When I worked the desk at the teen department of my library, our rule for teen spaces was that swearing was allowed, but absolutely no “people words.” Basically no noun swears referring to a person or group of people, even more common ones like the b-word (which I despise) because it’s still at its core denigrating a group of people. I really liked this rule and thought it fairly balanced the emotional safety of the group with freedom of expression.
I don’t swear often, but when I do, I never use “people words” either. I used to almost NEVER swear, but most of my friends swear regularly and I’ve picked up on it. I honestly think I’d prefer to swear less. Many of the words aren’t just words to me, as many of them have history and cultural meaning and implication that make me uneasy. I don’t feel that way about every single swear word though. For me it’s about the individual words and their connotations, not just the overall concept of swearing.
I don’t swear often, but when I do, I never use “people words” either. I used to almost NEVER swear, but most of my friends swear regularly and I’ve picked up on it. I honestly think I’d prefer to swear less. Many of the words aren’t just words to me, as many of them have history and cultural meaning and implication that make me uneasy. I don’t feel that way about every single swear word though. For me it’s about the individual words and their connotations, not just the overall concept of swearing.
