The case for humor as a parenting tool: Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine surveyed a group of people between eighteen and forty-five. More than one-half said they were raised by people who used humor and of those fifty percent said they had a good relationship with their parents. On the other hand, of those who said their parents did not use humor, only about three percent reported a good relationship with their parents. Professor Benjamin Levi, senior author of the study says the stark differences between the two groups was unexpected. Authors of the article in the journal PLOS One suggest humor can help diffuse tension and help both parent and child feel better about a stressful situation.