Abstract

In the article are examined the conceptual features of communications of laughter in the context of gender understanding, paying attention at socio cultural determinants of behavioral and functional-role differences represented in folk culture of humor. With the application of the methodology of communicative philosophy, phenomenology, social constructionism and ethnomethodology an analysis of the concept of gender culture of humor as communicative phenomenon in everyday social interaction. A particular attention is drawn to the changed conditions of social reality of the modern post-industrial society, reflecting a profound transformation in the formation of the basic features of personal gender identity, touching upon the importance issues of tolerance, trust, multiculturalism, grades of freedom in society, equal opportunities status, the existing methods of gender self-realization. Basing on the analysis of the conceptual capacity of jokes as a mass popular genre of comic culture the sexual antithesis and gender-expressed cultural and symbolic series of typization of social roles, behavior standards, ways of thinking, value priorities, gender markers etc. are singled. The article notes that anthropo-social nature of laughter in the gender issue contributes to its conceptualization as a social gesture, exposing gender stereotypes and promoting tolerance, gender flexibility and overcoming social backwardness.