Funny like I’m a clown, I amuse you?
Poop and Boogies | June 29My two-year-old son (28 mos.) is developing quite a sense a humor. He is now at the stage where he genuinely finds stuff to be funny as opposed to just mimicking other people. I always get a kick out of watching him belly laugh at something on the television and I think to myself, “He gets it. How does a two-year-old get IT?”
Recently he has discovered the humor behind certain gags or practical jokes. He enjoys jumping from behind corners and scaring people. He knows that when playing “guess which hand the coin is in” game that when both hands are empty to look behind my back on the couch and he chuckles at the fact that I cheat. At night, as I lay next to him reading him his book, his head nestled on my shoulder, our faces only inches apart, he will turn his head slightly away from the book and at the precise moment I turn to look at him he will poke me in the eye and giggle and giggle. And when I tell him not to poke me in the eye he hones his “I am not touching you” skills as he sits with his finger just inches from my face, with a broad smile across his.
He is still learning the art of “pull my finger” and “wet willies” but all in all I love the fact that he has a sense of humor. But this got me to thinking. I think I have a pretty good sense of humor and I know my wife does but, is a Sense of Humor a genetic thing or is it a learned behavior? Nature vs. Nurture? How far does apple Pratfall from the tree?
What do you think? Is Humor genetic?
I think my sense of humor is definitely learned and if you knew my family you’d understand.
I don’t think I believe that it’s inherited, it’s definitely something learned for each person. I think if your parents have a great sense of humor that can rub off on the kids and you can be more open and funny but if you have dull parents it’s not going to come easily.
That’s my 2 cents…….
I’ve no idea, but me and my son have been laughing together since he was a year old. He’s also the only kid I’ve met to use irony at two years old.
That’s not as cute as it sounds. But making my son laugh is one of the brighter spots of my day.
Absolutely Genetic. My clowns have the same face paint I have. We have never, I mean never had a serious moment that wasn’t followed by an onslaught of silliness. Very healthy. Very Genetic.
The other night at the dinner table my daughter told this gem…
“Why did the cow cross the road?”
I bit.
“…he didnt want to die”
I’ll let you know when I figure that one out. But of course I laughed hysterically at the time.
I think they learn it from parents and friends.
I know of plenty of parents with no sense of humor and wouldn’t you know it - 99% of the time the kids didn’t have one either.
Dude…as a longtime fan of your blog, I’ve heard enough stories about your family to know that humor is DEFINITELY genetic. No doubt in my mind.
I think some of it is a genetic, but a big part of it is a learned skill. You’re born with muscles, but if you don’t exercise they atrophy. Same with a sense of humor. I’ve been watching my son develop his sense of humor and timing and it is glorious. Of course, I’m a sarcastic smart-ass and I have definitely noticed that developing in my Okapis, too. That’s an example of be careful what you wish for.
i think its a little of both. my son is such a happy little guy, finding humor in every aspect of life. he is always laughing. Even in his sleep sometimes. It is one of the best sounds ever- to hear your kid laugh in his sleep. ;) And i find myself amazed when he laughs at things on tv that are supposed to be funny. Like you- i find myself surprise he “got it”. And my kid does the “i’m not touching you” thing too.
I’m not certain it’s genetics, but I do know that when my children hear our laughter as parents, then they will laugh and be happy children as well. We love laughter in this house so it’s always a part of what we do.
It means your son is loved and happy and secure. Good on you.
[…] Over on the other blog I pseudo-regularly write for, the blog fathers, William wrote a great post on whether people think sense of humor is genetic. My opinion? Absolutely. Case in point: Hayes. […]
I think it’s a combination of both. Some people are just predisposed to not see the funny in life, and others are, but the level of the sense of humor is more environmental. For example, my husband, brother, sister-in-law and I were all watching “Monty Python” a few years ago, and while my husband, brother and I were laughing madly, my poor sister-in-law was just shaking her head and saying, “I don’t get this.” She finds many other things funny, but her sense of humor couldn’t appreciate British comedy. Neither does my mother… my dad is the one who gave us his sense of humor.
I think some kids have it at birth and some never get it. I have one of each.
I also think it’s a comination of both, but a parent can instill the proper use of humor and timing to their children. My BJ has learned some of my best cheesssyyyyy jokes, but watching him tell them is more funny than the joke itself.
I think it’s a combination of both as well. Although I know some kids whose parents are anything but funny :)
Dude, I think that humor comes from something other than learned responses OR genetics. It’s a WEIRD wild card, because my baby thinks the oddest things are HIGH-hilarity: coughing, chopping down trees, and the one page of “The Rooster Struts” book that says, “The Goose Waggles.” That goose is the funniest thing she’s ever seen, and she looks at me as if to say, “MOM, look at the GOOSE, I mean, how can you even CONTROL yourself with that goose here???” — it defies explanation, but a baby’s laughter is the best sound EVER so we return to the goose page. Or the coughing, or, in a pinch, chopping down trees.
I’d like to think that all human beings are born with a sense of humor - watching very small children at play supports this, I think. Environment either encourages that sense or discourages it.
As to the form that sense takes - anyone’s guess. Why do many kids - and many adults - find shit funny? Is it inherently funny?
And more problematically - why do some people laugh at Carrot-Top? Deuce Bigelow? If that shit’s genetic, we’re in trouble.
Def. a combo. Our daughter came out of the gina cracking jokes like a pro. Son developed his humor later. He’s dry as a bone and cracks us up!