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The Simpsons Break TV Record As America's Families Break Apart

by Bob Larranaga  
2/27/2009 / Family

The Simpsons animated comedy about America's most dysfunctional family will soon become the longest-running prime-time series in US TV history. Currently in its 20th season, the series has been extended for two more years, breaking the record of the Western series Gunsmoke, which ended in 1975.

In the intervening years, we have witnessed many changes in society's attitudes toward marriage and the family.

Sixty-five percent of the current U.S. population was born after the first episode of the Simpsons aired. The new generation's views about the institution of marriage and the family are the result of circumstances that simply did not exist back then.

According to the New York Times, the latest census figures show that for the first time intact families are in a minority in U.S. households. More than half of all women are living without a spouse -- they have never married, been divorced, separated or live apart from their husbands. The number of unmarried couples living together has also soared to more than 5.2 million. Today, 34 percent of all children are born out of wedlock.

Ironically, the Simpson family has remained intact through the intervening years. But many young people, who grew up laughing at the antics of Homer and Bart, harbor for a variety of reasons a cynical attitude toward marriage and long-term commitments. Some young people see marriage as an outmoded institution.

Yet decades of research studies have shown that married couples are actually happier, healthier and live longer lives than their non-married counterparts. Children raised in an intact family do better in school and are less likely to experiment with drugs, alcohol or sex; and they are less likely to engage in criminal activity.

The central figure of human history, Jesus, was raised in an intact family. Like all families, they had their share of troubles, even fleeing for their very lives at one point. But Jesus' parents stayed together and worked together to make sure that He grew physically and spiritually. He learned the importance of love and respect at Mary's knee. He was taught the value of self-discipline and hard work in His father's carpentry shop. He discovered the meaning of self-sacrifice, commitment and trust in the way that His parents cared for one another. Above all, He learned how to pray.

The family that prays together stays together.

Copyright 2009 Spiritual Kindling

Bob Larranaga is an author, blogger and webmaster at http://www.spiritualkindling.com, home of Inspiring Scriptures, Famous Quotes, Free Sermons, Prayer and Christian Fellowship. To exchange reciprocal links email [email protected].

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