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WHY HOMER'S THE WORLD'S BEST DAD
The Mirror (U.K.) ^ | 02/05/2002 | Emma Hibbs

Posted on 02/05/2002 10:19:27 AM PST by Pokey78

HE'S the head of a famously dysfunctional family, he's a drunk, and he's far too fat - he's even been vilified by former President George Bush.

But this week DR KRIS JOZAJTIS, a lecturer in religious and film studies at Stirling University, will urge teachers to use Homer Simpson as a role model for children.

Here Kris, a father of four, reveals how Homer is shaping young morals - for the better.

HOMER Simpson is a great dad to his three children. As our youngsters grow up in a world where image is everything, Homer is an antidote to the superficial.

He isn't bothered what he looks like or what people think about him - he simply cares about his family and trying to do the right thing.

For instance, in one episode of The Simpsons, Homer's son Bart comes home from school moaning that he doesn't get all the computer games that his friends do.

Many parents today will understand just what that pressure is like.

But rather than dashing out and trying to offset his parental guilt with expensive presents, Homer makes his son laugh by clowning around.

By doing that, he shows he is able to give Bart what all children want more than anything - time and attention.

He also impresses upon his child that there is more to life than material goods.

Homer, a manual labourer in a nuclear power plant, is an individualist who teaches his kids not to worry too much about what others think of them.

He manages to chart his own course to avoid peer group pressure.

One of the ways he stands out from the crowd is by refusing to go to church. In one episode he skips Sunday service and has the best day of his life, while his wife Marge, fearful for his soul, prays fervently for him.

Then Homer sees God in a dream and says: "I'm a good man, I care about my kids - why do I have to go to church and be told I'm going to hell?"

God agrees with him and says: "You've got a point there."

Homer has proved it is possible to be good without having to go to church.

To his kids - Bart, Lisa and Maggie - and to children everywhere, Homer shows the right thing to do is to act from your heart.

The Simpson family have often been described as dysfunctional by politicians, moral campaigners and pundits.

This seems to be based on Bart's rebelliousness and Homer's love of beer and TV. But the fact that the Simpson family is not perfect is what makes them so influential for our children.

They are a family with real failings who have real problems just like the rest of us. And, just like the rest of us, they try to muddle through.

Homer's concern for his children's worries, however minor, is something many of us busy parents could do well to emulate.

In one episode, Lisa doesn't get the part she wants in the school play. Homer helps her realise that every part is important, however small.

That's what life's about. Making children appreciate we all have a role to play in society however great or small.

There is also strong communication within the Simpson family, something often missing in our hectic real lives.

These characters eat meals together, chat and laugh. It's a social occasion which is often missing from households today, where everyone runs to their own timetables.

Homer is a great parent because he would do anything for his kids. Most importantly, Bart, Lisa and Maggie know this.

There is an episode in which Homer and Marge are found to be unfit parents because they've gone off to a health spa, leaving Bart, Lisa and Maggie with grandpa.

As a result the kids are taken away and sent to live with the next-door neighbours, born-again Christians, the Flanders family.

Homer reproaches himself for being a terrible father and undergoes a parenting class. In the confusion that follows he becomes baptised by accident.

But the point is that for all their shortcomings Homer and Marge are prepared to do anything for their kids - and the youngsters love them for that.

Bart and Lisa realise their parents may not be educated enough to have all the answers to their questions. But Homer and Marge are honest about what they don't know - and what they do.

That honesty, so critical in a good relationship between parents and children, enables Homer to maintain the respect of his kids even when he is being at his most stupid.

In one episode, Homer admits that he is no good at Maths and Lisa is delighted when he enlists her help to put bets on football. Lisa feels fulfilled and needed.

Respect means that Homer doesn't have to be a tyrant in his own home. All parents can learn from Homer's ability to control his kids without yelling or using bribery.

Homer is clearly not the brightest of characters but he is a great dad because he cares and tries to understand who his children are and why they do what they do.

When Bart gets drunk, the neighbours are outraged. But Homer recognises some of himself in Bart's actions. He knows it was an accident.

He is not quick to condemn without considering how he himself might have acted at the same age in a similar situation.

And Homer is a hands-on dad, too. He'll happily pick up crying baby Maggie and feed her a bottle.

As a "boyish man" it's natural for Homer to do activities with Bart, such as seeing a baseball game together.

But it takes a mental leap for him to realise that it is just as important to spend time with Lisa, who sometimes feels neglected.

She's a bright spark but still needs fatherly attention. So he has heart-to-heart chats with her and goes to concerts to hear her play her saxophone.

Homer shows how all children deserve, and need, attention from their parents if they are to develop into confident adults.

Homer may not always get the actions right but he cares about his kids, listens to them and is honest with them.

We can all learn a lot from that.

Interview by EMMA HIBBS

mirrorfeatures@mgn.co.uk


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial
KEYWORDS:
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1 posted on 02/05/2002 10:19:27 AM PST by Pokey78
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To: Pokey78
what more can one say?
2 posted on 02/05/2002 10:23:56 AM PST by mlmr
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To: Pokey78
Doh!

The episode where Lisa babysits older brother Bart, here is the exchange...

Lisa: "BART, go to bed." moments later...

Bart is sitting at the table eating bread.

Lisa: "Bart, I told you to go to bed."

Bart: "No you didn't. You said go to BREAD."

Bart continues to eat bread.

3 posted on 02/05/2002 10:25:13 AM PST by MotleyGirl70
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To: Pokey78

4 posted on 02/05/2002 10:25:20 AM PST by aomagrat
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To: Pokey78
One of the funniest episodes is where the family goes to Dr. Marvin Monroe and gets hooked up to an electro-shock therapy thing.

Just testing.

5 posted on 02/05/2002 10:27:54 AM PST by aomagrat
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To: 7sonofRN
Go on and comment
6 posted on 02/05/2002 10:31:25 AM PST by RnMomof7
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To: aomagrat
Another good one...

The one where Homer is led up the mountain for the powerbar company by two Sherpas.

And he rides down the hill using that one frozen guy as a tabogon.

7 posted on 02/05/2002 10:32:22 AM PST by MotleyGirl70
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To: Pokey78
Homer, a manual labourer in a nuclear power plant, is an individualist who teaches his kids not to worry too much about what others think of them.

Ummmm....Homer is a saftey inspector. This is not manual laborer. The author tries to pull out of context to prove his point....but the whole picture is a different story. I can pull things out of context that show Homer is a terrible parent. In last nights re-run he was Internet sleuth Mr. X. While absorbed in this, Bart tells Homer that he has been suspended and they found a knife and that he is angry all the time. Homer pays him no attention.

Don't get me wrong, but I hate when people try to find a deep meaning of nothing. I love Homer....but I won't say that he is this or that because he is nothing but paper cuttouts and a varying array of different writers.

8 posted on 02/05/2002 10:32:58 AM PST by francisandbeans
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To: Pokey78
All parents can learn from Homer's ability to control his kids without yelling or using bribery.

Has this guy ever watched the show? Homer yelling "Why you...!" while choking Bart is one of the ongoing gags. Nice take on a funny show, but it's a reach.

9 posted on 02/05/2002 10:33:34 AM PST by m1911
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To: Pokey78
Yet more evidence that the liberal mind is so shot through with chaos and pathos that putting together any type of cognitive argument is well beyond its capacity.

Fact and reality whiz by their comprehension like raindrops in a hurricane. The resulting perception of the world around them is composed of largely missing information and poorly arranged “thought”.

Owl_Eagle

”Guns Before Butter.”

10 posted on 02/05/2002 10:33:44 AM PST by End Times Sentinel
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To: Pokey78
Its funny cause its true.

Nu-cu-lar. Its pronounced, Nu-cu-lar.

11 posted on 02/05/2002 10:33:56 AM PST by Portnoy
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To: Pokey78
Mmmmmmmmm. Floor pie.
12 posted on 02/05/2002 10:34:51 AM PST by BikerNYC
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To: MotleyGirl70
I saw that one last night. FWIW, they're starting to release the episodes on DVD. $29 a season, but only releasing one season every few months. Don't remember when I laughed so hard
13 posted on 02/05/2002 10:35:06 AM PST by billbears
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To: francisandbeans
I agree with almost all of what you said, F&B, with the exception of

but I won't say that he is this or that because he is nothing but paper cuttouts and a varying array of different writers

Any character represents something. Even a goof like Homer. But man, good father he ain't.

14 posted on 02/05/2002 10:36:54 AM PST by Hegewisch Dupa
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To: Pokey78
A bump for the HOmega Man.
15 posted on 02/05/2002 10:37:40 AM PST by El Sordo
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To: francisandbeans; Discostu; Hans Moleman
The author tries to pull out of context to prove his point....but the whole picture is a different story. . . .

Simpsons ping!

This is some of the most amazing taking out of context I've ever seen! I absolutely LOVE the Simpsons, and about half of this is just skewed. (And it's really poorly written - it reads like an eighth-grader wrote it.)

That one episode where Homer decides not to go to church is an isolated incident (but it's hilarious). Homer never again skips church. Actually, the Simpsons are the only sitcom family who go to church every Sunday.
16 posted on 02/05/2002 10:38:01 AM PST by Xenalyte
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To: Pokey78
Apu and Homer travel to India to meet the CEO of Quickie Mart. CEO: You may ask me three question.

Apu: Thats great cause I only have one.

Homer: Are you REALLY the head of the quickie mart?

CEO: Yes

Homer: Really ?

CEO: Yes

Homer: You?

CEO: Thank you come again.

There is no doubt in my mind that Homer is a brilliant man.

17 posted on 02/05/2002 10:38:14 AM PST by michaelje
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To: billbears
Simpsons DVDs? Cool. :)
18 posted on 02/05/2002 10:38:35 AM PST by hchutch
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To: francisandbeans
...he is nothing but paper cuttouts and a varying array of different writers.

You really know how to hurt a guy.

19 posted on 02/05/2002 10:39:21 AM PST by Homer_J_Simpson
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To: Pokey78
Thanks, I'm sending this home so maybe I'll be allowed to watch them tonight with "The Boy".
20 posted on 02/05/2002 10:39:25 AM PST by stevio
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