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| Yes | 38% | 142 votes | Total: 373 votes | |
| No | 62% | 231 votes |
Yes
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Add to FavoritesI have frequently argued that cultural values are determined by the individual, sort of along the lines of "Guns don't kill people, people kill people." I've argued that violent video games don't create Columbine, and thus, Family Guy and Simpsons, both cartoons that I admit to watching, don't undermine cultural values. That being said, I must say that I am rethinking that stance.
While I still feel that these cartoons don't necessarily undermine values on their own, they do add to a general heaping of garbage that does. One can apply Rudy Giuliani's "Broken Window" postulate to this argument. Suppose there is a building with a broken window. The first day it is just one. If it's not repaired in a week or two, suddenly a second appears. If those are left go for another week or two, people think the building is abandoned and no one cares so within six weeks all the windows are smashed out. However, if that single window is repaired quickly, say within a day or two, you will find no further damage done to that building. Anyone who regularly walks an urban street knows the truth of this postulate.
To follow along with the question, by allowing the Simpsons to push the envelope of good taste and morality without protest, networks have broken their first window. Soon we see Family Guy and South Park appear and there's your second and third broken window. Eventually, television is flooded with similar vulgar and questionable programs and, yes, now we have lowered our cultural norm.
This is true with sex on television and in the movies (compare kisses when you were children to the bumping, grinding, and nudity now prevalent in movies), violence in video games, and any other gradually creeping change in social norms. The first occurrence that goes unchallenged leaves the door open for change, either good or bad. The second occurrence widens the door, and from then on, the horse is out of the barn.
The answer is not to return to the days of network censors. Instead it is to return to the days of societal morality. As parents, leaders, clergy, and people we need to begin to stop watching, stop supporting sponsors, stop buying the games, and stop going to the movies. We don't need organized groups that call for boycotts and regulations, we need to decide where we want to draw the lines as individuals, and stick to them! We need to say enough is enough and stop making these things profitable. It may mean a lifestyle change, but that is better than merely watching the shows because "there's nothing else on." Nothing says we have to watch tv.
Learn more about this author, Kirk W. Johnson.
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No
The Simpsons touches upon, and often satirizes, many cultural issues including religion, politics, and family. Frequently it does this irreverently, but never without affection. The simplest example of this is the character of Flanders, the Simpsons' conservative Christian neighbor. The show does not hesitate to make light of his unmovable faith, and it takes his good natured social behavior to its logical and hilarious extreme. Nevertheless, in the end the audience is meant to feel affection, not scorn for Flanders. To a lesser degree, the audience is even meant to develop a compassionate understanding of him. The same can be said for almost every character in the show, whether it's the clueless policeman, the scheming millionaire, or the immigrant who runs the convenience store. In this way, the Simpsons not only respects culture, but even celebrates it.
Further, the Simpsons regularly encourages many family values. Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie aren't meant to be a perfect family, but they do have their hearts in the right place. Sure, no one wants their kid to be the brat that Bart is, but even he frequently displays integrity, loyalty, and feeling. The episodes that express simple morals are countless, whether they are about not stealing cable TV or realizing that nothing is more important than your wife and kids.
This does not mean that the Simpsons is appropriate or intended for family viewing. It often deals with themes and issues that many parents wouldn't want their younger children exposed to. However, this is no different from the majority of movies and even books. It does not mean the show undermines any values, only that not every episode is meant to be watched by everyone.
Of course, the Simpsons is one of the lighter adult cartoons. Not every show has the same good intentions. Family Guy, for example, routinely takes a venomous attitude towards beliefs and characters. The issues and content are not necessarily more mature or offensive than in the Simpsons, but the manner they are dealt with is full of spite. Family Guy has no problem attacking traditional Christian values. Conservative or Christian characters are nearly always displayed as stupid, mean, and bigoted. Family Guy has its own agenda to push and it does so by whatever means it can. While the show can be funny, it is often hard not to view it as corruptive.
In deciding whether a cartoon is morally repugnant or not, it is important not just to look at its content or the issues which it satirizes. The attitude with which the satire is delivered is far more important. This attitude determines whether the satire is affectionate and harmless, or spiteful and undermining.
Learn more about this author, Nathanael Hellerman.
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