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Funny Business

While staying abreast of world affairs by scanning the magazine rack, a patently ridiculous headline caught my eye: "Get Happy! Why Giggling Is Time Well Spent." Not that I have anything against this practice -- what I do in the privacy of my own home is no on else's business -- it just never occurred to me to write an article glorifying it

Of course this was a parenting magazine; one of those glossy jobs subsidized by the disposable diaper industry. I bought it just for this feature, which makes the outrageous claim that children enjoy and benefit from humor (wow, who knew?). The high-powered academic types who contributed all agree that children who laugh a lot have a good start in life. I'd like to pit these guys in a wire cage tag-team no-rules match against my elementary school teachers, who had different ideas.

Furthermore, the article says that children need parental support for their humor. On this point I agree, although I would note that an appreciation of slapstick and a stomach for repetition will serve you well. Unless you can agree that a dog wearing a banana peel for a wig is funny not once, but every two minutes for a three week run, you are going to be in for some tough sledding.

It is pointless to analyze the appeal of slapstick humor; so pointless, in fact, that many academic authorities have devoted their careers to it.

According to Amelia Klein, Ed.D. and associate professor of early childhood education, children love physical humor because it "reflects their attempts to master walking and moving about." Oh yeah, right. As if young children have ever been known to take a philosophical view of their own failings. I'd say the real reason they like it is because they like seeing someone else fall down for a change.

For another brilliant analysis, we are introduced to Paul McGhee, Ph.D., a developmental psychologist who claims that "Children have an innate desire to play with reality and to rearrange it." Sounds like the these children have futures in bioengineering. Dr. McGhee is also described as an "authority on humor who has written eleven books on the subject." Eleven books de-constructing humor ... now there's a party guest from hell. Wouldn't you just love to hear him tell a joke.

I say it all boils down to the fact that it's funny to see someone fall down smack on their wallet, as long as your liability is not in question. True, there are degrees of subtlety. It may not be so funny seeing someone bump his head (unless he is a salesman), but the very same action accompanied by a well-synchronized sound effect of a hammer striking an anvil can be pure poetry.

In any case, you should encourage your child's sense of humor on his own level. So my advice to all of you new and aspiring Homedaddies is to get your hands on all of the Three Stooges episodes you can. Study them carefully, even if you don't enjoy it ... although I can't imagine what sort of man wouldn't.

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© Todd Pinsky 1998-2002. All rights reserved.