Sit Homo Semper Fieri Joculator Pro Mulieribus?

That is to ask, "Is man always to be the jester for woman?"

It is a question I pose after a discussion had on Facebook regarding whether men are funnier than women. It came about when one who commented noted that men commonly try to be funny at parties, and do what they can to make women laugh. I noted that this is mostly observing a general manner or behavior in particular situations, such as in performing for entertainment, or at a party.

Interesting enough, especially since liberals are claimed to commonly be the experts in entertainment, how it is that they put men and women into boxes so easily - of the goofy husband that will humiliate himself for laughs, and the woman who is the only sensible person in the room, and even at parties would never assume the place of jester, because that's only for men.

Oh course, I come from a male perspective on this because, well, I'm a man. While I don't think there's anything wrong with a man making a woman laugh, I do think that our society pushes the role of jester on men to the point where it's the only caricature that will be accepted as masculine - or its the only way that men can get attention, by looking goofy or acting, well, stupid. How dare a man even show any ounce of intelligence or backbone, or any actual dignity that comes from being a man? He must be always the jester and pay his homage to women by making them laugh, or he is no "real" man™.

But really, these sorts of discourses return me back to the market place analogy that Christ gave:

"But how shall I esteem this generation and what it is like? It is like children sitting in the market place, who, crying to their companions, say, 'We have piped for you, and you have not danced. We have lamented, and you have not mourned.' For John came neither eating nor drinking; and they say, 'He hath a devil.' The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Behold a man that is a glutton and a wine drinker, a friend of publicans and sinners.' And wisdom is justified by her children." (Matt. 11:16-19, see also Mark 7:31-35)

And yet, between John and Jesus as the Son of Man, both are examples of men. And I'm sure John the Baptist could smile, even crack a joke, but we know him for being a serious person. Of course Jesus is more than a man, being God dwelling among us, who we might expect to always be serious, but yet he will go to parties and show joy among sinners. He shows humility, but does not degrade what it means for him to be the Son of Man and the Son of God.

But the point is, there is more to being a man than being a jester. I refuse to let the entertainment industry, or any industry lay claim to the definition of man to one simple caricature.