Primary Research Article: Sexist Humor And Gender Norm

The article goes on to say that, a lot of jokes do not translate very well, and sometimes, they do not translate at all, mainly due to the differences in social structure and cultural norms; what may be considered funny in one culture, may not be in another.” (Psychology Today, 2012)

A survey was conducted at Texas A&M University in which the “Big Five” traits of Psychology were measured. The focus of the research is to use descriptive statistics to determine the average personality across the Texas A&M University student body and compare the results to the average personality across the University of Texas student body. Descriptive statistics describes the data that the researcher is analyzing in terms of the average and variability of the sample. Two types of descriptive statistics exist to describe the data: central tendency and variability. Central tendency describes the average of a sample by interpreting the mean, median, and mode. Variability describes the difference in the set of scores through the interpretation of standard deviation, variance, and range.

After his opening statements, Brooks begins to explain his point of view concerning each gender’s “well-known” pleasure in literature. He describes that men tend to enjoy books about isolation while women prefer books concerning people’s relationships with one another. While it is positive to point out the differences each gender portrays, Brooks’ presents them in a way that offends. He relies heavily on the stereotypes of society as a whole, and the weaving of gender in society. In a study conducted by two scientists, Laia Beclares and Naomi Priest, it was found that the stereotypical comments made in public has a significant effect on the actions of an individual, both negative and positive. It is stated that “Stereotype threat posits that awareness of a social stereotype that reflects negatively on one's social group can negatively affect the performance of group members” (13). This refutes the points made in Brooks’ essay concerning the many aspects gender plays in society. Many might say this is to do with that fact that biological factors interfere with

Despite the accepted idea that men and women are equal, there are still offensive ideas that make it to our gadgets and TV screens each day. It seems that when at a loss for ideas, the easy way out is to play on the tired old notion that women are somehow inferior to

The development of new theories pushed the boundaries and immensely expanded the complexity of what makes something funny, its psychological effects, ethical issues and how humor is used in social contexts. Many of the theories developed are commonly portrayed in

Humor is viewed by some people as an important part of life. Most people enjoy amusement, and some turn to humorists as a source for that amusement. Some further view humorists as holding an important position in society because society allows humorists to say things that others can and will not say. Due to their unique position in society, humorists serve a role that is certainly unique and can be important, but not vital. Furthermore, humor can very well have a dangerous side, whether intentional or unintentional, so humorists should try to be careful with their powerful position.

In the article “The Most Outrageous Ways School Are Trying To Enforce Gender Stereotypes” explains several cases where schools enforce boy and girls how to behave. The editor Tara Culp-Ressler explains that a senior girl went to prom dressed in jeans and got kicked out because she was not wearing a dress. Another case was a fourteen-year-old boy was forced to get rid of his makeup, which made his mother outraged and complained to the school. Tara also demonstrates that an eight-year-old girl was kicked out of a Christian school because she was not acting to feminine. She was dressing in sneakers and with short hair and the people in that school did not appreciate the girl being less feminine. Even more Tara writes of another incident where

In a study conducted by Kuiper & Harris (2009), the extent to which humor styles can predict different components of physical health was examined. A sample of 105 undergraduate students within the age range of 17-34 years was selected for the study. The different components of physical health included physical symptoms, attitudes about physical health issues, and coping strategies for dealing with a variety of common physical health ailments and complaints. Adaptive and maladaptive humor styles were expected to show differential relationships with the components of physical health. It was found that humor styles were unrelated to the number of physical symptoms experienced by the participants. The results also showed that higher levels of adaptive

Due to the resurgence of feminism in contemporary society, entertainment has evolved and comedies in particular have become more inclusive of women. There is a rise in television shows incorporating feminist ideology, and in those shows come new types of humor focused on female identities, experiences and values. Rather than laughing at women through the use of tired clichés, sitcom creators are inviting audiences to laugh with female characters. HBO’s comedy-drama Togetherness deviates from gendered comedic stereotypes and creates moments in which both men and women are funny. The show, created, written and produced by brothers Mark and Jay Duplass, explores humor through the unique relationship and complexities of the four main characters. At times, the main female characters, Michelle and Tina, may have stereotypical desires (for intimacy, motherhood etc.), but they themselves are far from stereotypical. Both Michelle and Tina reveal contradictions in their personalities that make them relatable and funny. Although the creators are men, Togetherness provides an honest portrayal of a modern female perspective— women can do whatever men do, but both are capable of failing. The flawed females of Togetherness navigate life in unconventional yet recognizable ways, providing audiences with laughter in the form of relief— unlike the female stereotypes found on the vast majority of other television shows.

Abstract This article examines the gender and humor practices and strategies of female comedians, focusing on Tina Fey. Through a content analysis of the 11 most popular YouTube clips featuring Tina Fey, I argue that there are two apparent themes that occur in her work. Specifically, when Fey is communicating with men she uses the incongruent theory of humor, and when she is interacting with women the use of superiority/disparagement theory is apparent. These themes will help illustrate the difference in humor styles that women use when interacting with different genders.

It is not unseasonable to believe that because stereotypes are appearing so commonly in comedy, they will reinforce those stereotypes rather than help society rid itself from them. Extinguishing stereotypes is impossible. Researchers have determined that the creation of stereotypes is a natural function of the brain (Paul, par. 2). In attempt to make light of a problematic issues, comedians use stereotypes to denounce stereotypes. The first thing that we should understand is that comedy is comedy. This does not mean that it should not be taken seriously as frequently advised. Comedy should be embraced and takes seriously but not in the

Since the beginning of time, gender has played a big role in how one acts and how one is looked upon in society. From a young age children are taught to be either feminine or masculine. Why is it that gender plays a big role in the characteristics that one beholds? For centuries in many countries it has been installed in individual’s heads that they have to live by certain stereotypes. Women have been taught to be feeble to men and depend on them for social and economical happiness. While men have been taught to be mucho characters that have take care of their homes and be the superior individual to a woman. For the individuals who dare to be different and choose to form their own identity whether man or woman, they are out casted and

Andy, your first example seems to be making fun of gender stereotypes. The man in the advertisement is the stereotypical “manly man”. He uses Old Spice because he is a man and wants to smell like a man. It is actually kind of funny because most of us know how unrealistic and untrue it is to have a muscle man with his shirt off riding around on a horse. Your second advertisement stereotypes women as the only people that cook. The woman burned something she was cooking, but her husband, in his business attire, comforts her by telling her “Don’t worry darling, you didn’t burn the beer!” It is untrue that only women cook. Traditionally this is what it may have been, but today it is much different as men help out in the kitchen. Your third and final

The media industry has enforced stereotypes for decades, creating trends, multi-media content, toys, perfume, makeup etc. which have been advertised and aimed at these gender stereotypes which still affect children and adults alike. From the 1940’s+ we have seen & heard many gender-based stereotypes

Ever since the times of Ancient Greeks we see comedy in theatre, and now in film, that points out human flaws that are laughable. Irony in satire is there to make us think about our flaws, whether they are individual, social, or political. If satire in theatre used to make people laugh at individual flaws like greed or lust, at the same time it served a purpose to prompt change. However, the way that stereotypes are used in current films, not only prompts adverse change, like reestablishing negative stereotypes, but it also all too often infringes on sensitive subjects like racism and feminism. Through an analysis of a movie Spy, one can see how a stereotype of a woman is used to show that deviations from it leads to terrible implications, and all kinds of failures. The movie Spy intends to emphasize that women can play an important role in today’s society and work environment; however, the negative character in Spy comes due to a weight disorder and overly comical female character image Cooper (Melisa McCarthy) who is doubted, not respected, and discriminated against. Ultimately, the lead character’s central purpose is to provoke laughter, not admiration.