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“A Helluva Read”: Profanity in Adolescent Literature
- DOI:
- 10.1080/15205436.2011.638431
pages 360-383
- Published online: 04 May 2012
Abstract
Although the use of profanity has been examined in a number of types of media, to our knowledge profanity has not been examined in adolescent literature. Thus, the frequency and portrayal of profanity was coded in 40 bestselling adolescent novels. Results revealed that some novels did not contain a single instance of profanity, whereas others contained hundreds of often very strong profanity. When profanity was used, characters were likely to be young, rich, attractive, and of pronounced social status. Novels directed at older adolescents contained much more profanity. However, age guidance or content warnings are not found on the books themselves. Discussion is provided regarding the implications of the findings and the appropriateness of including content warnings in adolescent literature.
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- Published online: 04 May 2012
Author affiliations
- a School of Family Life , Brigham Young University
- b Department of Communications , Brigham Young University
Author notes
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