Bad Jokes

Researchers tested the effects of “disparagement humor” by telling jokes that insult women (mostly suggesting we’re here to cook and clean) to men who are “higher in hostile sexism,” and telling jokes that are neutral to another, similar group.

Afterward, the men who heard disparaging jokes were less likely to favor funding for women’s programs and more likely to condone harassment—and even crimes—against women.

Similar results have been found with jokes against Muslims and gay men.

Is it possible that disparaging humor against older adults is also fostering discrimination—every day? Absolutely.

And it’s nothing to laugh about.

Photo by Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels