At what age is it appropiate to curse?

Question

as in, "bad words"

Answer 1

I started full time when I got in high school. I was 13 when I started the 9th grade.

Answer 2

I agree that some words that carry bad intentions are always inappropriate, such as racial slurs.

On the other hand, most of what we've determined to be "bad" words are really just emphatic words, and can be used to emphasize positive or negative statements. My friends and I, who would generally be considered "educated," (MBAs, a few PhDs, etc.) use these words rather freely. When I tell a friend that her presentation was "f***ing great," she is rarely bothered or offended by that positive sentiment. Similarly, if a pine cone falls on my head and I curse, I've not offended anybody or aimed an ill feeling toward anybody, with the possible exception of the pine cone.

I feel that people should be offended by negative sentiments, not by particular words. You can study semantics/semiotics to learn to separate words and symbols from the things that they represent.

However, most of society disagrees with me, so you should be careful not to use "bad words" in places where people can be offended by them -- work, certain social groups, etc. The safest thing is not to learn to use these words at all. On the other hand, I feel that full employment of slang, colloquialisms, and "bad words" makes the communication process richer.

You should also note that when words are used excessively, they lose their power of emphasis. Many American comedians, and many rappers, use bad words in every sentence. When they then try to employ them to emphasize a dramatic point, the effort fails, because the words have lost their power. British comedians seem to understand this better (not necessarily a useful generalization, but something I've noticed as an American fan of humor).

Answer 3

alli,

personally, i don't think any age is appropriate to be cursings. i'm 25 and i've honestly hardly ever cursed, even when i'd hang out with friends.

not that i don't think cursing is wrong, certain words fulfill a purpose. i just think that its too wide spread and really over used by people today.

curse words are supposed to express a feeling, i mean when you get mad or have your car rear ended or smash you toe i understand.. but just talking to a friend..

yeah man, i was like f*&^ this f(*^%^$#) candy taste like f(*%%#^*&)(* good... i mean like c'mon... what are you going to say if someone pushes you and makes you angry, no one will be able to tell that you're mad because every other word out of your mouth is f this and f that... it's actually kinda rediculous.

and don't get me started on cursing in public, i can't even take my son to the park because the teenagers kicking back on the bench are cursing up a storm...

so, personally i feel that you should know what you're saying before opening your mouth, a 9 year old doesn't really know what the f word really means, but nowadays, they'll say it anyway.

as far as age, i don't think that should really determine whether it's appropriate, i just think you should really think about it before opening your mouth.

and people PLEASE if you see an older person, or a young child around, try to be grown up about it and show some respect and zip the curse words, if you're going to talk like and "adult" you should act like one!

Answer 4

I don't think it's appropriate to curse at any age, at least by our culture's standards. I think what you're asking is, at what age can you curse and get away with it? It depends on demographics, where you're from, where you live, how your family functions around you, how people react to your cursing, what kind of job you do, etc.

Answer 5

I DO NOT THINK IT IS APPROPIATE AT ANY AGE TO CURSE. CURSING IS WAY TO RELEASE ANGER OR IF YOU ARE ANGRY AT SOMEONE ELSE. USING CURSE WORDS USUALLY ONLY WINDS UP HURTING SOMEONE ELSE FEELINGS ,NOT TO MENTION HOW YOU YOURSELF WOULD FEEL AFTER YOU SAY THOSE WORDS.LETS KEEP OUR WORDS CLEAN AND REMEMBER YOU DONT KNOW WHO ELSE MAY BE LISTENING.
HAVE A GOOD DAY.

Answer 6

Any time if you want to sound like you have no education. To let it slip once in a while is one thing but to plan to use the words... Get a dictionary and learn some new words-people will be more impressed!

Answer 7

NEVER! Some of us do it anyway, but it is a terrible habit, and pointless too. An intelligent mind can always say what needs to be said without cursing. (Some of us are just set in our ways.) If you can avoid this, do.

Answer 8

I think around 13,14. Now don't get me wrong I am a Mom of two children,BUT, I think it has to be up to the parent to decide when different behaviors are appropriate.

Answer 9

never. what's the point? they only hurt or offend people. people who curse are showing that they can't express them in any appropriate way and that their vocabulary is severely lacking.

:)

Answer 10

It is never appropriate to curse.