In addition to the connection humor can bring, jokes also play a role in setting the standards in the group. By laughing or not at a joke, you determine together what is acceptable, says Marijke van der Zalm, advisor on bullying and project leader Week Against Bullying. “At the same time, this is also where things can go wrong. Because is the joke fun for everyone, or does it exclude a specific student or specific group and threaten to become the norm?” Research shows that humor paves the way for stigmatization of minority individuals and groups. Because you should be able to joke about blondes, right? But jokes stretch standards.
Swearing doesn’t hurt, and a joke should be possible…. Right?
