JOURNAL ARTICLE

Needed Armor: The Importance of Seeking Humor and Laughter in Reading.

  • Published In: International Review of Qualitative Research, 2025, v. 18, n. 1. P. 150 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Montelongo, Ricardo 3 of 3

Abstract

This article examines the historical skepticism toward humor and laughter in philosophical and scholarly thought and argues for their important role in both scholarly and pleasure reading practices. It highlights how humor, found in diverse genres such as social media memes, creative nonfiction, and autoethnography, provides intellectual engagement, critical reflection, and emotional resilience, especially amid societal challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and social injustices. Drawing on educational philosophy and examples from humorists and scholars, the article contends that incorporating humor into reading enriches understanding of complex social issues and fosters hope, joy, and a deeper grasp of human experience. Ultimately, it advocates for reconsidering humor's place in academia as a valuable tool for insight and connection.

Additional Information

  • Source:International Review of Qualitative Research. 2025/05, Vol. 18, Issue 1, p150
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Consumer Health
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:1940-8447
  • DOI:10.1177/19408447251319430
  • Accession Number:183862953
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of International Review of Qualitative Research is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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