Hur skämtar vi? Om barns och vuxnas skämt i ett könsperpektiv

Abstract

This article emphasizes the n e e d for r e s e a r c h into how the concept of g e n d e r shapes our usage of language. One way of illucidating gender-relatecl language usage is studying how women and men use j o k e s a n d h u m o u r o u s remarks in d i f f e r e n t contexts a n d also focusing on what types of j o k e s are c o n s i d e r e d a p p r o p r i a t e for m e n and women. Jokes might seem as a trivial subject f o r a linguist. In our opinion, however, h a n t e r i n g a n d h u m o u r o u s responses consitute in integral part of h u m a n spöken i n t e r a c t i o n . In private conversations g r o u p s of women are shown to joke and communicate freely. Despite the fact that the female g e n d e r role is limiting it can also provide women with a f r e e d o m a n d flexibility of language not f o u n d elsewhere. We have r e a c h e d the conclusion that women censure their language and their behaviour depend i n g on the situation and the company. Furthermore we have b e e n able to ascertain that m e n and boys use more jokes t h a n women in public conversations. Our g e n d e r roles socialize us i n t o expecti n g girls a n d boys to behave differently also in this respect. Men a n d boys a r e e x p e c t e d to use m o r e jokes. They a r e also allowed to j o k e in situtions were women cannot. Our school observations as well as our scrutiny of televised debates and talk shows c o n f i rm this. Women also refrain f r om joking d u r i n g j o b interviews a n d similar situations. This article is based on two s e p a r a t e studies. Despite dissimilarities in focus a n d collection of data b o t h studies p o i n t to similar results: — Men and boys use jokes more f r e q u e n t l y than girls a n d women — T h e r e is a g e n d e r - r e l a t e d d i f f e r e n c e as to the c o n t e n t s of t h e jokes. — G e n d e r roles restrict women, especially in public situations a n d prevent t h em f r om using humourous remarks or jokes for fear of not being c o n s i d e r e d serious.