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Sexism in humor post #1:Why are penis jokes funny?

October 11, 2013 by Kathryn Lodwick (KEL5344)   

Penis jokes, or the more commonly used (and rather vulgar) term “dick jokes” are made on a daily basis by comedians and the like. Your friends make them, that guy named Sam down the hall makes them, when your grandmother makes one it’s pretty awkward, and you’ve probably cracked a few. But what makes jokes about male genitalia so funny? -And funny enough for them to pretty much be a modern day fad?

When you think about it, it’s rather sexist that both men and women make jokes about men’s’ “parts” more than they do about women’s’, and personally, I’ve yet to find a specific reason as to why there are more jokes about men than women regarding this subject.

But here’s my theory: The conclusion in which I have come to is that the reason people are more comfortable making “dick jokes” is that in general, society talks about and is foremost more comfortable talking about male genitalia VS. female genitalia. The reason for this is because throughout history and even in today’s world, most people are if not less familiar with female anatomy, but less curious about it. There’s something about it that isn’t taught as explicitly in schools and in books as male anatomy is. Perhaps the reason jokes about this subject aren’t as prominent because people aren’t as familiar with it as they are with males. Also, the subject of penis size has also always been a huge topic of discussion, especially in comedy. For years comedians, actors and actresses in movies, and every day people have been poking at fun at men who are lesser “endowed” than other men. But jokes are never made regarding size when it comes to female anatomy other than the common “boob size joke”. When someone makes a joke about a woman’s chest size, it’s generally regarded as extremely insensitive, and if it’s a guy they automatically become a jerk. –Yet it’s perfectly okay for both men and women alike to make a joke about a guy’s “size”.

Is this because this is how it has always been? How can we make body part jokes regarding size equal? Will it ever be acceptable for a man to be able to make fun of a woman because her breast size is small, and not be considered an insensitive jerk?

Although penis jokes are much more prominent than jokes about female’s bodies, they are also sometimes regarded as taboo in many comedic settings. Many comedy shows and comedy groups won’t even allow you to make these jokes. And when auditioning, actors are encouraged to steer clear of anything related to specific sexual organs. It’s almost peculiar in a way, how it is so common to make jokes about this subject, but then is discouraged in a formal comedy setting. In most cases this is because “dick jokes” are thought to be the lowest of low, or “weakest” / “last resort” jokes. A true comedian only makes a joke regarding male genitalia if they have nothing left to say, and even then, it’s almost a sin in comedy to stoop so low you have to make a joke about penises.

Why is it so uncommon to make a joke about the anatomy of a transgender person? Or why do people feel uncomfortable laughing at certain anatomy jokes, as opposed to others.

 

So really, there is no study as to why people don’t make jokes about female’s bodies as opposed to males.

 

Sexism is just too funny.


1 Comment »

  1. kaf5534 says:

    You certainly make a point about the prevalence of dick jokes and now that I think about it, jokes about female genitalia are pretty much taboo. It’s just drilled into my head that its okay to make dick jokes with other guys but to never, ever, ever make a joke about a girl’s body for its thought that she will take it to heart. Whether she will or not, its kind of a protective sexism where the guy is strong and nothing can hurt him. On the other hand, the girl is fragile and need of protection. This old time view of gender relations is still influential in society today.

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