April Fools

By Alectra Rose

April Fools’ Day is an annual custom on April 1st, consisting of practical jokes and hoaxes. April Fools’ has been celebrated for several centuries by various cultures, though its origins remain unknown. While its history is shrouded in mystery, the embrace of April Fools' Day jokes by the media and major brands has ensured the unofficial holiday’s long life. A lot of people have mixed feelings about April Fools' Day. Some love it, they get to prank others and have a good laugh. Then some hate it, they don’t think it's funny to prank others or make jokes that could hurt themself or others. 

April Fools’ Day is filled with both good and bad pranks. On one hand, it’s a chance to share laughter, joy, and harmless jokes with family/friends. However, it's important to remember not all jokes can be funny to everyone. Some can be harmful or cross the line for others, causing embarrassment or distress. A YouGov poll conducted March 20-21 found that 45 percent of U.S. adults are amused by the holiday’s pranks, compared to 47 percent who find these jokes annoying. Adults under 30 are the only age group to say they are more amusing than annoyed. However, most of the group that find it amusing are men, 60 percent of men find humor in the shenanigans, and only 42 percent of women in the age range said the same.

A respondent who found pranks annoying said, “If there were a way I could go back in time and stop whatever 1500’s peasant decided to come up with that genius idea, I would. April Fools’ Day is arguably one of the worst holidays invented.” According to https://www.uiargonaut.com/2021/03/31/opinion-a-criticism-behind-april-fools-day/, many think it's useless and none of the jokes are funny.

“Not only does the holiday encourage laughter, it also strengthens bonds people have with one another,” reported Edith Turner, an anthropologist at the University of Virginia who died June 18, 2016. Harmless pranks are a great way to break the ice and keep relationships fun and trusting. She also says, “April Fools can help people take their friendships to new heights and potentially even spark new friendships.” For some people, the world is viewed as not so serious. Pranks are always being pulled and almost nothing is taken literally.