Its really quite simple.
Words have meaning. When a word is spoken that meaning is conveyed. Words fall into different categories because of what is conveyed when that word is used.
Many words have more than one use, and can be used and conveyed with different contexts. F word in and of itself doesn't mean anything negative.
There is also this thing called decency. There is also this concept of acting and speaking appropriately in certain situations.
This isn't an argument. You provide no reason why said words are not decent, again.
The concept of acting and speaking appropriately in certain situations is fine. I was never arguing against that. I've even said there are certainly situations where I will refrain from cursing as to not offend anyone, but this has nothing to do with the discussion. The discussion is "
should" these words offend people, not "Do" these words offend people.
Once upon a time sexual harassment was no big deal. It is now. Logical points were made against sexual harassment. Now it's not socially acceptable behavior. But maybe we shoulda just told chicks "Meh, that's just how it is, deal toots" while staring at her boobs.
So for example, when the family is gathered around the table for Thanksgiving and grandpa and grandma are there with some other family members I dont tell everyone at the table that last night I had the wife bent over the dining room table F****** the **** out of her. By most civilized standards of decency that would be inappropriate. Partly because of the content and for the choice of words.
Sure, but the F word being added doesn't change the inappropriateness of what was said. You could exchange the F word for the word Bang and it wouldn't be any less appropriate. Again, none of your arguments have anything to do with why bad words should be bad. All you are repeating is "I was taught they are bad and I don't think they are good, and people shouldn't say them because of that!"
Bad words are bad words because they are recognized to be such. Its just how it is. Its why you hear some old timers say "Pardon my French" or something similar. They're acknowledging that what they are saying is viewed by many/most to be "bad" but they are choosing to use the word/words to make a certain point.
"It's just how it is" again, is not an argument that would be accepted in any debate. Bad words are bad words and recognized as such because we are told such starting at a young age. The discussion is WHY SHOULD THEY BE CONSIDERED BAD, not whether or not they are considered bad. Yes, they are considered bad, no one is arguing against this. This discussion is about trying to find a logical reason WHY, beyond "cause I was taught that", which is what your "Pardon my French" by old timers example means. The old timers were taught that language is bad. They think they are doing something bad an apologize, nothing wrong with this, but it again has nothing to do with the discussion.
"It's just the way it is" can be applied to anything good or bad. Slavery was "just the way it is", Gay's not being able to get married is "Just the way it is", Weed being illegal was "just the way it is". Yet all these things change/progress via discussion, not by shrugging and saying "Meh that's just how it is, deal with it".
Now just because our standards of decency in society have declined in general does not mean that its any more right to use bad words at inappropriate times. It simply means we have not done a good enough job setting a good example for younger people. Nor have we done a good enough job of teaching the difference between right and wrong. This is evident in so many areas.
We have seen a real decline in society in:
-Manners
-Etiquette
-Consideration for others - just in how we treat others out in public
-Regard for how our actions and words affect others around us
-Morals
-Ethics
-Customer Service
-Honesty
-Integrity
-General character of individuals
-Work Ethic
-Regard for others personal property
The list could go on.
The reason my dad, and his dad told me things is because they understood those things and how we as people in a society living together should treat one another and act. Not simply because they heard it from their dad. Parents pass things along to their children and its the responsibility of the parent to train up and teach their children how to be decent people. Just because many parents havent done a good job doesnt mean the standard for decency has changed. Just because some brainwashed college prof encourages college kids to question everything they learned from their parents doesnt mean its a good thing. Decency will always be decency and indecency will always be indecency.
It all comes down to how you want to live and how you want to be viewed by others. Decency is always respected and admired. Indecency is only lauded by the indecent.
Even if I agree with some of the bold, it's all opinion without a logical argument behind it, But again, that's not what this thread is for. It's like saying "Bad words are bad, and here are other things that are bad to prove it." Ok.
Could we discuss why the words should be considered bad, and what harmful effects they have? I'm trying to discuss why, when everyone knows them, and most of them have no inherent negative meaning without context.
Context should mean everything, context is what should cause discomfort, and context is what should be considered bad/good/socially acceptable.
It's why certain "bad" words can be said on TV. They are bleeped if used in certain context, and not bleeped if used in others.
My argument is anyone who gets offended by me calling my female dog a B****, or referencing my A**, or taking a Sh**, is being silly and needs to stop. However, if I call your wife a B****, call you an A******, or call you a piece of S***, it's perfectly reasonable to take offense.
