Celest+Walpanheim

__When Humor Loses Its Humor__

“What do you tell a woman with two black eyes? Nothing, somebody already told her twice.” Sexist jokes such as this are far too common in today’s society. This type of humor plays on unfounded stereotypes and perceived gender roles, generally pinning women as helpless, mindless slaves that must be told what to do. Not only is this particular brand of humor not humorous, it is harmful to society. This paper explores the effect that degrading sexist humor has on both individuals, as well as society as a whole.

Humor is, by definition, supposed to be funny. While everyone does have his or her own sense of humor, most people would generally agree that something is not funny if it has negative effects. While sexist humor has several negative effects, one of the most significant, if not the most significant effect, is on the subconscious of a person hearing a sexist joke. Primarily, in order for a person to find something funny, they have to agree with the ideas behind the jokes (Cohen, 2005). A person, therefore comma either started out with sexist beliefs, or the ideas behind sexist jokes integrated themselves into a person’s mind to the point where this person started to find sexist humor funny (Smuts, 2010). Studies have even proven that after hearing sexist jokes men were less likely to support women. For example, after hearing sexist jokes, some men were less likely to donate to a womens organization than they were before (//Study//). One psychologist even said, “Sexist humor is not simply benign amusement. It can affect mens perceptions of their immediate social surroundings and allow them to feel comfortable with behavioral expressions of sexism without the fear of disapproval of their peers” ( //Sexist// ). Essentially what is happening is that through these jokes, people internalize the sentiments behind them. This internalization of sexist sentiments has extremely negative implications for our society.

Aside from the subconscious, sexist humor can play a big role in enforcing gender roles. One of the leading psychologists in the field of sexist humor, Thomas Ford, has even said that sexist humor can be a way for people to express these prejudices and even make these prejudices “socially acceptable” ( //Sexist// ). When prejudices against women are made socially acceptable, it makes it seem as though perceived stereotypes of women are true. These jokes make it appear as though there are definitive gender roles in society. It seems as though the only job of women must fulfill their role ( Diekman, 2010). Studies have further proved that the more these types of jokes are made, the more negatively perceived are the groups about which the jokes were made (Warner & Robinson, 2008). Sometimes men not only hold the belief that there are specific, defined, gender roles and that women are inferior to men, at times they disseminate this belief to others. This is not only wrong, it can be illegal. For example, in one case a boss sent out “dumb blond jokes” is  an e-mail to his employees. This can obviously be offensive to blond women, but it is also against the law. One such blond woman is now suing her (former) boss for around $7 million ( McGinn, 2009 ). It is apparent that sexist jokes can not only have a negative effect on subject of the jokes, but on the teller of the joke as well.

The fact that the media portrays an almost unattainable standard of what it means to be “beautiful” is no secret. Everyday women are bombarded with images that make them feel as though they should look a certain way. The sad truth is that many women do not realize that the media and our culture in general, do not represent women in a realistic manner. One study showed that if the Barbie Doll were a real person, she would not be able to support her own body weight (The Media Awareness Network, 2010). Despite this fact, almost every little girl owns a Barbie. This is the image of a woman that girls grow up with. It is no wonder that studies report that almost 80% of women are unhappy with the way they look (Dissatisfaction with Our Bodies and Eating Disorders). The effects of these facts are devastatingly obvious. Eating disorders are rampant among females today. Girls are becoming increasingly self-conscious at younger ages. Obviously the portrayal of women is having a profound impact on the mentality of females everywhere (Dissatisfaction with Our Bodies and Eating Disorders).

Despite everything that is known about the portrayal of women in the media and in society, many people fail to see how degrading humor is contributing to this issue. As discussed above, the sentiments behind sexist humor are often internalized. Jokes about girls being fat or having a body that is not considered to be the ideal (which most women do not) are no laughing matter. The internalization of attitudes reflected in these jokes can lead to warped body image. While it seems extreme to attribute eating disorders and other problems to jokes, it is a disturbing reality that this could happen. One joke about a girl being fat probably is not going to cause someone to start throwing up everything she eats; it is part of a process. If a girl that is already conscious of her body sees images of emaciated women depicted as the ideal, and on top of that hears a joke about a girl she perceives as skinnier than her being fat, it takes an incredibly strong person not to internalize some of that. Eventually, this internalization could cause more serious issues.

Aside from body image, sexist humor can have additional disturbing effects. As the “joke” in the introduction demonstrates, sexist humor sometimes makes light of the issue of abuse. Domestic violence and abuse of all kinds are very serious issues. Often times, women in abusive relationships do not know when or how to get out. It is chillingly disturbing that these jokes make it seem as though women have a “place” and that place is to be subservient to men. It almost gives off the impression that it is okay for a man to abuse a woman that he “loves” (Baly, A. R., 2010).

This all goes back to the internalization of the concepts behind the jokes. This is a huge problem. As bad as it is for women to be psychologically impaired by sexist humor, jokes about domestic violence is essentially take the problem to an entirely new level. At this point, these jokes can lead women to stay in an abusive home where they are unhappy and their lives could be in danger. When evaluating humor that relies on degradation for its comedic effect, it is easy to see why sexist humor is so wrong. The negative social impacts of this humor can lead to discrimination and even violence. In the year 2010, ninety years after women have gotten the right to vote, at a time in which more women are going to college and graduate school than ever; American society has undergone substantial changes from the antiquated beliefs of the past. Still, this awful form of humor still manages to surface in our daily lives. We have to focus on changing sexist humor and other root causes of the problems caused by sexism if we ever completely want to eliminate the problems. - = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Bibliography =

Baly, A. R. (2010). Leaving Abusive Relationships: Constructions of Self and Situation by Abused Women. //Journal of Interpersonal Violence//, //25//(12), 2297-2315. -This article was helpful with information on mentality and leaving/staying in an abusive relationship.

Cohen, A., & Wellman, C. (2005). //Contemporary debates in applied ethics.// Malden: Wiley-Blackwell.

Diekman, A., & Schneider, M. (2010). A SOCIAL ROLE THEORY PERSPECTIVE ON GENDER GAPS IN POLITICAL ATTITUDES Social Role Theory. //Psychology of Women Quarterly//, //34//(4), 486-497. //-//This article didn’t prove to be too helpful. It is just a discussion on social contruction of gender roles.

//Dissatisfaction with Our Bodies and Eating Disorders.// (n.d.). Retrieved November 1, 2010, from The Ideal Female Body Image: How American Culture Influences Obesity, Dieting, Dissatisfaction with Body Image, and Eating Disorders.: [|http://www.d.umn.edu/~jvaleri/dissatisfaction%20with%20bodies.htm] -This is an interesting paper on how the media affects body image.

McGinn, D. (2009, November 24). //Office Blond Jokes No Laughing Matter.// Retrieved November 1, 2010, from The Globe and Mail : http://www.rcgd.isr.umich.edu/news/Greenwood_Globe%20and%20Mail_11.24.09.pdf -Although it doesn't contain very many facts, it is an interesting article about a woman suing her boss for sexist jokes.

//Sexist Humor No Laughing Matter, Psychologist Says.// (2007, November 7). Retrieved October 9, 2010, from Science Daily: [] -This was the most helpful article, it discusses the findings of a doctor who does work specifically on sexist humor.

Smuts, A. (2010). The Ethics of Humor: Can Your Sense of Humor be Wrong? //Ethical Theory and Moral Practice//, //13//(3), 333 - 347.

//Study: Sexist Humor Is No Joke.// (2007, November 05). Retrieved October 10, 2010, from Live Science: http://www.livescience.com/health/071105-sexist-humor.html

The Media Awareness Network. (2010). //Beauty and Body Image in the Media.// Retrieved November 1, 2010, from http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/issues/stereotyping/women_and_girls/women_beauty.cfm?RenderForPrint=1

Warner, C., & Robinson, D. (2008). //Social structure and emotion.// Academic Press.