We don't have freedom of speech?

Question

Why are we not allowed to cuss in certain places (school especially....and here on Yahoo Answers)? What's the difference between the word poop and the "s-word"? They mean the same thing, but people say the s-word is offensive. But what makes it offensive? Since we have freedom of speech we should be allowed to say anything we want, anywhere, under all situations. Do you agree or disagree?

Answer 1

There's a difference between legal action in freedom, and ownership. For example, if you're in my house, you're only in there under my permission. I can decide to revoke that permission for any reason, include cussing. It isn't about freedom of speech...it's about my right to my own property. You can cuss, but you'll have to do so on somebody else's yard.

This is just an example...I don't really care if people cuss in my house.

Similarly, Yahoo owns and maintains these forums. They can set rules governing its use. If you break rules pertaining to language that they set up, they can't pursue legal action, but they can ban you from further participation.

In a school, you could claim that the parents choose that school over potential competitors (such as private schools, charter schools, home schooling, or cyber schools) for certain reasons, such as the atmosphere. If the administration restricts cussing, that could, in theory, be more appealing to parents vis-a-vis a school without such a restriction. In this case, the administrators are charged with the day-to-day running the school by permission of either the elected school board or by the trustees that own the school, and thus have the right to pose such restrictions in their place.

As for what makes certain words offensive, despite other words with the same referrant, I have no idea. One thing, though, is for sure: people who take offensive at some of those words need to grow some thicker skin.

Answer 2

so true. the law is the law and people are allowed to say and do what they will within reason.

Answer 3

ya, I agree with you.