Walk down the halls of almost any school, and one is bound to hear it: the casual curse word slipping out of students’ mouths and into conversations as if it’s no big deal. For many students, the idea of dropping a few curse words here and there, as natural as saying a simple greeting, has become much like a normal routine for them. What used to be considered rebellious and shocking now feels to be a normal part of everyday conversations; it is as though it has been accustomed into the cortex of our brains.
Of course, the rise of normalcy of such profanity didn’t come out of nowhere, but rather it’s mixed in with bigger influences: unrestricted social media platforms, music and TV shows, and standardized norms that let society allow profanity as society’s norms. For students on campus especially, swearing could seem to be a tool for frustration, humor, or to fit in.
“I know that a lot of people around me, people I know and don’t know, tend to curse a lot,” Jessie Lyu (9) said. “It feels normal to hear it.”
Though the words itself may be foul, there’s some positivity that comes out of it as well. By swearing, regulating emotions could be easier and you could have closer relationships with friends. In fact, it increases your pain tolerance as it can serve a “flight-or-fight” response or be an overall distraction.
Just because something is common doesn’t mean it’s harmless. The overuse of profanity in general has consequences, not just in schools, but in society as a whole. Though there are different roots of reasons why people use this method of reprieve, the consequences are similar. There are endless repercussions for the behavior, with effects including personality disorders and an overall reduced sense of professionalism. This could break down respect between students and teachers, their parents, and even their friends–creating a much more hostile environment, even when they don’t mean to on purpose.
“I think we need to bring morals back into the classroom,” English 9 Honors and AP Research teacher Mrs. Kimberly Barreras said. “[Students] think it’s okay to do it because there’s no moral boundary, and the lines [of respect] are starting to blur.”
Diving deeper into the unintentional idea, many people don’t necessarily intend to be disrespectful when they swear. In fact, for some, it’s almost like background noise–filler words when emotions are high or adrenaline-filled thoughts spilled out. As profanity seems to become more and more accepted into society, one may question what schools could do to avoid it.
This doesn’t mean silencing students or forcing everyone to speak like a robot. It means recognizing that different situations call for different behavior. Just like someone wouldn’t show up to a job interview in pajamas, you shouldn’t walk into a classroom and start swearing casually. Part of the overall idea of growing up is to learn how to read the room, control impulses, and choose words that fit the setting. Schools should be places where students practice these skills, not where bad habits are ignored or punished without explanation.
“I think it’s important to be able to talk maturely, conversationally and professionally. We’re getting older, and we need to adapt new habits,” Sophia Horan (9) said.
It’s also important for students to realize that their words are powerful by themselves, even if students don’t unintentionally mean the actual extremity that the words connote to. Words could lift people up, tear them down, inspire, or cause harm; a single word can change someone drastically. Choosing to use profanity thoughtfully–or deciding not to use it all in certain spaces–could rub off on one person and the cycle continues. Words have weight, and they’re not only used for expressing oneself, but should be a tool for leadership, connection, and impact.
“It has to do with the teacher to set those boundaries with the students,” Barreras said. “Set that culture that you’re still on a school campus.”
At the end of the day, it’s impossible to remove swearing from schools, or society itself. Times are changing, and so are the social expectations and norms. In the changing world, the younger generations of students are stuck right in the middle of it. Instead of treating swearing as a rule to enforce, allow it to be a lesson–never silence them, but rather teach them instead.
