The University of Mississippi Undergraduate Research Journal

Volume 3 Article 4

5-1-2019 The Gender Differences in Perceived Obscenity of Vulgar, Profane and Derogatory - Language Usage among U.S. University Students Jacqueline Knirnschild University of Mississippi, [email protected]

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Recommended Citation Knirnschild, Jacqueline (2019) "The Gender Differences in Perceived Obscenity of Vulgar, Profane and Derogatory - Language Usage among U.S. University Students," The University of Mississippi Undergraduate Research Journal: Vol. 3 , Article 4. Available at: https://egrove.olemiss.edu/umurjournal/vol3/iss1/4

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by eGrove. It has been accepted for inclusion in The nivU ersity of Mississippi Undergraduate Research Journal by an authorized editor of eGrove. For more information, please contact [email protected]. University of Mississippi Undergraduate Resarch Journal Social Science

Background scriptive derogatory terms, such as ‘whore’ and ‘slut,’ also refer to sexuality, whereas English-speaking men and women are in- male-descriptive derogatory terms, such as creasingly using vulgarity (explicit and offen- ‘dick’ and ‘douche,’ refer to character, which sive references to sex or bodily functions), suggests that female promiscuity is consid- profanity (“swear words”) and derogatory ered obscene. language (terms used to insult others) in a range of private and public settings. The Gender Differences in Perceived Obscenity Introduction Objective There has been a general increase in the of Vulgar, Profane and Derogatory - Language use of profanity (“swear words”) by English To examine gender differences in frequen- speakers in public and private settings Usage among U.S. University Students cy, acceptability and motivation of vulgarity, (IPSOS, 2006). A study of 1,001 adults Jacqueline Knirnschild profanity and derogatory language usage found that 74% frequently or occasionally Honors Candidate for B.A. English among U.S. university students. use profanity in public, and 67% are a lot or somewhat bothered by others’ profanity-us- Reviewed by Dr. Carrie Smith Methods age (IPSOS, 2006). In broadcasting media, Assistant Professor of Psychology 9 out of 10 programs contained at least one A perceptual survey of U.S. university stu- obscenity, and most television programs dents (n=409) and oral interviews (n=10) of contain risqué language approximately once Abstract U.S. university students is used to examine every five minutes (Kaye & Sapolsky, 2004, gender differences in frequency, acceptabil- 2009). And with the Access Hollywood With the Access Hollywood video of Donald Trump and the “This Pussy Fights Back” response ity and motivation of vulgarity and profanity tape of Donald Trump, debate has sparked by women, societal standards toward gender-specific language and appropriate conversation usage. over the acceptability of “locker-room talk” topics have become center-stage in our society. The concept that “boys will be boys” normal- (NY Times, 2016). In response to Trump’s ize vulgar conversations between men, whereas women who “swear like sailors” are seen by Results remark, “Grab ‘em by the pussy,” the rally society as unprofessional, to have bad manners, limited vocabulary and to be seeking attention cry of “This pussy grabs back” emerged or “trying to be like one of the boys”. Such stigmas, although aim to make the perspectives of While gender differences in the frequency for female rage and gained popularity at so-called “unladylike” women obsolete and invisible, may actually end up doing the complete and motivation of vulgarity and profanity us- the 2017 Women’s March (The Guardian, opposite by attracting more attention. That attention, however, often translates into shock; not age were small, all participants considered 2016). an actual understanding of her argument. On the flip side, when men use profanity or speak of instances of speakers using female-descrip- The role and implications of gen- vulgar topics, no one is outraged because it’s just “locker room talk”. tive derogatory terms to be much obscener der in profanity usage has been heavily than instances of speakers using male-de- researched (Johnson & Lewis, 2010). Men Through quantitative data acquired from surveying over 400 students, and qualitative data ac- scriptive derogatory terms. For example, a have been found to generally use stronger quired from interviews with ten students, this paper will examine the disparities between what woman calling another woman a ‘cunt’ was profanities and women to use milder ones is considered taboo discussion subjects and language for males and females. The perceptual considered 6x obscener than a man calling (Lakoff, 1973). According to Lakoff (1973), survey asked students to rate the level of obscenity of various words and phrases and whether another man an ‘asshole.’ there is a double standard in vulgar lan- such a level is affected by a male or female speaker. guage usage, with women being scrutinized Conclusions more. In the following decades, more re- searchers found support for Lakoff’s con- Perceptions that female-descriptive deroga- clusions (Rasmussen & Moley, 1986 and de tory terms are significantly obscener than Klerk 1991). Selnow (1985) also found that male-descriptive derogatory terms suggest females perceive profanity-usage as less that the English language represents a cul- appropriate in a range of settings, except in ture of misogyny and sexism. Female-de- mixed-gender interactions.

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However, as gender roles change, of male and female vulgarity, profanity and the obscenity of vulgarity, profanity and de- females’ profanity usage and perception are derogatory language usage. rogatory language-use in a range of con- Results changing as well – with less differences be- In regard to the obscenity of different texts. Participants were provided with two Data is rounded to 0 decimal points for simplicity. tween genders in perception of obscenity us- speaker contexts, it is expected that situa- sets of 12 situations, totaling to 24 situa- age (Johnson & Lewis, 2010). Even studies tions in which men use derogatory terms to tions. The first set of 12 include situations Figure 1: Percentages of males and females from over twenty years ago show that Amer- describe females will be perceived as the ob- with only male speakers. 5 of these male sit- who use profanity ican and South African women were using scenest. uations comprise of a male speaker using a derogatory language in increasing numbers In regard to gender differences of mo- derogatory and/or vulgar term to describe a and in frequencies equivalent to men (Risch tivations behind obscene-language usage, it female, 3 comprise of a male speaker using 1987, de Klerk 1992). Within an Irish pub was expected that the results would match a derogatory and/or vulgar term to describe community, little difference was found- be Stapleton’s (2003) findings, with females another male, and 4 comprise of a male tween the men and women’s “everyday” cursing in order to show intimacy/trust and speaker using profanity for other purposes, Figure 2: Percentages of males and females profanity usage (Stapleton, 2003). Stapleton males in order to fit into gender norms and such as anger and exclamation, not direct- who curse more around the same gender (2003), however, also found that men be- out of habit. It was also expected that both ed at another person. The second set of 12 lieved that certain profane words, especial- genders would curse more around their own include situations with only female speakers. ly words to describe female anatomy, are gender, and that “fag” and “cunt” would be 5 of these female situations comprise of a more acceptable for male speakers. Braun the most avoided words and that “fuck” female speaker using a derogatory and/or & Kitzinger (2001) also found that males are would be the most frequently used word. vulgar term to describe a male, 3 comprise Figure 3: Gender differences in reasons to able to list significantly more genitalia terms of a female speaker using a derogatory and/ curse (n=409) or vulgar term to describe another female, than females. Methods Using a large dataset of U.S. college and 4 comprise of a female speaker using students, this study will examine wheth- In this study, a Google Forms survey was profanity for other purposes, such as anger er there is evidence for a double standard used that recycled some questions from and exclamation, that is not directed at an- in the acceptability of vulgarity (explicit and Stapleton’s (2003) questionnaire. Partici- other person. A flaw in the survey was that offensive references to sex or bodily - func pants were selected through convenience the male and female situations were not tions), profanity (“swear words”) and deroga- sampling from the University of Mississippi counterbalanced. Participants responded to tory language (terms used to insult others) and Ohio State University in group messag- the 12 male speaker situations first and then usage. This study will also build upon pre- es, social media and class email lists. Partic- the 12 female situations. vious research regarding gender differences ipants were asked to “take part in a linguistic Participants were also asked, “are in the frequency and motivation of vulgarity, study on profanity.” Student participant re- certain curse words more acceptable for profanity and derogatory language usage. sponses totaled 409: 286 (70.1%) of which men than for women?” A flaw in the survey In addition, this study attempted to were female and 122 (29.9%) of which were was that participants were not asked if there explore how U.S. college students under- male. The grade levels of responders were are certain curse words that are more ac- stand “locker-room talk” and the resultant relatively even with 30.8% freshmen, 24.4% ceptable for women than for men. backlash against Trump’s comments in the sophomores, 18.6% juniors and 26.2% se- And finally, participants were given form of the “this pussy grabs back” rallying niors. 54.8% of responders were OSU stu- the option of doing a follow-up interview in cry. The survey, however, only include one dents and 45.2% were UM students. which they were asked to explain each of question on this topic, which is null because A copy of the survey is located in the their answers further. 69 (17.2%) of respon- it assumed that participants knew what the Appendix. Questions were all multiple choice, dents were interested in doing the one-on- phrase referred to. check-all-that-apply or fill-in-the-blank. Par- one interview, but ultimately only 10 ended It was expected that results would ticipants were asked why they curse, who up being interviewed: 4 males and 6 females. follow trends from previous research; with they curse in front of and the curse words In the 10 follow-up interviews, which took women who use vulgarity, profanity and de- that they refrain from using and the curse about 15-20 minutes, the participants were rogatory language to face more scrutiny, and word that they use most frequently. asked to elaborate on each of their survey with little difference between the frequencies Participants were also asked to judge answers.

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Figure 4: Male-speaker situations Figure 6: Female-speaker situations Figure 8: Male and Female Situations Com- Figure 10: Profane Words Used Most Fre- pared quently by Both Genders

Figure 9: Gender Differences in Situation’s Figure 11: Profane Words Used Most Obscenity Frequently by Males

Figure 5: Top six male-speaker situations con- Figure 7: Top six female situations considered sidered obscene obscene Figure 12: Profane Words Used Most Frequently by Females

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Figure 13: Gender Differences in top 10 most curse more around the same gender?” is situation as emotional abuse. One female is the obscenest, which shows that the vari- profane words problematic because if a respondent an- said it’s the most offensive because some- able of social setting has a strong impact on swers ‘no,’ it is unclear whether or not they one you care about is insulting you. A male perceptions of obscenity. In a follow-up in- curse more around the opposite gender or calling a female a slut in front of male and terview, a male said that he thought the “big because they curse equally in front of men female friends at the dining hall was the third cock” situation simply sounded “ridiculous” and women. More nuance could be add- most obscene male-speaker situation, once and didn’t think anyone would ever actual- ed to this question in a future survey. Data again, due to the public context of the situa- ly say that. Changing the word from “cock” represented in Figure 2 shows that males in tion. Ultimately, in this data set, the variable to “dick” might have altered the results be- the study are nearly twice as more likely to of social setting had the strongest impact on cause “cock” is less common in American curse around the same gender than females, perceptions of obscenity. vernacular. It would also be interesting to du- which actually goes against Stapleton’s find- Figure 4 shows that males and fe- plicate these phrases in a more private set- ings that women are more likely to use curs- males in this study were, for the most part, ting and examine obscenity perceptions to ing to show intimacy/trust with other women, in agreement about which male-speaker sit- isolate the words from the social setting. “A Figure 14: Percentages of males and females whereas men are not. The fact that only 32% uations are obscene. There were a few dif- female, during a lecture class, calling another who responded that certain curse words are of women said they curse more around other ferences, however, of 10% or more that are female a bitch” is the second most obscene, more acceptable for men than women females is surprising and greatly contradicts worth noting. A higher percentage of females once again due to the public context. A male Stapleton’s findings that females use - curs found “A male telling a group of males’ friends interviewee said, “that’s private stuff that you ing for solidarity purposes and intimacy. A in private that he’s ‘going to get pussy’ that should solve on your own, not bring to the few female interviewees said that the gender night” to be obscener than males did. A fol- lecture hall.” Despite the context, it was still wasn’t as important as comfort level. A flaw low-up interview with a female supported surprising to see a situation with the word Figure 15: Words Considered More Accept- in this data collection was the phrasing “to previous findings that men use more deroga- “bitch” so high on the obscenity chart be- able for Men than Women Comparison show intimacy/trust” because in a follow-up tory terms for both male and female genitals cause many interviewees felt that “bitch” has interview with a female, she said she had no than females (Braun & Kitzinger, 2001). She been reclaimed by women and is thus not as clue why someone would use profanity in said, “it’s more acceptable for a guy to call obscene as “whore” or “cunt.” If the context an “intimate” setting. She thought “intimacy/ our vagina a pussy.” A higher percentage were more informal, perhaps a female calling trust” meant sexual/romantic intimacy, which of males found “a male walking down the another female a bitch would not be consid- is not what was intended. It would have been street, tripping and exclaiming “fuck” loud ered quite as obscene. better to instead write, “to show comfort lev- enough for those around him to hear” to be Figure 6 shows that males and fe- el/trust.” obscener than females did. This is interest- males in this study were, for the most part, Figure 5 shows that there are no ma- ing because it may suggest that females are in agreement about which female-speaker jor differences between the genders in- re accustomed to hearing males curse in public situations are obscene, with the exception of gard to which male-speaker situations are and do not think it is a big deal – yet, males “a female saying she ‘has to take a piss’ in the obscenest. Everyone agreed, by a large still seem to feel this pressure to censor their front of her friend’s parents.” Males ranked Discussion majority, that “a male saying that a girl has language in public, especially around wom- “a female saying she ‘has to take a piss’ in big tits in front of his college professor” is en and authority figures, who could be walk- front of her friend’s parents” as the third most Figure 1 shows that the large majority, the obscenest. The qualitative data from the ing on a public sidewalk. A male interviewee obscene female situation, whereas females 94%, of students in this study use profan- follow-up interviews showed that the formal confirmed this supposition by saying, “You ranked it as the fifth. A female interviewee ity and both genders use profanity equal- context of the situation is a big issue: dis- have to be respectful in front of women and said that her parents would be a bit surprised ly and for similar reasons, which correlates cussing a female’s body parts in front of an parents.” if she said she had to take a piss, where- with previous research (Klerk, 1992). Males authority figure is perceived as immature and Figure 7 shows that there are no ma- as if her brother said it, they wouldn’t find and females in the study mainly reported us- unprofessional. A boyfriend calling his girl- jor differences between the genders in regard it unusual. “Taking a piss” is a male phrase, ing profanity for the same reasons: humor/ friend a whore was a close second in levels to which female-speaker situations are the she said, because it sounds very vulgar and story-telling, to create emphasis, anger/ten- of male-speaker situation obscenity. Inter- obscenest. Everyone agreed, by a large ma- masculine. This comment is interesting be- sion-release and habit (Figure 3). views showed that the directness of the in- jority, that “a female saying that a male has cause it suggests that vulgarity is associated The second survey question “do you sult is uncalled for; some even thought of the a big cock in front of his college professor” with masculinity. Males think a female say-

34 UMURJ | Volume III | Spring 2019 Knirnschild, Gender Differences 35 University of Mississippi Undergraduate Resarch Journal Social Science ing “take a piss” is obscener than female to scribe females are perceived as much more using derogatory terms to insult women is whereas “whore” and “cunt” are sexist be- female name-calling, whereas females think obscene than derogatory terms to describe extremely obscene. A male interviewee said, cause you’re reducing her to a sexual object. the opposite. This suggests female disdain males. Specifically, males describing females “you should treat women with more respect Another male said that a guy can insult a girl for insulting other females. A female inter- as a “cunt” is considered 5x obscener than than guys.” A female calling another female a in more severe ways than a girl can insult a viewee said that she doesn’t think a woman a woman describing a man as a “douche.” bitch is 1.5x as obscene as a male calling an- guy. A female interviewee said even if peo- should put down another woman in any sit- One female respondent actually left a com- other male a dick. Many of the interviewees ple were to use terms such as “manwhore,” uation. There were also a few more gender ment, which helps to explain these results: said that they thought “bitch” has been re- “womanizer” and “fuckboy” more frequently differences, of 10% or more that are worth claimed by females and is now on the same to describe male sexuality, “a guy wouldn’t noting. A higher percentage of females found “some of the ‘comparable’ ques- level as dick or asshole. Yet, the quantitative take it as seriously because the way society “a female telling a group of female friends in tions between males and females do results would suggest otherwise. According views the world, for guys it’s about conquests private that another girl is a cunt” to be ob- not have comparable curse words. to the data collected in this study, “bitch” but for girls the more they sleep around, the scene, which supports the notion presented Although the situation is the same, is becoming less obscene than “whore” or more they’re considered ‘used.’” in the female follow-up interviews that “cunt” “cunt” and “douche” are not com- “cunt,” which suggests that reclaiming the Figure 10 shows that “fuck” is the is the worst possible insult for a female. A parable curses. This could lead to a term is removing the stigma. One female most frequently-used word in the data-set, higher percentage of females found “a fe- problem of people comparing the se- interviewee, however, said that theoretically which may be due to its versatility since it male telling her female and male friends at verity of curse words instead of com- females could reclaim all of the derogatory can be used as noun, adjective and verb. the dining hall that a boy is a prick” to be ob- paring males and females. So, I sug- terms used to describe them, but consider- Figures 11 and 12 show that females use scene, which suggests male insensitivity to gest you revise accordingly.” ing the current social climate, another word “shit” more and “fuck” less than males. A fe- name-calling. A higher percentage of females will just pop up – or perhaps, another mean- male interviewee said she uses shit because found “a female at a party calling another girl Derogatory terms to describe males that are ing will come around. One male interviewee it’s “not as intense as fuck and it’s more so- a whore” to be obscene, which supports comparable to “cunt” and “whore” may not said the curse word he uses most frequent- cially acceptable.” Figure 13 shows that both the common notion presented in the female exist. One female interviewee said that “man- ly is “bitch” because he calls his guy friends genders reported avoiding using the term interviews that females “really don’t like the whore,” “fuckboy” and “womanizer” were bitches all of the time – he said he’s only ever “fag,” which suggests an aversion to insult- word ‘whore.’” The word ‘whore’ insults a the only terms she could think of that might called a girl a bitch maybe once. An example ing gay. people. “Cunt” is the second most female’s sexual activity, which many females even be remotely comparable; however, she of when he’d call his friend a bitch is if he avoided because as mentioned earlier, it is said is rude and not the same as saying said that they are still not as severe as “cunt” tells his guy friend to open a beer and then considered to be the obscenest curse word. ‘bitch’ or ‘asshole,’ which both insult the and “whore” because in society, it is more he doesn’t want to drink it. So, although, Figure 13 also shows that higher percentag- character of the person. More males found expected and normal for males to sleep females have, in a way, reclaimed the word es of females refrain from all words; especial- “a female walking down the street, tripping around. A woman calling another woman a “bitch,” a new meaning related to weakness ly, “cock,” “tits,” “prick,” “piss.” Also, more and exclaiming “fuck” loud enough for those cunt is also 6x obscener than a man calling may have developed. females avoid using the word “pussy” than around her to hear” to be obscene, which another man an asshole. Such a contrast The qualitative data supported quan- males, supporting previous research that may suggest that these males subscribe to between “cunt” and “asshole” reinforces the titative findings that female-descriptive- de males feel it is more acceptable for males traditional ideals of a “ladylike” woman. severity of the word “cunt.” A female inter- rogatory terms are obscener than male-de- to use profane words that describe female The gender differences in the - per viewee said “cunt” devalues a person to just scriptive derogatory terms. A female said, body parts than females (Stapleton, 2003). ceived obscenity of similar situations in which their genitals. A boyfriend calling his girlfriend “dick is more of a joke and it’s in the context Figure 14 shows that the majority of partici- the speaker’s gender is isolated is shown in a whore is 3x obscener than a girlfriend of a jerk but whore is sexually explicit.” An- pants did not think certain curse words were Figures 8 and 9. Each situation has similar calling a boyfriend an asshole. This shows other female said, “Some words are not just more acceptable for men than women which social contexts and similar derogatory, and/ that derogatory terms for females shame meant to express anger/discontent, some is not what was hypothesized. This finding, or vulgar/profane used, but the gender of the her sexual choices, not her actual charac- are meant to devalue her as a person and however, may hint at progress toward gen- speaker is inversed, which shows significant ter. Men calling woman a slut is 3x obscener that is why they are worse – you’re not just der equality in profanity and vulgarity usage. disparities in perceived obscenity. Figure 8 than a woman calling a man prick. A female pissed off at her, you’re attempting to deval- Males considered “fuck” far more accept- and 9 show that regardless of the speaker’s calling another female a whore is almost 6x ue her as a person.” One male said he didn’t able while females considered “piss,” “slut” gender, using derogatory terms to describe obscener than a man calling another man even learn the word “cunt” until 2 or 3 years and “whore” more acceptable. The fact that females is, by far, considered the obscenest a dick. These results may suggest that it is ago. A male interviewee said calling a female males think it’s more acceptable for males form of profanity. Derogatory terms to de- important to respect women and therefore a “bitch” simply means you don’t like her, to say “fuck” may suggest that cursing is

36 UMURJ | Volume III | Spring 2019 Knirnschild, Gender Differences 37 University of Mississippi Undergraduate Resarch Journal Social Science an expression of toughness and masculin- deeper question: are sexual choices insepa- References ity. Females thought it is more acceptable rable from character? People often said that for males to say “pussy,” “slut” and “whore,” “bitch” and “asshole” are used when angry Braun, Virginia & Kitzinger, Celia (2001). “‘Snatch,’ ‘Hole,’ or ‘Honey-pot’? which supports previous research (Staple- at someone for an action, which represents Semantic categories and the problem of nonspecificity in female genitalia ton, 2003). their character, and is not as obscene as slang.” The Journal of Sex Research 38:02: 146-158 words like “whore” and “cunt,” which are De Klerk, Vivian (1991). “Expletives: Men only?” Communication Monographs 58.02: 156- Conclusion used to describe sexual choices. 169. To improve this study, examples of De Klerk, Vivian (1992). “How Taboo Are Taboo Words for Girls? Language in Society 21.02: This study found that male and female each reason to curse could have been in- 277. perceptions of vulgarity and obscenity are cluded, as Stapleton did in her survey. This IPSOS Public Affairs (2006). “The Associated Press Profanity Study.” not as different as expected. The U.S. col- would avoid confusion over the “intimacy/ Johnson, Danette Ifert & Lewis Nicole (2010). “Perceptions of Swearing in the Work Setting: lege students in the study largely agreed trust” reason. The situational descriptions An Expectancy Violations Theory Perspective.” Communication Reports 23.02: 106- upon reasons to curse, levels of obscenity should have also remained exactly constant 118. of various situations, the most frequently – there were times when the identifier “girl” Kaye, Barbara and Sapolsky, Barry (2009). “Taboo or not Taboo? That is the Question: used curse word, curse words to refrain from was used instead of “female.” The question Offensive Language on Prime-Time Broadcast and Cable Programming. Journal of using and the fact that there are not curse “do you curse more around the same gen- Broadcasting & Electronic Media 53.01: 22-37. words that are more acceptable for men der?” was also problematic because if a re- Kaye, Barbara & Sapolsky, Barry (2004). “Offensive Language in Prime-Time Television: Four than women. Males and females in this study spondent answers ‘no,’ it is unclear whether Years After Television Age and Content Ratings.” Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic have similar perceptions of what is obscene or not they curse more around the opposite Media 48.04: 554-569. and what is not – the only major difference is gender or because they curse equally in front Lakoff, Robin (1973). “Language and Women’s Place.” Language in Society 2: 45-80. that 19% more females than males thought of men and women. More nuance could be Pennington, Bill (2016). “What Exactly Is ‘Locker-Room Talk’? Let an Expert Explain.” New a female calling another female a whore was added to this question in a future survey. The York Times. obscene. Perhaps, this suggests that since male-speaker and female-speaker situations Puglise, Nicole (2016). “‘Pussy grabs back’ becomes rallying cry for female rage against males are not frequently referred to as whore also could have been counter-balanced so Trump.” The Guardian. or cunt, they are not as familiar with the deg- that participants would not have any test-bi- Rasmussen, Jeffrey & Moely, Barbara (1986). “Impression formation as a function of the sex radation of these derogatory terms as fe- as. role appropriateness of linguistic behavior.” Sex Roles 14.3/4: 149-161. males are. Future studies could seek to isolate Risch, Barbara (1987). “Women’s Derogatory Terms for Men: That’s Right, ‘dirty’ words. The most significant finding was the specific curse word from the social (pub- Language in Society 16.03: 353 the contrast between perceived obsceni- lic or private) context. It is difficult to know Selnow, Gary (1985). “Sex differences in uses and perceptions of profanity.” Sex Roles ty of female-descriptive derogatory terms if respondents were making their decisions 12.3/4: 303-312. and male-descriptive derogatory terms. based on the social context or actual curse Stapleton, Karyn (2003). “Gender and Swearing: A Community Practice.” Women and Lan- When situations were duplicated with iden- word; however, it is also essentially impossi- guage 26.02: 22-33. tical social contexts and similar derogatory ble to get rid of the context because it is too terms used, situation in which the speaker open-ended to ask if “a female saying fuck” was calling another female a name were al- is obscene or not. One male interviewee said ways considered obscener. For example, a that he never takes profanity to an extreme woman calling another woman a “cunt” was level where he actually has to monitor him- found to be 6x obscener than a man calling self, except when drunk. Perhaps adding the another man an “asshole.” Qualitative data variable of alcohol could produce differing also supported the notion that male-descrip- results, because intoxicated speech is less tive derogatory terms equally as obscene to inhibited. “whore” and “cunt” do not exist in the En- glish language. The severity of “whore” and “cunt” suggest the negative stigma attached Stapleton, Karyn (2003). “Gender and Swearing: A f the survey is located in the Appendix. to female promiscuity. This finding presents a

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Appendix - To shock others (Q11) Check which situations are obscene. * friends at the dining hall that a boy is a prick (Q7) Do you curse more around people of the - A Male telling his male friend in pri- - A female at a party calling another Profanity Survey Script same gender as yourself? * vate that a female they know is a cunt girl a whore - Yes - A male telling a group of male friends - A female, during a lecture class with This is research for my presentation at the - No that a male they know is an asshole 50+ students, audibly calling another Sarah ISOM Center’s 17th Annual Gender - A male telling his girlfriend in private female a bitch Conference. (Q8) Is the phrase “This Pussy Grabs Back” that she’s a whore - A female saying that a male has a *Required obscene? * - A male telling a group of male friends big cock in front of her college pro- - Yes in private that he’s “going to get pussy” fessor (Q1) Are you male or female? * - No that night - A female saying she “has to take a - Male - A male telling his male and female piss” in front of her friend’s parents - Female (Q9) Are there any curse words you try to re- friends at the dining hall that a girl is - A female saying “hell” in front of her frain from using? (check all that apply and if a slut parents you refrain from words not on the list, please - A male at a party telling another male - A female walking down the street, (Q2) What grade are you in? * write in the last option) that he’s a dick tripping and exclaiming “fuck” loud - Freshman - Shit - A male, during a lecture class with enough for those around her to hear - Sophomore - Fuck 50+ students, audibly call another - A female saying “crap” in front of - Junior - Damn male a douche the university chancellor - Senior - Bitch - A male saying that a girl has big tits - Crap in front of his college professor (Q13) Are certain curse words more accept- (Q3) Where do you go to college? * - Piss - A male saying he has to “take a piss” able for men than for women? - University of Mississippi - Dick in front of his friend’s parents - Yes - Ohio State University - Cock - A male saying “hell” in front of his - No - Pussy parents (Q4) What is your hometown? (please write - Asshole - A male walking down the street, (Q14) If you answered yes to the last city and state) * - Fag tripping and exclaiming “fuck” loud question, which words are more acceptable? ______- Bastard enough for those around him to hear ______- Slut - A male saying “crap” in front of your ______- Douche university’s chancellor (Q5) Do you use profanity? * - Cunt - Yes - Whore (Q12) Check which situations are obscene. (Q15) Would you be interested in doing a - No - Tits more in-depth one-on-one interview? -Ass - A female telling her female friend - Yes (Q6) If answered yes to last question, why do - Hell in private that male they know is a - No you curse? (select all reasons that apply to - Prick douche you) - Other: ______- A female telling her boyfriend in (Q16) If you answered yes to the last ques- - Humor/story-telling private that he’s an asshole tion, what is your e-mail address? - To create emphasis (Q10) Which curse word do you use most - A female telling a group of female ______- Anger/Tension-release frequently? (If you don’t curse, leave blank) friends in private that she’s “going to ______- Habit ______get dick” that night - It’s normal/expected in college ______- A female telling a group of female - To show intimacy/trust friends in private that another girl a - To cover fear/vulnerability cunt - Part of personality - A female telling her female and male

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