that took place two years ago and featured the use of explicit profanity by Vice President Dick Cheney, what Costello said is further evidence that profanity is common among Americans.
College of Communication freshman Brendan Kelley, a close friend of DiSalvo, holds an opposing view on the use of profanity.
“Swear words are just words used for emphasis that people have made taboo,” he said. “If we only use swear words in extreme situations, then we increase the power of the words, making them worse. If we use them less, it increases the severity and offensiveness.”