Gender and Humor:
A Sociological Perspective
Jokes based on gender have different intentions. Similar to the ethic jokes of the past, humor based on gender brings attention to topics that need to be discussed. It also highlights conflict, differing ideas, and changes over time. The world of binary gender humor is best discussed in a way that considers both facets: jokes told by men and jokes told by women.
PHENOMENOLOGICAL APPROACHES According to the phenomenological approach, humor has a place in society as it brings attention to topics worthy of discussion. “Humor can be used to express the contradictory aspects of life” (Popescu 2010). Jokes also give the teller an opportunity to discuss topics that would otherwise be emotionally charged …show more content…
Women may bring attention to the issue by using humor to exaggerate it: “How many men does it take to change a roll of toilet paper? We don’t know; it has never happened!” Men reinforce stereotypical responsibilities of wives in the home with humor as well: “How do you fix a woman’s watch? You don’t, there’s a clock on the oven!” These jokes fit the phenomenological approach to humor because they bring attention to a relevant topic, the division of household labor, through humor. In this case, it’s especially true that men are able to use humor to reinforce the traditional female gender roles in the home.
CONFLICT THEORIES Conflict theories approach humor as an expression of conflict (Popescu 2010). The tension between men and women is obvious in some gender-centered jokes. There are existing conflicts between men and women, sometimes caused by their roles in social situations. One study noted that “Women [have] to ask more questions, fill more silences, and use more attention-getting beginnings in order to be heard” (West and Zimmerman 1987). This aspect of a female “doing gender” is sometimes represented in humor: “Did you hear they finally made a device that makes cars run 95% quieter? Yeah, it fits right over her mouth.”
INCONGRUITY
A Sociological Perspective
Jokes based on gender have different intentions. Similar to the ethic jokes of the past, humor based on gender brings attention to topics that need to be discussed. It also highlights conflict, differing ideas, and changes over time. The world of binary gender humor is best discussed in a way that considers both facets: jokes told by men and jokes told by women.
PHENOMENOLOGICAL APPROACHES According to the phenomenological approach, humor has a place in society as it brings attention to topics worthy of discussion. “Humor can be used to express the contradictory aspects of life” (Popescu 2010). Jokes also give the teller an opportunity to discuss topics that would otherwise be emotionally charged …show more content…
Women may bring attention to the issue by using humor to exaggerate it: “How many men does it take to change a roll of toilet paper? We don’t know; it has never happened!” Men reinforce stereotypical responsibilities of wives in the home with humor as well: “How do you fix a woman’s watch? You don’t, there’s a clock on the oven!” These jokes fit the phenomenological approach to humor because they bring attention to a relevant topic, the division of household labor, through humor. In this case, it’s especially true that men are able to use humor to reinforce the traditional female gender roles in the home.
CONFLICT THEORIES Conflict theories approach humor as an expression of conflict (Popescu 2010). The tension between men and women is obvious in some gender-centered jokes. There are existing conflicts between men and women, sometimes caused by their roles in social situations. One study noted that “Women [have] to ask more questions, fill more silences, and use more attention-getting beginnings in order to be heard” (West and Zimmerman 1987). This aspect of a female “doing gender” is sometimes represented in humor: “Did you hear they finally made a device that makes cars run 95% quieter? Yeah, it fits right over her mouth.”
INCONGRUITY