minor derail, but I always wondered if these people assumed their kids rode to school with bus-provided earmuffs, were given plugs for recess, etc......
To be fair, I don't think he or my SiL think their kids will never hear swearing out in the world. My SiL was a teacher for many years, and she thought South Park was hysterical (when it was first on, at least), because "that's how the kids really talk when they think grown ups aren't listening."
But I think they're hoping that by setting a "good" example at home, they're creating kids who are at least mindful about their use of such words later in life. I dunno. I see their point and try to respect their wishes when around the kiddos (it's not like I'm someone who sprinkles everyday speech with F bombs, but I'm surprised at some of the lesser words that get round eyed stares, like "crap," or "hell"). Still, I grew up around grown ups who swore, and I try to be pretty mindful in my life as an adult. It's hard to spend any time out in the world without learning that there are people who swear like the proverbial drunken sailors, and people who are bothered by it, and it's easier for everyone if you tone it down in public space.
A book is different, however, as the use of profanity is part of characterization (and that all important character voice). It also is a way of conveying emotion. As others have said, bending over backwards to avoid its portrayal in situations where it would occur comes of as unnatural. I suppose it's down to the kinds of stories and characters one wants to write, however.
I do scratch my head some over the people who are
so sensitive about swearing (whether face to face or in a book) that anyone they hear dropping a cuss word ceases to exist as a good person. Or about those people who seem to think that swearing is something only low class, uneducated people do. Obviously, there are lots of very smart, educated, and decent people who swear/have sworn in their lives.
Such people do seem to have had very sheltered backgrounds, so some parents, at least,
have managed to fit their kids with those special cuss-proof earmuffs before they sent them off to school each day.
Or maybe they home schooled?