Profanity and You: Exploring the Acceptability of Swearing in Today's Culture

Location

CSU

Student's Major

Communication Studies

Student's College

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Mentor's Name

Lisa Perry

Mentor's Department

Communication Studies

Mentor's College

Arts and Humanities

Description

In 1972, a list was created; George Carlin's list of "Seven Dirty Words You Can't Say on Television". Part of the humor in Carlin's performance arose from the nature of censorship and the shock of obscenity in a public venue. The overall shock value of swearing has depleted as most swear words have become acceptable and commonplace. The Toronto Sun of March 20,2002 reported; "During four weeks of viewing one prime time hour in 1989, the Parents Television Council counted 108 uses of hell and damn. By 1999 there were 518." This is a minor example of the rise of profanity in one form of communication—the media. Through the use of humor, this research project will look at why swearing has become so acceptable in American society and the repercussions this poses.

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Profanity and You: Exploring the Acceptability of Swearing in Today's Culture

CSU

In 1972, a list was created; George Carlin's list of "Seven Dirty Words You Can't Say on Television". Part of the humor in Carlin's performance arose from the nature of censorship and the shock of obscenity in a public venue. The overall shock value of swearing has depleted as most swear words have become acceptable and commonplace. The Toronto Sun of March 20,2002 reported; "During four weeks of viewing one prime time hour in 1989, the Parents Television Council counted 108 uses of hell and damn. By 1999 there were 518." This is a minor example of the rise of profanity in one form of communication—the media. Through the use of humor, this research project will look at why swearing has become so acceptable in American society and the repercussions this poses.