A recent study from Pennsylvania State University suggests that humor in parenting is more than just a source of disapproval: It can significantly improve parent-child relationships. Daily Mail reported.
The study, led by Professor Benjamin Levi, reveals that humor can foster cognitive flexibility, relieve stress, and stimulate creative problem solving and resilience.
Despite extensive research on humor in a variety of settings, such as workplaces and social gatherings, the impact of humor on parenting has not been examined in depth until now.
Lucy Emery, the first author of the study, points out an interesting parallel between business and parenting, as both involve hierarchical structures. In business, humor is known to reduce hierarchical barriers, improve collaboration, and reduce tension. Similarly, humor can help mitigate stress and hierarchy in the parent-child dynamic, making difficult situations more manageable.
In a study of 312 people between the ages of 18 and 45, researchers found that more than half of the children had been 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 parenting. 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 of raising them. In contrast, only 2.9% of those whose parents did not use humor reported having a good relationship with their parents, and only 3.6% felt their parents were effective at parenting them.
The researchers hope that these findings will stimulate further studies into the benefits of humour in parenting. Professor Levi concludes: “My hope is that people can learn to use humour as an effective parenting tool, not only to relieve tension, but also to develop cognitive and emotional resilience and flexibility in themselves and to serve as an example for their children.”
