ABSTRACT
The ability to laugh at oneself in the face of adversity has long served humanity in its fight to sustain psychic balance during times of crisis. It is well known that oppressed peoples have commonly used humor to express their shared understanding of their plight. Humor also is used often as a coping mechanism to deal with emotionally charged issues. Humor can effectively disarm the entrenched, enable the terrified to confront their fears, ease the vulnerability associated with newness, and minimize events that feels overwhelming. Sometimes the overwhelming feelings of distress at the situations of life simply need to be alleviated by recognizing the absurdity of it all. Sarcastic humor, with its natural element of hostility, can be more damaging than healing. The humor in their exchange provides relief from the overwhelming burden of caregiving and also allows for catharsis.
