Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-2004
Publication Title
Women and Language
Volume
27
Issue
1
Pages
22-33
Abstract
Is the subject of feminist humor male oppression or a celebration of the female experience? This paper argues for the latter and suggests that inclusive jokes can be more effectively subversive than divisive ones. As long as women's jokes focus on men, male definitions, and male behavior, women are marginalizing females, even if their jokes target males. In addition, divisive jokes can strengthen prevailing beliefs about essential female-male differences. However, when straight feminists make jokes and laugh about the shared experiences of females rather than on oppressive male behavior, then feminist humor, like lesbian humor, becomes an agent for change.
Original Publication Citation
Bing, Janet. "Is Feminist Humor an Oxymoron?" Women and Language 27.1 (2004): 22-33.
Repository Citation
Bing, Janet M., "Is Feminist Humor an Oxymoron?" (2004). English Faculty Publications. 8.
https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/english_fac_pubs/8