Sexist humour does not exist in a vacuum. Instead, it reflects and shapes social norms.

Saying "it's just a joke" overlooks the psychological impact of sexist humour.

Men play a crucial role in challenging misogyny when it appears in public life.

In the space of a few days, two male public figures offered radically different messages about women. On "Saturday Night Live," comedian Shane Gillis used his monologue to discuss women’s gym wear and announce that he "didn’t know women just dressed like whores now."

Shortly after this, actor, writer, and comedian Dan Levy responded on Instagram, challenging Gillis and arguing that a woman's choice of clothing does not justify degrading sexual labels. Levy went on to highlight the misogyny of the monologue and argued that more men should challenge the objectification of women rather than remain silent, especially when it occurs on a widely viewed public stage like SNL.

So Why Does This Matter?

You could argue that this is simply comedy doing what it's always done—provoking, offending, and pushing boundaries. But context matters: Women don’t experience these jokes in a world free from harassment, objectification, sexual violence, and abuse. They experience them in a culture where being reduced to a body, a sexual stereotype, or an object of male commentary remains commonplace.

The same week that public discussion focused on allegations emerging from Cornell University—including reports that an unconscious young woman was reportedly offered up for sex in a fraternity Snapchat—it seems reasonable to ask whether a primetime comedy show joking about women as "whores" moves us forward or simply reinforces problematic attitudes.

Humour Is Never Just Humour

When people........

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