AdminA dad joke is a special variety of wholesome humor. It’s the kind of corny pun or play on words that can leave you laughing even if you think it’s not funny.
But what makes a dad joke a dad joke? And why do they make us laugh (and cringe)? According to one recent study, the answer is that dad jokes are a special type of humor that has a pedagogical effect. The researchers found that when fathers use humorous teasing with their children, they may be consciously exploiting their image-conscious pre-adolescent children’s tendency to experience embarrassment. And as a result, they may be helping kids learn how to handle it better.
In other words, the cheesiness of the jokes is actually good for them. Dad jokes can help teach kids to be able to handle embarrassment, which is important because it is an emotion that is associated with positive outcomes, like lower levels of stress and higher self-esteem. It is also a skill that can be transferred to other situations, like at school or at work.
What’s more, the joking that dads engage in with their kids can also give them an opportunity to be playful and demonstrate an ability to let go of their social anxiety. This is a very healthy way for young kids to start to learn about the world and how to behave in it. And the best part is that this kind of humour can be enjoyed by everyone — not just men. best dad jokes