The Simpsons and Its Influence in Society
American popular culture has a tremendous effect on everyday people. It is a fact that they get most of their information about the world through American films and television shows whether they want them or not. The popular television series, ‘The Simpson’s’ can be seen as an example of an American popular culture that has radically affected not only America but the whole world. It has brought a representation of the American family across the world, and with it, expressed important issues and matters that concern our society no matter where the show is watched.
The Simpsons is a satire, but despite any good intentions many of the general public see it as “subversive and ultimately harmful to their own well being” (Eric Garrison, 2001). In 1992 President George Bush stated that: “The Simpsons is a bad influence on children.” Some critics even think that the show should be taken off the air. One of the main issues that some of the public holds against the show is stereotyping and the way religion is handled, how other razes and their beliefs are mistreated, no matter if it’s a Hindu or Hispanic character.
When criticizing the Simpson family many people turn to Bart the son, as the greatest corrupter of the American familial ideal. Bart does not obey his parents do his homework or clean his room. His motto “underachiever and proud of it” made its way out of the mouths and onto the shirts of kids across the. Parents and school teachers nationwide have explained that Bart’s disrespectful thoughts and actions are hardly what American children should use as a model.
The question of family values within The Simpson’s has also been under criticism. In the first few years Homer Simpson was the well to do dad and admirable as well, but soon Homer is transformed from a hard working Dad, to a sloppy lazy Dad who barely cares about his son Bart. “Gone is that Dad that works hard to pay for the family’s debts, replacing him is Parody Homer.” (Eric Garrison, 2001) In
The Simpsons is a satire, but despite any good intentions many of the general public see it as “subversive and ultimately harmful to their own well being” (Eric Garrison, 2001). In 1992 President George Bush stated that: “The Simpsons is a bad influence on children.” Some critics even think that the show should be taken off the air. One of the main issues that some of the public holds against the show is stereotyping and the way religion is handled, how other razes and their beliefs are mistreated, no matter if it’s a Hindu or Hispanic character.
When criticizing the Simpson family many people turn to Bart the son, as the greatest corrupter of the American familial ideal. Bart does not obey his parents do his homework or clean his room. His motto “underachiever and proud of it” made its way out of the mouths and onto the shirts of kids across the. Parents and school teachers nationwide have explained that Bart’s disrespectful thoughts and actions are hardly what American children should use as a model.
The question of family values within The Simpson’s has also been under criticism. In the first few years Homer Simpson was the well to do dad and admirable as well, but soon Homer is transformed from a hard working Dad, to a sloppy lazy Dad who barely cares about his son Bart. “Gone is that Dad that works hard to pay for the family’s debts, replacing him is Parody Homer.” (Eric Garrison, 2001) In
Bibliography: - Garrison, E. (2001) A reflection of society and a message on family. The Simpsons archive, 12 November 2001. - Groening, M. (1997) The Simpsons: a complete guide to our favorite family. London: Harper Collins Publishers. - Bryant, J.A. and Bryant, J. (2001) Television and the American Family. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Enlbaum Associates.