Cursing Freewrite #2

II. Compare the central claims in Achenbach's and Reilly's essays from Carolina Reader. Are they arguing from diametrically opposing perspectives? What, if anything, do they share in the message they are trying get across? How do they differ? Which perspective do you buy?

Achenbach and Reilly both argue for basically the same thing in their essays. Both want to see a reduction in cursing. Achenbach focuses his essay on the F-word, and how its many definitions have made it a popular choice among people in the spotlight, resulting in teeneagers using it excessively. Reilly focuses on cursing in general across a broader spectrum, but mostly uses college sporting events as his main support. Both are trying to get across the message that our society curses too much in many unneccessary circumstances, and something has to be done about it. Achenbach stresses teaching our children about the word and its importance, and when to and when not to use it properly. He considers using it to be a "reward of adulthood." Reilly praises Boston University for starting a no cursing policy at school athletic events and feels that other schools need to create this policy as well. While his article is trying more to be funny then to get a clear policy change across, he does say how "this world is ugly enough without turning on each other." Though they are similar perspectives, I buy more into Reilly's than Achenback's. I like the idea of limiting when you can and cannot say it with rules and guidelines than trying to educate our children when to use it. Though that might be a good idea I feel like no matter what they will inevitably use it due to the frequency they hear it in popular culture, so trying to limit it is better than trying to teach when it is appropriate to use it.