"You kiss your mother with that mouth?" I sure hope not.

Walking around campus, or anywhere really, it is apparent that profanity has become a large part of the average teenager’s vocabulary. You can’t go two seconds without hearing the "F bomb" get dropped multiple times. Most kids get into the habit because it’s "bad" and therefore, "cool". They ironically think they sound older, but really they just sound uneducated and obnoxious. I’m sure they don’t even know what half of the words they’re shouting at everyone really mean.

The constant use of swear words is a sign of immaturity and shows that you have a weak control over your language. When it is used in an argument, you end up not getting your point across at all. If you are trying to argue with or offend someone, when you repeat the same swear words over and over again, they begin to lose their meaning and have no effect at all. Though, don’t worry, there is a beautiful thing called a thesaurus that will gladly help you expand your vocabulary.

There are plenty of alternatives out there for the F-word and other favorites. If you don’t feel comfortable with "golly!" or "dagnabbit!" it won’t hurt to simply omit those words entirely from your speech.Swearing isn’t only annoying, it is also a sign of disrespect. Whenever I hear students swearing at or even around a teacher or anyone older than them, I feel embarrassed for that person and for my generation. I would never dare whisper a curse word anywhere near my parents or superiors, not because I fear punishment, but because I respect them. It’s a matter of decency.

I am of course guilty of saying my share of curse words, as is everyone else; I mean we’re all human. I don’t deem dirty language "sinful" or immoral," just distasteful. It is no big deal if people say them in just once in a while, but when it’s used to offend someone or just to get someone’s approval, it is entirely unnecessary and stupid. Whenever I hear someone talking like that, I instantly lose all interest in having any sort of contact with them. Kids, I’m sorry to crush your confidence, but you really do not sound as funny or clever as the characters in your favorite rated-R films. So this can just end right now.

Studies have shown that swearing does help lower stress levels. I understand most students can’t always control their teenage angst and swearing may help alleviate that, but if it is abused, its therapeutic value is lost. Again, deeming profanity useless.By all means, say whatever you want, under the first amendment you’re allowed to, but take caution to what you are saying and to whom and be respectful.