I got an email from a mom today canceling her daughter’s JokesByKids newsletter subscription because we included a blonde joke and a “Yo Mama’s So Fat” joke. These jokes were personally screened by me. Perhaps my assistant, who usually edits the jokes, has a higher standard. But … what’s the harm here? These jokes are “clean. ” They are not suggestive or violent. But, of course, they do make fun of people. But not specific people. Are they likely to hurt a child’s feelings? Am I setting a bad example by publishing these jokes?
Here are links to the offending jokes:
Blonde Joke
Yo Mama Joke
Here’s a snippet from the letter I received:
First, my daughter and I are both blonde, yet neither of us is stupid or ‘airheaded’. That is an image I fight constantly to keep my daughter from ever having of herself in her brain. Thankfully I saw this email before she did so I could delete it!
Second, many people we love and respect are overweight, some of them are family. I was taught, and my husband and I strive to teach our children, that people are not to be judged by what’s on the outside, but by what’s inside.
What do you think? Are Blonde jokes and Yo Mama jokes okay for kids? Please vote below, and post a comment (below the poll) to explain your vote.
Kid jokes should be just for fun, not to make fun of any one. Our kids will learn that is part of life soon enough. I do think these joke could hurt feelings. Having someone make fun of your mom can make you feel like there is something wrong with you. Shame the parent, you shame the child. Just my 2 cents.
In a time when we are trying to teach children to be tolerant and non-bullying, I think these jokes are highly inappropriate on the website.
My daughter is overweight and struggles against kid’s taunts and bullying on a regular basis. Fat jokes are ammunition. I don’t think kids should be given that ammunition.
First it’s “Yo Mama’s so Fat” jokes then, then racial then religious. Who knows where it will stop. No, I believe we should focus on the positive only. Teach the kids there is only one path to social behavior, doing the right thing the right way all the time. There are standards and adults are the leaders. High standards and good leadership. Thanks, Pete in New Mexico
Today people are very sensitive about everything. It most be in the air. Whether you use any kind of joke about people or animal someone will get very offended so what can you do? Nothing. Like I said it is in the air.
I work with almost 100 fourth grade children in an elementary school, and we share jokes at lunch, which I pre-approve. I would not have approved these jokes, because they make fun of a group of people, which I can not endorse. Just think, if I allowed these, the children might believe that ethnic and racial jokes are fine as well.
We should be teaching our children to accept ALL people. Just because a joke is “clean,” “not suggestive,” and “not violent” is not a reason to further stereotypes about one group or another. I googled “Jewish jokes” and found many that were clean, not suggestive, and not violent, so will you allow those, too?
It is almost impossible to completely screen children from jokes about ‘fat’ or ‘blond’ people. They appear in so many publications and situations and in different countries all over the world.
One way to defend against feeling inferior or insulted may well be to accept those jokes as a part of life and try, however that is possible, to make fun of it and simply refuse to take them seriously.
After all – not only fat or blond people, or even gifted ones – everyone who is not the accepted norm is likely to be teased and even bullied. Showing displeasure usually only makes things worse.
What is the difference in poking fun of the color of someone’s hair or the color of their skin? Or how heavy someone is and the slant of their eyes? In my view if one is wrong, then they all are.
No one, especailly kids, likes to be on the receiving end of a joke that pokes fun of who they are.
What seems to be a harmless poking fun at a blonde just opens the door for other insensitive jokes.
I am a firm believer in not making fun of others in any format. Unfortunately, if we as adults can not set the example for our children, where are they ever to learn it from. Children are very literal and do not understand sarcasm until around 9-11 yrs old. Let’s be positive examples for all children, everywhere.
No, blonde jokes and Yo Mama jokes are NOT okay for kids, and certainly not for mine (ages 2 and 7). I don’t want my kids to make fun of people because of the way they look, the color of their hair or skin, their size, the clothes they wear, or any other reason. How big a stretch is it from blonde jokes to African-American jokes? Can a child understand that one is okay and the other is not? A good joke doesn’t have to pick on someone.
The acceptance of certain language/comments has lowered our tolerance as a society. Personally, I’m offended when people use words like f— or sh– around me, yet others don’t even flinch. I feel socitey needs to raise its expectations again. Remember Andy Griffith and Opie? People back then had respect, values & morals, and kids grew up knowing what was right and wrong. Children aren’t mature enough to know when it is or isn’t appropriate to use the jokes you shared, therefore, making them potentially offensive and hurtful. I know my child would be devestated if a classmate spoke of her mother! (PS-I’m not even old, but I do appreciate respect and intelligence).
Barbara, I am sorry, but I really do agree with Kendra. No, I don’t think blonde or yo,mama jokes are appropriate for children. Once children start reading and hearing them, they start making fun of their peers. It is a senitive subject for most, even adults when they hear jokes that could be aimed at them. Any kind of joke that make light of a mother I find rather offensive though. It used to make me want to punch the teller of the joke (put down). Thanks for asking for my 2 cents. Susan
I don´t think these jokes hurt anyone because they don´t make fun of a dissability or anything, the could be about blondes or brunetts or whatever. I am Mexican and there are a lot of jokes about us, and I don´t get offended.
I believe publishing shose jokes showed to your audience the essence of what is wrong with education today. This type of joke is a carry-over from the tasteless and harmful humor of television, which in general demeans humanity as a whole, and now says that humore requires a victim. Such poor judgment indicates that you should be replaced as an editor.
I believe publishing shose jokes showed to your audience the essence of what is wrong with education today. This type of joke is a carry-over from the tasteless and harmful humor of television, which in general demeans humanity as a whole, and now says that humore requires a victim. Such poor judgment indicates that you should be replaced as an editor.
The “Yo Mama’s So Fat” jokes are not the type I want to pass along to my kids. I am overweight, and I have several friends who are overweight. I would never approve of telling a joke at another’s expense.
how did you make this site then kids can tell jokes
As adults we should be teaching children to the highest standard of behavior. Children will all to quickly be made fun of and learn tomake fun of others. This is not a desirable behavior. Mking fun of someones’s hair color or size is ok, but their race is not? I say it’s just not nice to make fun of anyone for anything. It is harmful.
For adults, political correctness has gone too far. I found nothing wrong with the jokes, as an adult. However, young children haven’t yet learned to make the distinction between a generic joke and a personally offensive one. These types of jokes shouldn’t appear in a newsletter aimed at youngsters.
It is not okay to poke fun at people. Period. We need to set examples of kindness and compassion for our children.
There are many things in life we can poke fun at that will never hurt anyone, and while it make a little more time and creativity to find them, it can be done.
I know people who have spent a lifetime dealing with the pain of having overheard something like, “Oh, she’s from a blue collar family. Probably best if she gets married to some nice fellow out of high school and raises a family,” and “He can never be equal in intelligence to his siblings, poor thing, but he’ll probably get through life okay.”
Let’s help build character by exploring issues like these and even letting children join in on the discussion. We can all learn from each other.
Jokes are always risky……..putting someone down for a characteristic is not something that is honoring and/or edifying. We all have a hard enough time in life…..so….I vote not to go there. I would prefer to encourage others. My kids all know……..we don’t do this and we don’t laugh at another’s expense.
Today we need to approach this issue by asking “what IS appropriate” rather than by by asking “what isn’t”. While everyone will eventually be exposed to all sorts of humor, it may be hoped that by that point in their lives, they will have developed that all-important sense of what is right. Most children simply lack that ability and there is way too much room for hurtful behavior to result. I have seen too many cases in which substantial workplace issues related to harrassment have been caused by adults not realizing that lines have been crossed and perhaps if they had developed a better sense of sensibility as kids, these issues wouldn’t arise.
I do find it curious that you should be a well educated, i.e., sensitive woman, who would not tolerate any “jokes” that “make fun” of those in our society that are either blonde or overweight. I find your site so relevant and timely, but this it not okay. As a 60 year old mother of a 35 year old, and as an educator, I find the jokes really callous, ignorant, and offensive. I am a product of the women’s movement and I always try to be on guard for anything that might portray a sterotype that is degrading. Those two types of jokes do. Please do not have anything like those again. By the way, I do lean left of the party lines and I am a very liberal person who is fed is up with our society accepting so much that is uncivilized and crud. Also, anything that might even hint at offending someone. So, you are a model for us … continue to do so and be aware that words once written and/or spoken cannot be taken back. LHL
I feel there are enough really good, clean jokes and riddles in this world that we don’t need these two types of jokes. I teach 2nd grade and know I wouldn’t want my students reading these. They like the silly, nonsense, knock-knock jokes that don’t hurt anyone. I have a good link on my website. Check it out.
I agree with the majority of folks who have commented that the jokes are inappropriate.
As simple and innocent as the jokes may seem, they are, however, putting people down. As a Christian homeschooling mom, I do not tolerate my children making fun of others. I try to help them see that others may have good days and bad days(ex: blonde moments), others may have health/fitness issues(ex: excess weight), and that others who have disabilities were made special by God so that you and I may see their strength while understanding that they are able to still praise Him during their difficulties.
Major run-on sentence, but I had a lot to say.
To some, it may seem like it doesn’t *really* hurt anybody. Well are you the blonde one or are you the fat one. If not, than I am sure that it didn’t offend you. So, let’s be fair right across the board and “just say no” to jokes that put others down. Let’s try to build each other up instead.
“But, of course, they do make fun of people. But not specific people”
Yes they do. They make fun of blondes and fat people.
That certainly specifies to me what people we are laughing about.
Humor is extremely subjective and sensitive. Clean is great… funny is open to opinion. Your survey is a great way to discover what is uncomfortable to others even though it may not be to you. Very sensitive of you to inquire what others feel…
Your openness to others thoughts is a wonderful trait..keep up the good work.
I don’t think these jokes are appropriate for children. My daughters would be terrible offended if anyone made a joke about me and I would hope that other children would feel the same way.
All jokes make fun of something or someone! The universal thread that makes us laugh is the basis in truth, no matter how small, that we recognize as true but funny. If we succumb to the rampant disease of “political correctness” jokes in general will become extinct!!! How about a joke that goes “Yo mama is so NORMAL nobody sees her”!!!!
Golly, what a lot of super sensitive people you all are. Blonde and fat jokes have been around for ever. They are jokes for goodness sake. In my opinion you would all be far better off making sure children didn’t have access to viewing violent movies and video games. My 10c!
I disagree that all jokes make fun of something. Many jokes are a play on words and help children think laterally. Making fun of someone, in my opinion, teaches children nothing and sets a lower standard than I would like to see. When I was a child political correctness was not around (I’m 47), but my parents would never have told me a joke like those, nor would they have approved of them.
First of all, I’d like to say that I’m an 11 year old asian girl who hears these jokes on a regular basis.
At school, kids are constantly telling them to each other. However, no one takes these immature comments personally. In a way, this only strengthens children for when they someday will need to face even more critical jokes. It also teaches kids tolerance of each other – if a kid is at the wrong end of the joke, they’ll be less likely to make fun of another person because they’ll know what it feels like.
Unfortunately, these jokes (I believe) are results of lack of values in our society today. In most places, ALL of the kids are being made fun of at at least one place.
These jokes should raise our concern. Kids don’t need any more stress than they already have – and neither do moms or obeast people. Let’s do our part as a society and discourage these awful comments. We should do away with these discriminations, but we also need to get rid of the also common discriminations of immigrants, asians, religions, weights, grades, genders, and races.
So, instead of hiding your kid from the terrible reality of the present, show these jokes to them and TALK about them with him/her. Ask their opinion. Most likely, they will not approve of it either. Toether, you can figure out how to avoid being part of the present cycle, and someday will be able to change the future and make it much brighter.
At first glance, I didn’t see anything wrong with the blonde joke but didn’t care for the “yo mama” joke. Then I remembered that at 47 I can “take a joke” about blondes (although I’ll never be old enough to take a joke about my mother).
However, children (I teach 3rd – 5th) aren’t mature enough sometimes to take jokes as that. My students are at that very sensitive age where jokes like that could kill their self-esteem and I am not one of those “don’t do it if it will hurt their feelings” people.
However, no one likes to feel like their stupid or an airhead. Let’s just keep the jokes to “Why’d the chicken cross the road?”
Many years ago, I used to listen to a DJ on the radio who poked fun at all sorts of professions. One day his “subject” was “fat people”. That did it for me. I called the station and spoke to him (you could do that more easily back then) explaining that having fun with a profession was one thing – for the most part people choose their professions; making fun of a part of a person that is their core, how they were born, or perhaps a disability (obesity can have many causes)- has no place on radio or anywhere. He actually responded positively.
I have taught my children that they are not to make themselves feel better by putting others down. That is what the jokes you are referring to do. Forget political correctness, I don’t go for that. What about tolerance, understanding, graciousness and basic human kindness? Words do hurt, I defy any of us to go back to our childhoods and not find an instance where the cruelty of words didn’t affect us. “Ethnic” jokes were quite popular when I was young. They were no more appreciated than the jokes you have published. Would you publish ethnic jokes? They can be funny – but they are not appropriate, nor do they perpetuate the traits I believe most of us want for our children.
Jokes have many sides and were created for many reasons. As for being more concerned about violent movies and video games, perhaps you haven’t been in a schoolyard to see the fights that break out after a Yo Mama joke is told and a child feels s/he has to defend his/her parent. I’ve been there. It’s not a laughing matter.
One more thing I teach my children and my students – once words leave your mouth, you can never take them back. Thank you for sharing the mother’s response and opening a forum for comment.
“An unfortunate thing about this world is that the good habits are much easier to give up than the bad ones.” ~~ W. Somerset Maugham ( 1874 – 1965) British playwright
Interesting that this would be your Quote of the Week at the same time you are publishing Blonde jokes and Yo Mama jokes. Perpetuating stereotypes and sending the message to children that it’s ok to make fun of people, is a very dangerous bad habit! To the people who say “Lighten Up! It’s only a joke”…I say, “Brighten up! It’s not just about political correctness, it’s about RESPECT!”
I think that they could be “ok” for people to read but not for young kids or kids with sensitive feelings.
I think that they could be “ok” for people to read but not for young kids or kids with sensitive feelings.
personally I dont feel these jokes are bad for kids to hear …but…then again it is pointing out a difference in people they might not have noticed. My daughter still sees people as people. They are not black or white, boys or girls, fat or skinny. No one is better than anyone else. I guess I would like to keep that childlike thinking for as long as possible
I agree with what a few have already said- blonde and yo mama jokes have been around forever. You could just explain to your children- just because someone is blonde doesn’t mean that all blondes are dumb. As far as yo mama jokes go, kids make fun of other people’s parents if they are skinny, if they have a disability or anything else they can think of. Also, if you’re a red-head, it has always been deemed that they have tempers. That may not be the case alot of the times, though. Things like this have always been around and always will. Are the ones that are trying to keep these jokes away from their kids also keeping them from seeing violence on tv, video games or anything else that is alot worse than these jokes?
I think that exposing our children to jokes like these is truely pointless as I feel it encourages them to put others down for their differences rather than building each other up and completing each other for our weakness’ so that they might find themselves feeling better for having support from each other.
The statement Treat others the way that you would want to be treated goes along ways dont you think?!
No I do not feel fat or blond jokes are hurtful in any way; and I’ve been one for over 30 years.As a child I learned any color hair or body size could be put in or replaced in these JOKES. Jokes are made for fun and laughter, a child would take them as such until someone tells them different.
I teach junior high, special needs classes. My rule for telling jokes always has been that if you can substitute “silly person” for the specific ethnicity, nationality or religious affiliation then the joke is okay. But they HAD to make the substitution. If the joke is specific to stereotypes of one particular group, then it falls flat if the group is not named, which is the point. I think that most of the blonde jokes and fat jokes can be similarly altered to retain their humor without specifying either group. If they can’t, then they are the kind of joke that should not be told.
Yes, these kinds of jokes have been around forever, however, publishing them on your web site validates them. Please don’t.
I have a thirteen year old grandson who thinks it is funny to make jokes about things like “fat”, “nerds”, etc. His mom responds with “all the kids do it”. However, he has been responsible for bringing pain to his stepbrother, being suspended from school for going too far, and having teachers not like him because of his “mouth”. He has not learned when he has gone too far. Unfortunately;, kids are exposed to insults as humour in print, TV, and movies. They say and do what they have heard. Maybe we need to take reponsibility as adults to address these issues and not expose our kids to some of the hurtful stuff we call “funny”.
Aw, c’mon people, bullies need to get their reading material from somewhere!
I am only 12, but some things, this being one of them, I have very strong opinions about.
I am a christian and I hear a lot of crude language and cursing. That hurts me a lot. Being a christian, I try very hard not to judge people or make fun of them. I believe that people shouldn’t “judge books by their covers”. I have been a new kid at many schools and it is always hard for me to feel like i “fit in” because i am slightly overweight. I am continuously feeling like no one likes me because of how I look.
My point is, “Yo mama” jokes make fun of many people, the overweight people and the moms of all shapes and sizes. People who make fun of people and think that “Yo mama” jokes are funny I think, don’t know what it feels like to not fit in or don’t know how it feels to be made fun of.
The blonde jokes are just as bad because I am blonde and always have been. I am very intelligent and everyone, blonde or not, has dull moments, or “blonde moments”. I don’t know who came up with the statement that blondes are stupid or not so bright, but I don’t appriciate it one bit because everyone has an equal chance to learn and be intelligent and blonde jokes make it harder for blondes to believe it.
I think we have become more aware of the negative qualities of these jokes and how they can lead to teasing and bullying. Yo mama jokes are a dis and while some are clever they can certainly be used to fuel a fight. (Seen it happen)So Im not confortible with these being given to children. Blonde jokes have been around forever and also promote a stereotype that some blondes may try to either emulate or fight against. Tough call but I dont feel they are appropriate for the under 12 set. And are risky for those above.
Susan
Well done to think of sonehtimg like that