We edit many very interesting papers, but so far we haven’t had any humorous ones … it would have been fun to edit this paper.
Co-authored by Nelly Elias of BGU’s Department of Communication Studies, and Dafna Lemish of Rutgers, the study analyzed humor about parenting that has been circulating on Israeli social networks this year. COVID-19, the novel coronavirus that has kept so many of us close to home, has proven to be a rich source of very black humor … and Israelis are experts at the dankest, darkest, black humor.
Of course, lockdown has allowed families to enjoy each other for long periods of extended time, for children to learn about the wonders of organic gardening and artisinal gourmet foods, and for adults to rekindle their love life now they have time together. Or at least, that’s what I see on my social media feeds … all those scrubbed shining faces gazing adoringly at their gorgeous parents.
But there’s a deeper, darker layer of enforced family time … children are bored and stir-crazy, parents are desperately trying to get some work done, and everyone’s just a bit tired of everyone else. It’s led to some pretty cold one-liners, including my personal favorite: “I am really tired of watching my mother’s grandchildren.”
So if anyone’s writing another research paper that can give us a good laugh, get in touch … we’ll be thrilled to edit it for you!