Today you can hear the F-word in movies, talk shows and various conversations around campus; however, just because something becomes more common, doesn’t mean it should be accepted.Not to sound like your parents, but if everyone else jumped off a bridge, would you do it too?

According to www.dictionary.com, the word means to “take advantage of, betray or cheat; victimize,” also used as a “signal of angry dismissal, to have sexual intercourse with,” or to “act wastefully or foolishly.”

Commonly used in conversation as an expression of anger, outbursts are more likely to raise tension and discomfort than prompt those around to aid you in your distress.

I would venture to say that most people who use the word in their daily conversations aren’t talking about taking advantage of, betraying, cheating or victimizing anyone, but are using it as slang to, move along the conversation?

Is it really so hard to put together proper sentences that you have to throw in cuss words to keep your train of thought going?

As the word becomes more widespread, it’s losing its shock value. The use of the word in reference to sex seems to have become more accepted as Hollywood uses it to dramatize its plots. Personally, I can’t think of a less romantic, more disrespectful way to refer to something that should be sacred and saved for your spouse.

If women are going to complain about men only wanting sex, accepting the F-word as a substitute only adds to the perception that sex is no big deal.

I’m not disillusioned enough to think that most people share my naive, hopeful views. The public isn’t innocent anymore.

There’s probably only a minute number of Americans who have not seen a movie with inappropriate language, and most have witnessed it first hand. That doesn’t mean it’s OK.

While I can name dozens of movies or magazines that prominently display the F-word, I can’t think of one professional setting where it’s accepted. If your boss came in and asked you what the F you were doing or told you about this F-ing awesome barbecue he and his wife threw this weekend, you would not only be appalled and taken aback, but your boss would have completely lost his level of authority and respect.

The F-word doesn’t need to be completely banned from society. That’s obviously not going to happen, nor is it necessary; but out of respect for others and awareness for what the word really means, can we all agree that it doesn’t need to be accepted into general vocabulary?

Our generation could gain more credibility by assimilating into the world rather than trying to change it to our own warped standards.