As much as it may make you cringe, try not to roll your eyes when you hear your dad’s “dad jokes.”
According to experts, they may well be an example of good parenting.
In a new study, researchers from Penn State University found that Parents who use humor have better relationships with their children.
“Humor can teach people cognitive flexibility, relieve stress, and promote creative problem-solving and resilience,” said Professor Benjamin Levi, lead author of the study.
As much as they may make you cringe, try not to roll your eyes at your dad’s “dad jokes.” Experts say they may actually be an example of good parenting (stock image)
Previous studies have shown that humor has a big impact in different situations, such as the office and on dates.
However, little research has been done to date on the effects of humor on parenting.
“There is an interesting parallel between business and parenting, both of which are hierarchical,” said Lucy Emery, lead author of the study.
‘In business, humor has been shown to help break down hierarchies, create a better environment for collaboration and creativity, and reduce tension.
Although parent-child relationships are more loving than business relationships, stressful situations often arise during parenting.
‘Humor can help reduce tension and hierarchy and make both parties feel better about a stressful situation.’
In the study, the team interviewed 312 people between the ages of 18 and 45 about their experiences with humor in parenthood.
The researchers found a link between parents’ use of humor and the way their children (now adults) viewed the way they were raised (stock image)
More than half said they were raised by people who used humor, with the vast majority (71.8 percent) agreeing that humor can be an effective parenting tool.
The researchers also found a link between parents’ use of humor and the way their children (now adults) perceive the way they were raised.
Of those who reported that their parents used humor, 50.5 percent said they had a good relationship with their parents, while 44.2 percent said they felt their parents raised them well.
In contrast, only 2.9 percent of children who reported that their parents did not use humor reported having a good relationship with their parents, while only 3.6 percent reported that they felt their parents raised them well.
The team hopes the findings will lead to larger-scale research into the benefits of humor in parenting.
Professor Levi added: ‘I hope that people can learn to use humour as an effective parenting tool, not only to reduce tension, but also to develop resilience and cognitive and emotional flexibility in themselves and to demonstrate this to their children.’