[forgottenpass]

I never understand the condescension towards swearing.

I accept it as a thing because the States can get so puritanical, but not swearing - other than in the presence of children - strikes me as one of those self-perpetuating norms that serve no real purpose other than proving you can conform to arbitrary norms. Similar to any other way of judging you on appearance like haircut, piercings, tattoos or dress.

Sure there is value in being able to navigate those and get the advantages they confer, but why actually care about it? Or am I being obtuse and you're just playing along and perpetuating them for their own sake?

[arsenerei]

Honest question: what's wrong with swearing in the presence of children? Is it an arbitrary norm, or is there a strong rationale behind it?

[forgottenpass]

For me, it's about deferring to the parent rather than having any actual objection to it. It's their job to decide how their child is introduced into the world. Including how swearing gets contextualized for them. It's a caveat to what I said only as far as its a courtesy to avoid going down the path of telling parents how to raise their kids (or putting their kids into an environment they'd object to). I'm not interested in stepping on that rat's nest, and I wouldn't be rushing to put my pre-teen in a cussy environment either. (The "for the children" censorship/restrictions is a different tangent I have things to say about too, but was trying to sidestep that because it diluted from the point in my previous post.)

[arsenerei]

I understand. Thanks. :)

[icebraining]

Swearing works best in moderation, with good timing. Children can't usually grasp such subtlety, they dilute its effects through overuse.

Many adults do too, but that can't be helped.

[arsenerei]

I accept your premise and I can believe children can't grasp that subtlety. I don't know of many adults who obey your premise, though.