(A News and Sentinel Op-Ed - Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

In a previous column I wrote about profanity in scholastic sports. Likewise, all adolescents hear vulgar language at home, on TV, in the movies and music, during news broadcasts, and by so-called professionals in various occupations. No wonder our children think it’s okay to swear.

Those of us who were children of the “greatest generation” would have had our “butts” kicked if we cussed in front of our parents or in the school environment. It was truly taboo.

I am most concerned with contemporary professionals who are idolized by teenagers who think it’s “cool” to use expletive terms when being interviewed or making public speeches, especially entertainers and politicians.

What role models!

In reference to humor, some of the funniest past comics in the entertainment field did not have to resort to profanity to make people tearfully laugh. Names that come to mind are Rodney Dangerfield, Jonathan Winters, Tim Conway, Jackie Gleason, Jerry Lewis, and Lucile Ball, and more recently comics such as Jerry Seinfeld, Henry Cho, Anjelah Johnson, and Michael Junior.

Regarding the musical and acting world, it is a sad state of affairs that some talented singers have to resort to vulgar language in their lyrics. I believe it is unproductive and sends the wrong message to their youthful fans.

Likewise, a number of actors also consider it appropriate to use profanity when speaking in public. By the way, try to find a movie today where there’s NO foul language. It’s a challenge.

What can I say about today’s politicians? Where do I begin? In the past, members of both parties, who often vehemently disagreed, worked together to solve social and economic problems via compromise.

Allow me to share with you an endearing story of two former politicians. President Ronald Reagan, a republican, and Speaker of the House, Tip O’Neill, a democrat, disagreed on many issues of the day. When President Reagan was shot, Tip O’Neill visited him in the hospital. He prayed by President Reagan’s side and kissed him on the forehead before leaving.

Today, they shout at each other during congressional sessions. When speaking or being interviewed, they must think that using the F-bomb will promote their agenda, whatever that might be. The bottom line is that profanity produces no positive solutions to societal problems that need to be solved.

The opposing sides won’t even sit down and work together in a professional manner. Instead, they’d rather waste their time “cussing” and badmouthing their colleagues on the opposite side of the aisle. They’re like immature kids screaming at each other in the school playground.

Now get this. Some psychologists actually suggest that people who use foul language tend to be more honest and of higher intelligence (Source: Psychology Today).

Give me a break!

People who use such filthy vernacular are crude, inconsiderate of other people’s feelings and lack the ability to discuss matters in a professional and “intelligent” manner. How would you and your significant other like to dine with a couple who couldn’t complete a sentence without spicing it up with indecent terminology?

As for those psychologists who seem to think people who frequently use foul language in their conversations, keep in mind, it’s all theory or conjecture based on their individual viewpoint.

For example, consider the courtroom setting. The psychologist for the defense is saying just the opposite of what the psychologist for the prosecution is proposing.

Does that sound like an exact science? And it’s confusing, to say the least, for the jurors.

Ironically, the oldest science in human history is astrology involving the study of objects in the Universe that are farthest away from us. Whereas, psychology is the youngest science dealing with our minds — the thing closest to us. Psychology is still in its infancy stage and lacks the definitive empirical evidence that mathematics or the laws of physics possess.

In closing, I am by no means a perfect person. I have used profanity in moments of anger. But I strive to keep my verbal language congenial and free of unbecoming vulgarity. I believe that people who continually have to include obscenities when communicating with others either have a weak vocabulary or are just crass individuals by nature.

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Bill Welker, EdD, was a recipient of the “Jasper N. Deahl Alumni Award” from West Virginia University for his contributions to education. He is a freelance Op/Ed columnist who enjoys writing articles on sports, education, and any topic that piques his interest. He can be contacted at mattalkwv@hotmail.com.