Are curse words still just as shocking to hear as they were 10 … 20 … 30 years ago?

As a matter of fact, have curse words actually become more used in society over the last few decades?

There are many positions to take into account over this debate.

Of course, curse words were not ideal in society a century ago. 

Up until the mid 1900s, our society had its attention drawn towards a reputation of class and elegance. Swearing was used, but it seemed to be more frowned upon by users.

Children would get their mouths washed out with soap.

People would receive dirty looks if they swore in public.

Nowadays, I don’t notice these reactions towards swearing seems to happen as much. For instance,

I’ll be walking around a store in the mall or a restaurant and I’ll hear a teenager drop a few f-bombs or insulting names.

A teenager is swearing in public and few people are phased by it. 

We live in an era where we find amusement watching a baby accidentally swear on a home video.

Some 12-year-old kids like to use these “bad words” to try to fit in. They think it’s cool to use these words. 

Teachers will swear in class because they know that we are mature enough to handle the words. 

Even our elders use them because they know we are already aware of how the words work. 

I find it fascinating how our society has managed to accept something so easily into our daily life without noticing.

My question is, where did this shift in what is or is not accepted in language begin?

Personally, I believe it started somewhere after World War II. 

People were readjusting to having their sons and husbands home from war. 

Women found more confidence from their abilities to take care of our country while the men were fighting.

Our citizens were trying to rebuild and get back on their feet from all the devastation caused from war. 

The rebuilding or reconstruction period for our country was a chance for new beginnings. 

New social structure, new style, new “norms.”

Our society was starting to become more laid back.

Greasers were starting to appear.

Girls wanted to show off more sex appeal.

For those of you who grew up in this era, you would know what the “cool” trends were or what was accepted in society.

This leads me to ask, do you think this time period is when swearing became more accepted?

Regardless of whether it started to change in that period or not, reminisce on your days as a teenager. 
 
Ask yourself, would our country be better off if teenagers grow up in a society with our use of swearing today?

OR…

Should we be living a lifestyle like you were where swearing was more limited?