In Focus: Are adolescent boys finally becoming mature?

Article by Jeff Wolfthal

New Brunswick, NJ.– Educational researchers at New Jersey’s top university have uncovered a disturbing trend amongst the nation’s adolescents. According to a recent study, 83% of American males between the ages of 11 and 18 no longer find dirty words amusing.

When observed in a classroom context, an alarmingly small number of Students showed any form of humor-based reaction when  words such as ass, cock, or penal were read aloud during a literature class. “I used to have to constantly tell young men in my class to grow up, or to be mature when we read aloud. Now they’re so boring.” Remarked 8th grade literature teacher Diane Barton. “Never in my 27 years working in a catholic school did I think I’d be able to get through the crucifixion without a single giggle.” I guess they’ve finally learned the lesson. So that’s a win, right?

Researcher George Williams believes this trend is due to linguistic desensitization. “For previous generations, these ‘naughty’ words would produce responses of giggles, snickers, chortles, and side whispers in 97% of the 11-18 year old demographic. However, kids these days are used to hearing all kinds of crap at home and on TV. When you hear mom calling dad a pussy, and grandpa a cocksucker, not much becomes shocking, and the comedy of the taboo disappears.”

So are kids growing up faster, or are we destroying comedy by over-inundating them with things that are only funny because they were once forbidden? Comment below with your thoughts.

Jeff Wolfthal spends too much time around teenagers.