Well, it boils down to the puritanical way we raise children over here. We spend the first 6 months or so breastfeeding children, then immediately shun them away from it, as if they suddenly become perverse. As if their function hasn't remained the same since using them the first time.
As for swearing, no one knows where the word "***" even comes from, although there is speculation of its origins. And even then, the origin is so dated and underwhelming, it makes you wonder why that word is so sinister to begin with.
To me, there should be swear words, but I think "***" shouldn't be one of them. Neither should "***". I think the ones that should really be swear words are the ones whose sole job is to demean or demoralize another person by representing years of hate and derision. The "N" word is one. The "F" word is another (y'know, the one that means "cigarette" in England). Those words are horrid and should be stricken from the language. But "***"? Who the hell is that hurting?