What is Puritanism

As taboo language among women and men becomes more common, an understanding of how taboo language is used is necessary. Unfortunately, studies have returned mixed results at once finding taboo language is associated with negative emotions while also finding taboo language is associated with positive emotions. What is understood, however, is the inequity between the genders in relation to taboo language usage. Taboo words and expressions are given weight by cultural norms that have long been established by the patriarchal standards in the United States. These standards trace their roots back to the Puritan and Victorian eras when society dictated that men held more power than women. This chapter explores the literature on taboo language while examining the dyadic representations of the patriarchal norms that punish women for using taboo speech while ignoring taboo language usage by men.