Meet the Simpsons Over time, the definition of what exactly "family" means has changed with time. Usually, what constitutes making up a family is relative to a specific culture, but as always, there are exceptions to the rule. Ever since the golden age of television had sprung upon American culture, television has tried to mimic the "ideal" American family through it's programming. Even as early as the 1950's, television producers made programming that would represent …showed first 75 words of 1571 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1571 total…having certain traits that common among many American middle aged men. Marge is a housewife that holds the family together by straightening out any problems that arise and by being a concerned, caring mother. Bart and Lisa are two different examples of the youth of our generation. Bart is the typical rebellious child, while Lisa is the aspiring and more intelligent of the two. Thus, the Simpsons best represent American family life in the 1990's.