The Simpsons and Why Their Lifestyle Is Impossible Today

One of the most striking aspects of The Simpsons is that the show has never hesitated to reflect the political, social, and economic changes of the last 32 years, while always keeping its essential core intact. In other words, Homer's salary is the only income for a family of five, two cars, two pets, and a house in the suburbs. In 1989, this setup qualified as a kind of baseline for the American middle class, but three decades later, many wonder if their lifestyle is still viable…

The 'Simpson Economy'

If we do a bit of memory, the lack of money is a recurring theme in the early seasons, in the form of unpaid debts, difficulties covering the stomach operation of Santa's Little Helper (Dog of Death, 03x19), and that of Homer himself, who ends up in the hands of Dr. Nick (Homer's Triple Bypass, 04x11). Indeed, many episodes show Homer trying to invent his 'next big thing' to eliminate his financial problems from the root (for example, seeking a patent for the 'Flaming Moe'), but one way or another he always carries that safety net that is the position of safety inspector (previously 'nuclear technician') at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant.

Over the years, all these details of the 'Simpson economy' concentrate on several questions: How viable is their lifestyle? Can we still talk about the Simpsons as a 'middle-class family'? Does Marge need to go to work? Fans have done excellent work analyzing available data. However, the folks at NPR got in touch with the current executive producer, Al Jean, and independent writer Dani Alexis Ryskamp, who in December 2020 shared an article in The Atlantic called Life in The Simpsons is no longer attainable. Why?

The Simpsons, Lifestyle, and the 'Death' of the Middle Class

The mini podcast begins with a brief interview with producer Al Jean, who has worked on the show almost since the beginning. The showrunner explains that much of his life served as inspiration for the Simpson family, located as 'in the center' as possible. In general terms, Homer's job is quite good: employee at the nuclear plant (technically 'manufacturing'), and receives benefits ('Lisa needs braces')... but we are no longer in 1989. Manufacturing jobs in the United States fell from 16% in 1990 to 8% today, therefore, that decline suggests that Homer should be working elsewhere.

And what about Marge? A housewife archetype if there ever was one, but through the series she had several jobs (from police officer and carpenter to real estate agent and nuclear plant employee)... although all temporary. Many fans propose that Marge should join the workforce more permanently today, but the changes in statistics were not so radical: In 1990, 74 percent of American women between 25 and 54 had a job. Its peak was 77 percent, and now it stands at 75 percent. Barely a one-point difference in over three decades.

How Much Does Homer Earn?

Beyond temporary jobs and extraordinary income, the key is to understand how much Homer earns at the nuclear plant, since it represents the only stable income of the house. Dani Alexis Ryskamp reminds us that this detail was revealed in the episode 'Much Apu About Nothing' (07x23... bear patrol). Multiple deductions make Homer receive a net of $362.19 per 40 hours a week, or $18,833.88 per year (almost 25 thousand dollars tax-free). The episode is from May 1996, and if we make a projection of its wage evolution, Homer would be near $50,000 per year, without deductions.

It's not such a bad number at first glance, so... what's the problem? That Homer's salary is not the only thing that has risen. Education increased more than double in that time. The same happened with health, and the cost of rents (let's not forget that the Simpsons lost the house). On the other hand, Bart and Lisa would earn much less money today than in the '90s if they went to work... just like every millennial and Generation Z member.

Something interesting is that the writers explored the possibility of 'compatibilizing' the economic position of the Simpsons with modern parameters: The result? A drastic drop in ratings. The episode in which they lose the house (No Loan Again, Naturally, 20x12) was the second least-watched in the history of the series. The public declared it 'too sad', and being evicted is a fundamental fear in any family.

Conclusion: The Simpsons and Their Lifestyle, a Myth?

In summary, the data suggests that the 'original mediocrity' of the Simpson family in the '90s today is a dream... almost impossible to achieve for a father of three without higher education, two cars, and a rent. Of course, the story doesn't end there. If we review the craziest theories about The Simpsons, one of them presents Homer as a millionaire, obtaining royalties and profits from his football club. And if the Simpsons had been born in the Soviet Union, the parameters would be completely different...

Source: NPR - Article in The Atlantic: Click here