July 6: "It Was Only a Joke"... Was It?
how society shapes the way children and young people see themselves, each other and the world they live in
Most of us can remember jokes from our own school days that make us wince now. Humour is a huge part of growing up; it helps teenagers build friendships, feel part of a group and navigate the awkward moments that come with adolescence. Most of the time, laughter brings people together.
But sometimes, what starts as "just banter" can have a very different impact on the person hearing it.
Today we discuss how repeated jokes, stereotypes and throwaway comments can quietly shape children's understanding of difference, belonging and acceptance. It isn't about taking the fun out of friendships or suggesting young people should never make mistakes. It's about recognising that the words we laugh at can sometimes become the beliefs we carry.
When children learn that everyone deserves to feel respected, they also learn that the kindest jokes are the ones that leave nobody feeling left out or torn down.
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🔔 coming up on The Work Edit:
Rats, carrots and sport!
coming up on Cultural Calendar Club
12 Months of live, inspiring, entertaining talks events, made financially accessible for all organisations
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International Self Care Day: Self‑Care is not negotiable.
Friday 24 July 2026
12:00 13:00
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In this 60‑minute webinar, we’ll dismantle the myth that self‑care is a luxury or an indulgence. Once again, we’ve been sold short-term, capitalist quick fixes—like scented candles and bubble baths—as if they could patch over much deeper, systemic problems.
Real self‑care is far less glamorous and far more powerful. It’s about boundaries. About rest. About tuning into our natural rhythms and creating the space to truly know ourselves.
We often frame self‑care as something we do for others—role‑modelling healthier behaviours, being better colleagues, parents, partners. And yes, that matters. But the deeper truth is this: we don’t need to earn rest or justify our wellbeing. We need to normalise self-love without attaching it to usefulness.
Self‑care is a political act. It's about reclaiming what we all deserve—without guilt—and refusing to burn out while trying to fix the very systems that make it so hard to care for ourselves in the first place. Because access to self-care isn’t equal, and recognising that is part of the work.