Sexist Humor No Laughing Matter, Psychologist Says

[ccharles000]

A research project led by a Western Carolina University psychology professor indicates that jokes about blondes and women drivers are not just harmless fun and games; instead, exposure to sexist humor can lead to toleration of hostile feelings and discrimination against women.

“Sexist humor is not simply benign amusement. It can affect men’s 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,” said Thomas E. Ford, a new faculty member in the psychology department at WCU. “Specifically, we propose that sexist humor acts as a ‘releaser’ of prejudice.”

In their research article*, Ford and the graduate student co-authors describe two research projects designed to test the theory that “disparagement humor” has negative social consequences and plays an important role in shaping social interaction.

“Our research demonstrates that exposure to sexist humor can create conditions that allow men – especially those who have antagonistic attitudes toward women – to express those attitudes in their behavior,” he said. “The acceptance of sexist humor leads men to believe that sexist behavior falls within the bounds of social acceptability.”

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071106083038.htm

[La Lioness Priyanka]

1. color me not surprised. the same goes for gay jokes.

[Scout]

2. i could have told them that....

instead we hear "oh you feminists just don't have a sense of humor"

:eyes:

[Odin2005]

9. Oh don't get me started about super-sexist rape jokes.

[undeterred]

3. So can people here at DU stop saying "douchebag"?

Or would that ruin your fun?

[LiberalFighter]

5. Is douchebag a term that only applies to women?

I usually use other terms. numbnut, shankapottamus, dipshit, Republican

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

6. The argument is that "bag" is a sexist term for an ugly old nasty woman.

Therefore, "douchebag" is sexist.

But then again, cartoon penguins are scary and racist, so there you go.

[Berry Cool]

13. Actually, I just think of a douchebag as a useless object

because douching is a completely unnecessary practice, given that the feminine body self-cleans internally with no need for assistance.

Therefore, I think "douchebag" = "worthless person."

Definitely insulting. But not sexist.

[Gwendolyn]

14. Me too. Exactly. n/t

[femrap]

20. When I hear the word,

douchebag, I think of a man having an enema. FYI, some sperm isn't high grade and ends up as an infection. What are you gonna use? A very useful douchebag....but not with the man's enema attachment.

Got it?

Not worthless.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

32. Why not use the word "Spoogebag" instead, then?

It's got that nice plosive "P", and the same sustained double "O" that is so great for expressing contempt. And of course, the ever-useful suffix, "-bag".

[JuniperLea]

24. I've never known a man to use a douche

It's a purely female thing, and it gives the impression that a douche bag is a smelly, nasty thing... hence the anatomy that is douched is too.

I'm pretty disgusted at feeling the need to spell that one out.

[seabeyond]

27. exactly. feels like "lets play stupid". nt

[BlancheSplanchnik]

29. Seconded. It is a term originating in primal revulsion towards femaleness I.E.

Ew, icky lady parts.

[JuniperLea]

39. Yep...

We stink, donchano.

[Uncle Joe]

4. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, ccharles.

[Richardo]

7. Sorry, sounds like a load to me.

“Our research demonstrates that exposure to sexist humor can create conditions that allow men – especially those who have antagonistic attitudes toward women – to express those attitudes in their behavior,” he said. “The acceptance of sexist humor leads men to believe that sexist behavior falls within the bounds of social acceptability.”

The misogynists who have 'antagonistic attitudes toward women' and exhibit sexist behavior justify it any way they can - they ALREADY think it falls within the bounds of social acceptability. Their behavior and attitudes dictate their taste in jokes, not the other way around.

Banning jokes about blondes and women drivers is not going to affect them one whit. For the rest of us, the occasional disparaging joke can be a harmless goof, and that goes for all the 'stupid dad' characters seen in the media, as well as the dumb blondes.

[Odin2005]

8. Sad that they had to do a study to prove the obvious, so blind people are to this crap.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

30. you're not kidding!! The usual crowd is here to demonstrate blindness for us.

As we, the usual crowd who understand the connection between language and behavior.

Why not do like the Rude Pundit does? Use the word "spoogebag"!


hi Odin :hi:

[Odin2005]

38. "Spoogebag" LOL!!!

:rofl: :hi:

[BlancheSplanchnik]

40. Know what they call a used condom in New Jersey?

(well, what we in Joisey --the New York metro area) called 'em)

.
.
.
.

Coney Island Whitefish

[dmallind]

10. It must also then be asked - is the same true of almost all sitcoms

Where the male characters are always bungling buffoons saved by their sensible long-suffering wives and girlfriends?

[sudopod]

11. Oh the long history of suffering and oppression we men have had to face.

Damn you Jim Belushi. DAMN YOU YOU TRAITOR!!! *shakes fist*

[Scout]

12. hey, those men CHOOSE to play those roles, if they want to portray

bungling buffoons for money, who are we to say no?

are you some nanny-stater who thinks men should be protected from their own bad choices?

[seabeyond]

17. inevitably the man always comes out on the top. do give an example where

even being presented as stupid, he doesnt inevitably be given the power.

[seabeyond]

15. of course, as women for decades have listened to men tell sexist jokes to put us in place

and then when called on it to lighten up.

i cannot tell you how many times i have been told a sexist joke, or where my place as a woman is.... they laugh adn say just kiddin.

no, not really

women feel it, know it and are told to shut up about it.

[femrap]

21. Awomen and amen. nt

[mitchum]

16. Fruitcake and airplane bathroom jokes are no laughing matter

I have actually laughed at some sexist jokes, but have never laughed at a fruitcake or airplane bathroom joke. Never.

[seabeyond]

18. ah.... but now, when someone makes a black joke, say a white person.... we do what?

outraged i tell you. and why?

[mitchum]

19. Touchy subjects are some of the best sources for humor...

it allows one to express fear, anxiety, bewilderment, frustration, etc...

[seabeyond]

22. it allows one to degrade, demean and put in place.... all for a good laugh. nt

[mitchum]

23. I think those "good laughs" are always tinged with fear and anxiety

I'm not excusing sexism, racism, homophobia; they are reprehensible.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

28. yeah. in addition to homophobia, transphobia & sexism

[GreenPartyVoter]

25. Jokes that put _any_ group down are no good for creating a climate of acceptance.

[varelse]

26. They research it

we live it :(

[Gwendolyn]

31. I probably notice it more because I'm blonde.

But loads of women make dumb blonde/blonde bimbo jokes and references all the time. Because you know, unintelligent blondes are somehow different from their brunette counterparts. Or redheaded sisters.

DU is not immune to it either. Plenty of righteous feminists here have no qualms about making derisive comments based on tying hair color to IQ. The hypocrisy aside, it doesn't seem to affect their ability to further progressive feminist values.

[seabeyond]

35. attack the woman to defend the man. yes, some women on du perpetuate sexism. nt

[Gwendolyn]

36. Are you having a brain cramp?

Who's defending men? In my experience there are lots of women who also make derogatory comments about "dumb blondes." Deal with it. I do.

[hfojvt]

41. that has been my experience too

at least a couple times, if not all the time. One of my sisters loves blonde jokes, and I had a couple of female co-workers tell me quite seriously, 'blondes are dumb'.

[Gwendolyn]

42. I know. It's not paranoia! :-D

People maybe just don't notice it when it isn't about them. It's surprising how many women agree with the whole blonde bimbo stereotyping.

My female ex-boss made dumb blondes jokes along with other stereotypically sexist comments about women all the time. Imagine complaining about that to HR?

[DU GrovelBot]

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[kctim]

34. What kind of conditions do they create for women?

Chicks tell THE BEST chick jokes.

[SeekerBlue]

37. No shit.

[Nikki Stone1]

43. Well fucking duh.

Again.

It's interesting how when DUers say things like this, they get flamed. But have a bunch of academics spend your taxpayer money to say the same thing, and suddenly it's a good issue worth discussing.

[seabeyond]

44. not a whole lot of discussion, lol. women saying duh, and the men that would otherwise flame

dont come on the thread cause their excuses aren't defensible with the obvious, and backing.

when a good ole sexist joke does come up, there will be the laugh and jeers and attacks against the women that point out sexism and conditioning and negative effects of the jokes. lighten up, humor, hurts no one will be forefront in the argument.