The popular American TV cartoon "The Simpsons" is universally and consistently described as America's, or TV's, "favorite dysfunctional family." So it was in the July 12 Associated Press article "Vermont town named home of 'The Simpsons.' "
However, I think it is a completely and demonstrably false description, for the Simpson family is, in fact, eminently functional. But in America's self-centered culture, claiming "dysfunction" has become a pop diagnosis of all manner of ills and thus, not unexpectedly, the word has come to be misused as its perceived meaning evolves. American culture is conspicuously self-centered, brazenly self-promoting and crassly allergic to individual responsibility and good taste. Claiming "dysfunction" is an easy way to avoid responsibility while courting publicity and pity. I don't mean that the culture is bad, depraved or corrupt for any of that. That's just what it is.
Homer Simpson is cartoonishly stupid. But he is successfully employed and married. He keeps his family housed, fed and clothed. He attends church. His children are in school without any conflict with the law. And by the end of each episode of the show, Homer and Bart always do the right thing.
Furthermore, the Springfield community is a functioning multicultural town reflecting modern America -- or, at least, exposing the persistent stereotypes used by Americans when imagining and making fun of themselves. You have the working class Homer, Hindu store keeper, Jewish entertainer, Christian fundamentalist, African American and Asian American doctors, corrupt politician, Italian mobsters, local millionaire, closeted gay guy, school bully, and more.
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