I understand the arguments against it. Some people say it's evidence of a limited vocabulary, however, that assumption is completely misconstrued. Part of getting a degree from the college of liberal arts is writing a lot (and I mean an agglomeration) of papers. Through this tedious practice, I've developed a sort of superfluous vocabulary. To say that my use of certain words is proof of my limited vocabulary is an assumption. Assumptions hardly ever speak of the assumed, but of the assuming. Seeing as how I cannot control that anyway, I might as well speak the way I see fit.
Some say that children/young teens learn these words from TV, movies, music, or our parents. I remember what I'm pretty sure was the first time I saw an R-rated movie. I was at a friend's house in the 5th grade. I don't remember the title of the movie, but I do remember there was an excess of guns, dark allies, and the word "fuck." Aside from the guilt I felt for watching something I knew I shouldn't have been, the constant detonation of the f-bomb made me uneasy. Recalling this, I realize that I may have been exposed to this (specific) language used in this way through a movie inappropriate for my age, but because of how it was used I had no desire to take up the habit. Throwing around the f-word so casually made it seem more obnoxious than anything else, as if the word had no actual meaning.
Fast-forward about four years, my MPAA film-rating abiding parents allowed me to join in the ritualistic viewing of Law & Order that I had been looking forward to for so long. It's a cable TV drama. They say damn, and they say shit. You see, there's a huge difference between the movie I watched in 5th grade and this TV drama. Where the aforementioned film used the f-word to promote some sort of bad-assery (that the movie itself couldn't obviously do for itself), the crime drama used it to enforce a point, to prove an emotion in a realistic and -if possible- a relatable way. It's important to note that by the time I was 14, I didn't learn any new words from Law & Order, but I like to think that the show helped to shape what I consider a healthy use of them.
I've found that another objection people have about such language is that it's offensive. I agree... kind of. I agree that there are situations when words like shit, damn, ass, etc are completely inappropriate! I would never use these words in the Sunday School classroom, during a job interview, at work, or when talking to certain people. You have to know your audience. Would I use such language when I'm by myself in my car if I'm upset? Yes. When I'm around certain friends? Yep. When I'm out with people at the bar? Most likely. I cannot stress it enough; you have to know your audience. If you can differentiate between when it's appropriate and when it's not; using this language shouldn't be a problem. However, if you're someone who tends to slip or sometimes speaks and then thinks, maybe it's best to say no.
At the end of the day, I use language to express emotion, whatever that emotion is.
Sorry Mom.
Thanks for reading!
-Em.