An introduction to jokes and rude rhymes
Channel: British Library
Date: 2016-10-13

Jokes, taunts, parodies, and rude rhymes will always form a significant part of childhood play, despite some inevitable adult disapproval. References to farts, bums, bras, sex, belching, pregnancy, babies and swearing, while mostly employed to entertain and impress others, also allow children to explore adult themes within a secure environment.

Turning the adult world on its head, children create and impart their own opinions on this culture through their humour. For instance, they frequently mock the media, parodying TV jingles, advertisements and well-known characters. Although the media has often been perceived as a danger to childhood innocence, the fact that children stamp these re-enactments with their own particular nuances indicates that young audiences may not be as passive as many fear.

Introduction by Michael Rosen.

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