- More than one-third (36%) of students say political correctness is detrimental to comedy.
- A majority (52%) of students say sexual assault is not OK to joke about, but female students are twice as likely as male students to say so (66% vs 31%).
- While 6 in 10 (60%) students believe offensive jokes can constitute hate speech, Democratic students are far more likely than Republican students to agree (76% vs. 36%).
Political correctness on college campuses has dominated the national conversation in recent years. And how today’s students view controversial jokes shines a light on how they think political correctness impacts the entertainment industry, as well as how that debate seeps into their personal lives.
A new survey of 2,000 undergraduates finds that almost two-thirds (64%) of students believe comedians can be successful without making offensive jokes, but more than one-third (36%) say political correctness is detrimental to comedy. However, students’ views differ across lines of gender and political leaning. Male students are significantly more likely than female students to say political correctness hurts comedy (54% vs 24%). And Republican students are more likely than Democratic students to agree (59% vs 20%).
Republicans are More Likely to say Political Correctness Hurts Comedy
Which of the following statements comes closest to your view, even if neither is exactly right?
There are similar political divides when it comes to whether the same rules of political correctness that apply to everyday life also apply to comedic performances. While about 4 in 10 students say either the same rules do not apply (40%) or it depends (42%), nearly two-thirds (65%) of Republican students say they do not apply. By comparison, 3 in 10 (30%) Democratic students agree.
Students largely believe jokes can cross the line and potentially cause harm, however. A majority of students say offensive jokes can promote stereotypes (69%) and constitute hate speech (60%). Yet there’s disagreement across political leaning: 76% of Democrats believe jokes can constitute hate speech, compared to 36% of Republicans.
Female students and Democratic students are also significantly more likely than their peers to say it’s inappropriate to joke about controversial or sensitive topics. Although a majority (52%) of students say sexual assault is not OK to joke about, female students are twice as likely as male students to say so (66% vs 31%). Additionally, female students are twice as likely to say comedians should not joke about abortion (30% vs 15%) or fatal tragedies (44% vs 23%). Just 17% of female students say no topics are off the table, compared to more than half (52%) of male students.
Male Students are More Likely to Say Comedians Can Joke About Any Topic
What, if anything, do you think is NOT ok for comedians to joke about? Select all that apply.
At the same time, Republican students are far more likely than Democratic students to say sensitive topics are acceptable to joke about (50% vs. 19%). While nearly one-third (32%) of Republican students say comedians should not joke about sexual assault, about two-thirds (66%) of Democratic students agree.
Students overall see a distinction between someone joking about their own identity versus making fun of groups they do not belong to. Only 3% of students say it is not OK for a comedian to joke about their own race, while 26% say it is not OK for comedians to joke about other races. Similarly, 4% of students say a comedian shouldn’t joke about their own sexual orientation, compared to 21% who say they shouldn’t joke about other sexual orientations.
On a more personal level, a majority of students have experienced jokes targeting some aspect of their identity. Almost two-thirds (64%) of students report that their gender, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation is often the punchline to a joke. Race is a major factor, as black students are far more likely than white students to say some aspect of their identity is often a punchline (86% vs. 56%).
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Methodology: This survey was designed and conducted by College Pulse. Interviews were conducted among a sample of 2,000 full-time and part-time students attending four-year colleges or universities in the U.S. who are part of College Pulse’s American College Student Panel.
