Where Has Decorum Gone? The Decline of Civility in Media and Government and Homes

It’s bad enough that profanity - especially the once-taboo “F” word - has become commonplace in today’s movies and streaming platforms. It shows up in nearly every genre, no longer reserved for moments of dramatic intensity but tossed around as everyday language. Whether we want to hear it or not, it's increasingly unavoidable. Thank God it has not yet crept into the theme park Industry…….I say yet.

But what’s worse and far more troubling is how this language is now mirrored in the speech of our nation’s leaders. From Presidents to Senators, profanity no longer hides behind closed doors. It makes its way into speeches, interviews, government committee meetings, and social media posts. What was once unthinkable is now routine. Has our sense of dignity truly eroded this far? Is there no shame, no restraint, no respect left in how we communicate - and in what we’re willing to let our children and grandchildren hear and be exposed to - especially from those entrusted with public leadership and influence in our entertainment community?

This isn’t just a matter of words. It reflects something deeper. In a culture where outrage gets attention and crudeness is mistaken for candor, civility has become an afterthought. Why??? We seem to have lost the understanding that how we speak influences how we think and how we treat one another. Profanity, once the exception, is now the norm, both on screen and on the Senate floor. And with that normalization comes a loss of respect, decorum, and empathy for one another no matter who they be!

To find our way back, we need more than policies or rules - we need responsibility. Leaders in every sphere must remember that their words carry weight. How they speak, not just what they say, sets the tone for the country. It’s not about being polished - it’s about being mindful. Language should be used to inform and inspire, not to inflame or incite. Our grandchildren are listening!

Source:  BBC.

Likewise, the media, particularly streaming platforms and film studios, must reassess the reflexive use of vulgarity. Creative freedom matters, but so does the message we send. Powerful storytelling doesn't require a wall of profanity to feel real. In fact, restraint often communicates more depth. To me it is how you say it, not always what you say, that creates shock and awe.

The tone of our civic discourse also needs to shift. The current environment rewards those who speak the loudest or the harshest, but that isn’t leadership - it’s performance. Respectful disagreement must become the standard again; it has obviously been misplaced. That shift starts with the people we choose to listen to and support - those who build bridges, not burn them. We can be powerful, commanding, and authoritative when necessary - and still be civil, respectful, courteous, and just plain polite.

This reparation and repair of civility in our world’s societies must begin immediately. We need to remind and demonstrate to young people not only how to write and speak, but how to communicate with respect and civility, while listening with empathy. These are not outdated values - we’ve simply lost touch with them. They’re essential life skills, and without them, society falters, as we continue to see daily.

Most importantly, change starts with each of us. We can no longer excuse or ignore the coarsening of public figures and life. We need to demand better - from our leaders, our media, and ourselves. If we continue down this path of spite and division, the damage may be irreversible. But if we choose a return to grace, dignity, and measured speech, we can start healing the tone of our culture.

Enough of the CNN and Fox vitriolic behavior. I do not care which party or media service you subscribe to. The nastiness has to stop - it is poisoning the wells of our youth. And for heaven’s sake, let’s not let it ever breach our theme park industry.

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