Swearing as Social Bonding: A Case Study of Peer Friendships in Early Adulthood
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21009/ijlecr.v11i2.60899Keywords:
Swearing, Social Identity, Politeness Strategies, Language Style, Emotional ExpressionAbstract
The use of swear words among university students is often seen as negative behavior, but in certain contexts, it can serve to strengthen social relationships and show closeness between individuals. This study aims to analyze the role of swear words as markers of solidarity, closeness, and group identity in peer interactions. The study involved four early adults aged 20–22 years who are members of close friendship groups and employed a qualitative descriptive approach with thematic analysis. Data were collected through an open-ended questionnaire and analyzed to identify patterns of swear word use and the social meanings behind the swear words that appeared in daily conversations. The results show that all respondents feel comfortable and free to use swear words in their friendship groups, mainly as a way to create humor, show closeness, and express spontaneous feelings without causing conflict. The study also observed gender-based differences, where female students tend to face more social limits than male students in using swear words. Overall, the findings indicate that swearing functions as social glue that strengthens solidarity and group identity, rather than merely as verbal aggression. These insights enhance understanding of the social functions of taboo language in early adulthood and offer practical guidance for educational and communicative contexts, illustrating how awareness of social and cultural context can inform approaches to peer interaction and language use.
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