Story: I have got into several arguments with my children about the language they use. In particular, the argument was centered around the word "fuck".
My position is that fuck especially when used as an expletive has no place in speech and that I did not particularly enjoy hearing my kids use the word although I grant them that it is their right to choose their words and control their image in the world
What is wrong with the word ‘fuck’?
Fuck is a perfectly good word.
All my friends use the word
You can express many things with the way fuck is used.
Fucking is a beautiful thing.
I didn’t know you were so conservative.
I have the right to use the word like I want to.
The word is not offensive to normal people.When my children asked me why I did not like the word fuck and defended their use of it, I was unable to articulate my position clearly. This is an effort to clarify my own thoughts and to express them clearly. This podcast should answer these two questions:
Why I dislike my children using the word “fuck” frequently.
Why do I try not to use the word ‘fuck” and similar phrases, i.e., frigging
I do not mind an occasional use of the word, for instance, if a woman would ask me: Do you want to fuck? Or a strategic, “what the fuck?”
I think I object to it being used frequently, like 10 times in a five minutes conversation, and instead of choosing words that would carry more meaning and create a more positive mood.Here is my take on the use of words in general and on the word ‘fuck’
What do I want from the words I use:
I want to use words that convey my thoughts accurately and precisely
I want to use words that are not offensive to the listener
I want to free of negative connotations if possible.
I want words that set the mood for the conversation. If possible, I want my words to create a warm, loving, and thoughtful mood.
If I was able, I would like my words to sound like a well-crafted poem complete with wisdom and the appropriate atmosphere
In general, I believe I can almost always choose a word to convey my ideas better than the word "fuck".
Fuck has many meanings
Fuck sounds aggressive to me
It seldom is used for the beautiful idea of physical intercourse and may even cheapen the act
I think the word fuck is offensive to many and considered vulgar to some people. That does not mean I would never use it, but I do take others feelings into effect when I speak … so to use Fuck I would want to believe that its use was important to the message.
I can not think of many ideas that can best be expressed best by the word fuck.
I want to use words that convey gentleness, kindness, and empathy.
If I used the word “fuck” when a better word could be used by the criteria above, I would consider myself being intellectually lazy, possibly offensive, and potentially building a bad habit.
Finally, I believe as a white male if I use the word fuck to a female it could be construed as sexual harassment. I currently feel the public and the law would consider it harassment if the woman said it was; so, as an old white male I must be very careful with what I say to a woman and the words I use especially if there are any sexual connotations to the words chosen.
