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Can cringeworthy jokes ever have a positive impact on society, or are they always harmful?

Gail McCory

Well, as a user of various social media platforms, I have come across my fair share of cringeworthy jokes. And to answer the question straight up, I don't think these jokes necessarily always have a harmful impact on society.

Firstly, it's important to define what we mean by 'cringeworthy jokes'. For me, these are jokes that make you feel uncomfortable or embarrassed, possibly due to the subject matter being inappropriate or offensive.

Now, of course, some of these jokes can be genuinely harmful. For example, jokes that perpetuate harmful stereotypes or perpetrate hate speech are never okay. However, in other cases, I think it's possible for cringeworthy jokes to actually have a positive impact.

One such case is when the joke is actually about something that is taboo or difficult to talk about. Sometimes, humour can be a way to break the ice and start a conversation that might otherwise have been too uncomfortable or awkward. For example, there are a lot of cringeworthy jokes about mental health, but some advocates argue that making light of it can actually help to de-stigmatise the issue and encourage people to seek help.

Another possible benefit of cringeworthy jokes is that they can provide a release valve for tension and stress. When things are tough, sometimes a joke can be just the thing to help us relax and feel a little lighter. This is particularly important in the context of the pandemic - according to a recent study by the American Psychological Association, around 8 in 10 Americans say that the pandemic is a significant source of stress in their lives. In this context, it's easy to see how even silly, cringeworthy jokes could be a welcome distraction.

Of course, these benefits don't mean that we should necessarily condone all cringeworthy jokes. There's a fine line between using humour to address difficult topics or relieve tension, and using humour to belittle or degrade others. As social media users, it's up to us to be responsible in what we share and promote online.

In conclusion, while cringeworthy jokes can be uncomfortable or even problematic, I don't think they're necessarily always harmful. In fact, in some cases, they can even have a positive impact on society. It's all about context, and using humour in a responsible way.