Skip to main content Skip to bottom nav

Is it okay for my family to make fun of me?

30 Answers
Last Updated: 03/17/2020 at 1:35am
Perfect therapy for people who need help. I would like to say, I never can imagine it could be possible to heal people like that
Moderated by

Evelyn Coker, MSW, LCSW

Clinical Social Work/Therapist

I am down to earth and enjoy working with all clients. I have a special passion to support teen girls and women. My work is nonjudgmental and provides a safe space to grow.

Top Rated Answers
Carin
September 21st, 2015 9:27pm
No, it's not. Your family is supposed to make you feel good about yourself, not make you feel bad.
Ozzury
June 29th, 2015 4:44pm
In my opinion i believe its not okay for anyone to make fun of anyone! even if its family! ive gone through it myself.
Alwaysdreamin
April 15th, 2015 11:02pm
I grew up like this. I had older siblings and everyone made fun of me. It hurt. My perception was that they were trying to hurt me on purpose when I was younger. Now, I perceive it as they were just having fun, but it was still at my expense. I don't believe they meant to hurt me. Does that make it right? Not necessarily, this is up to you and what you are willing to allow in your life. If you do not like it, then could you speak up and tell them that is important for them to stop. You also could reflect to see how this is affecting you and then set some boundaries with your family.
neonMaple8404
May 20th, 2015 8:22pm
I was made fun of really bad when I was younger. It really made me insecure and depressed. Or added to the depression I already had. You should tell them how you feel because anything someone says or does to you that hurts you or upsets you is not okay.
Rainforest1206
January 11th, 2015 6:14pm
It is not okay for the to make fun of you. If you dont like it you need to tell them. They need to know how it is making you feel and how it is affecting you. If you struggle to talk to them about this try writing them a note.
cosmicdreamer08
February 10th, 2016 6:12am
If the jokes are making you feel bad about yourself, then no, it's not okay. You could try to say something about it to your family and talk it out. There could be chance they don't know they are hurting you. Bringing it up might clear up any concerns you have.
Anonymous
October 27th, 2015 3:17pm
No its not okay until it is truly a joke. Joking and making fun about a person might make you feel totally worthless. And if your family is doing that please stand up for yourself. Don't let yourself get bullied-family or not. Live life the way its supposed to be lived. :)
Greatlistener87
April 25th, 2016 1:41am
Depends what kinda fun. If its fun that you are okay with like just pulling your legs kinda fun then thats okay, But if it turns to bullying or leaving your emotions damaged then its not okay.
KimberlyMusic
April 25th, 2015 4:01am
Absolutely not. While you may or may not have the best relationship with your family members, there is no reason or excuse for them to ever make fun of you. Family should not intentionally cause each other emotional distress, no matter what the functional level of the relationship may be.
AcornCactus
June 29th, 2015 2:01pm
If it's something innocent and a joke you can laugh about too, then yes. If it clearly makes you more uncomfortable than it should and focus's on your weight/gender/sexuality/grades/job/etc, than no
Anonymous
February 1st, 2016 11:36am
Sometimes people tease each other in good humor. But if it's making you sad, let them know. If they keep teasing you knowing it's making you sad, then it's not okay at all.
Samalyn
August 10th, 2015 3:12am
If it is making you feel uncomfortable or bringing you down you should tell them you don't appreciate it, and if they don't stop then it's not okay.
DigitalDesu
May 6th, 2015 1:35am
That depends on your situation. If you're messing around then just laugh with them, if they're serious then it's not okay and you should talk with them about your feelings about it.
Anonymous
June 14th, 2016 9:48am
No, its not okay for your family to make fun of you if it hurts your feelings. Hurting others' feelings is wrong.
Jenn20
March 17th, 2020 1:35am
Hmm I don't think so. They are the most important people in your life and the words they say to you really affect you, so they should consider what they say to their family. Sometimes it's okay if it's light-hearted and not extended to hurt someone. But I a good healthy family should understand what's right and what's wrong. But that's my opinion and I'm sure others agree too. If it hurts you, them making fun of you. I think you should speak to someone you trust about this matter because it's not good to keep it in. Wish you the best 💖
Anonymous
September 6th, 2016 8:22am
It is never appropriate for anyone to make fun of others if they really don't like to be mocked in a specific
ActiveListener0809
November 2nd, 2015 11:29pm
If you are not comfortable with the situation then it is best to share those feelings so that the behavior is adjusted. Some people can be intending to be funny and not understand that words can be hurtful.
Joye74
March 19th, 2019 2:35am
I don't think so. It sounds hurtful, if you cannot accept. If you can make the joke on them or fire back on them that's different. But, not many people are well trained or equipped to respond. It creates depression and maybe anxiety. So it is worth letting them know that how you feel and would not like to be the subject for their unfriendly discussion. If the discussion continue, it is better to leave the scene and ignore. We don't have control on all family members opinion, choice of topic or intention. My best defense used to be showing off strong indifferent attitude--as if nothing I heard. even though I used to get hurt but pretended either I didn't hear or didn't care.
Sisterkeeper7
July 10th, 2018 11:19pm
Of Coarse family is family it's a different way of them showing you they love you and care for you although it might disturb you if it gets to the point of them upsetting you you should let them know talking with family should be the easiest because they're the ones that care about you the most
Mewp
February 12th, 2018 9:23pm
As long as it is just poking fun and that is understood by all of the parties involved, than yes it is okay. However if that is not the case then there is absolutely no reason for it to be happening
tjb28
September 4th, 2017 6:11pm
Some families do tease eachother and joke around bur if it's all the time you may need to tell them how you feel and this makes you feel unhappy
PeacefulTree63
September 4th, 2017 1:52am
It is never okay for someone to make fun of you if it is seriously hurting your feelings and they might think they are fooling around and joking. It is important that you make sure they know it is not funny and should be stopped.
Sunshine201
March 7th, 2017 2:14pm
It is okay only if they know that it doesn't hurt you, if they continue to do so, even after knowing your objection to it, then it's not okay. A family do indulge in fun time, making fun, cracking jokes about each other, but it also understand your feelings, your clear objection to any action, that is hurtful to you,
LubaKosmonaut
March 15th, 2016 10:46pm
If you feel bad about it, then it is not okay. If you feel hurt by their words, they don't get to tell you that you're not. If you don't think it's funny, then it's not funny.
JinkzKitty
June 7th, 2015 8:38pm
No. It is never okay for anyone to make sure of you for whatever you may be struggling from, regardless of if you told them about it yourself or they found out another way.
BeInJoy
February 8th, 2016 3:13am
It is ok for your family to "poke fun" as long as you are laughing with them. It is NOT ok for them to make you feel inferior or subjugated. If you feel what they are doing is causing you harm, then no it is absolutely not ok.
lovelyLake94
December 15th, 2015 2:40am
it would depend. If it on the serious matter then no, absolutely not. But if you were to fall, laugh and joke about it then yes:)
macauley
November 24th, 2015 3:06am
Depends how so. A lot of people make fun at everyone. With them it's mutual and healthy and not serious. If they're genuinely upsetting you then it's probably a good idea to let them know how much it's hurting you. If you're genuinely upset then any good family would stop as soon as they found out.
royalJoy23
October 26th, 2015 2:35am
It's not but sometimes family members can be mistaken for making fun of someone close when they were trying to tease them!
Anonymous
June 6th, 2016 9:14pm
I think it depends on the manner the teasing is being delivered. If you find yourself laughing with them because it's more funny than it is hurtful, then I think it's okay. However if you find that what they're saying is hurtful and is impacting your mental wellbeing, that is not okay.