'Dad Jokes' boost parent-child relationships, study reveals

A recent study from Penn State University suggests that humor in parenting is more than just a source of eye rolls — it can significantly enhance parent-child relationships, Daily Mail reported.

The study, led by Professor Benjamin Levi, reveals that humor can foster cognitive flexibility, alleviate stress, and encourage creative problem-solving and resilience. 

Despite extensive research on humor in various settings like workplaces and social dates, the impact of humor in parenting had not been thoroughly examined until now.

Lucy Emery, the study’s first author, notes an intriguing parallel between business and parenting, both of which involve hierarchical structures. In business, humor is known to lessen hierarchical barriers, improve collaboration, and reduce tension. Similarly, humor can help mitigate stress and hierarchy in parent-child dynamics, making challenging situations more manageable.

Surveying 312 individuals aged 18 to 45, the researchers found that over half were raised by parents who used humor, and 71.8% agreed that humor is an effective parenting tool. The study also found a notable connection between parents' use of humor and their children’s perceptions of their upbringing. Among those whose parents used humor, 50.5% reported having a good relationship with their parents, and 44.2% felt their parents did a good job raising them. In contrast, only 2.9% of those whose parents did not use humor reported a good relationship with their parents, and just 3.6% felt their parents were effective in their parenting.

The researchers hope these findings will encourage more extensive studies on the advantages of humor in parenting. Professor Levi concludes, "My hope is that people can learn to use humor as an effective parenting tool, not only to diffuse tension but develop resilience and cognitive and emotional flexibility in themselves and model it for their children."