The Pitfalls and Possibilities of Laughter—Sustainability in the Light of Parental Collaboration involving Refugee Parents

Abstract

The aim of this article is to explore how laughter is played out in parental collaboration between ECEC practitioners and refugee parents. This part of the communication is seen in relation to the terms of ECEC practices regarding social and cultural sustainability, operationalised as inclusive institutions that enable parents’ participation and the sense of belonging. The study includes six days of observation during delivery and pick-up in the hallway of a Norwegian ECEC practice, and observation of one parents meeting. Four communication sequences are interpreted in the light of theories regarding laughter and different aspects of social and cultural sustainability. The findings suggest that laughter might contribute to strengthening relationships between ECEC practitioners and refugee parents. However, laughter can also create boundaries between the collaborators, leading to a notion of “us” and “them.” The article suggests that ECEC practitioners reflect upon their use of laughter in communication with minority parents and take cultural aspects into consideration, in order to enable equal participation and achieve social and cultural sustainability.