Pondering profanity

I’ve been pondering the pros and cons of using profanity the past few days as my tweens use every opportunity to exclaim, “we just drove past the dam store”, and “did you know our neighbor has a new ass?”  There is an exhileration to technically obeying the rules of “no cuss words,”  while still SOUNDING like you’re saying them.   Being a more enlightened parent than my parents (aren’t we all , I’ve actually discussed the meaning of cuss words with my kids–basically three vulgar categories, poop-related, sex-related, and the body parts that pertain to poop and sex.  Well, there is the fourth category, the “profane” relating to God and his eternal judgments, which doesn’t have quite the “ew” factor for the kids.

I’ve told them that these culturally designated “taboo” words are considered shocking and offensive, and that if you have a good vocabulary, there is no need to use them.  But part of me acknowledges the unique power these words have, and I wonder why I care whether my children use them or not (as long as it’s not in front of the grandparents). 

I realize that with my upbringing, I will never be comfortable routinely swearing, but I’ve become less shocked and judgmental about those who do as I’ve aged and recognized that it is only my reaction that gives these words power.  Maybe I should be teaching my children that these words are to be reserved for the special occasions where they are particularly accurate, and where the decibal level needs to be higher than their tamer synonyms can convey.  Because I wonder if I do my children a disservice in teaching them to avoid offending people–I know from personal experience that sometimes it is right to challenge others, even if it does offend them. 

So, to swear, or not to swear–that is the question?