life Lessons In SpongeBob

SpongeBob has been on the air for over 21 years. The show has spun off into a multimedia franchise that includes movies, toys, clothing, and more. Created by marine biologist Stephen Hillenburg, the show centers around an anthropomorphic sea sponge, his friends, and their crazy shenanigans. Throughout the series, we see SpongeBob attempt (and failed multiple times) to get his driver’s license. We see him go through Ups and downs in his job as a fry cook, which he is very passionate about. We also see him hang out with his best friend Patrick and do their hobbies together such as jellyfishing or annoying their neighbor Squidward.

Some would say, (actually just about everybody) that its glory days are in the first three seasons of the show. Personally, I would say I agree with that as well. There is an episode, that I personally enjoyed when I was younger titled “The camping episode.” If you're a millennial or early Gen Z, you've most likely seen it. Here's a quick summary: Squidward gets up and realizes it's the night that SpongeBob and Patrick go camping, then those two decide to tease him because he wants to stay inside and so to prove them wrong he decides to camp with them. A bunch of antics ensue such as how to set the tent, having a campfire and singing a song, and how to avoid dangerous wildlife. Really one of the classics.

Its fast-paced animation, silly and slapstick humor is really what makes this memorable. From Squidward’s injuries, the unexpected yet memorable musical number, To the rules and regulations that are required to not summon dangerous wildlife is really what makes this episode iconic.

But I want to turn your attention to the sea bear Predicament. Everyone will agree that the main purpose of the episode, is to entertain. However, I'm going to take Another approach as well. Because there are valuable life lessons, that we can learn from this episode believe it or not (I understand It sounds like I'm reaching a little bit here but work with me). The First lesson is, do not let anyone get the better of you. At the beginning of the episode spongeBob and Patrick, whether they meant it or not took a jab at Squidward. regarding Squidward, what we know from other episodes about him is that he has a superiority complex and short. He cannot stand to have people think that he is beneath them. He needs to prove himself even though he May be unable to comply. He tries to come off as a classy well-rounded individual however his temper gets the better of him. If it wasn't for his superiority complex, he would have not seen sponge Bob and Patrick's little tease as a “challenge”. If he had learned to control his temper, he would not have been injured by the dangerous wildlife that followed him. So Please remember don't let anybody get the best of you!

Another valuable life lesson someone may find in the episode is, to not doubt or to take with a grain of salt whatever your friends or loved ones tell you. No really, no matter how ridiculous it may seem, in certain situations, it might be best not to shut them down completely. Squidward should've thought and analyzed the situation before deciding to deliberately go against the guidelines and regulations for summoning a sea bear. If he had not done this, then he would have not experienced physical torture as he did. However, one could say it always goes back to the temper and the superiority complex.

OK granted, a child between the ages of three and eight might not understand or look that deep into the episode, But it's always good that maybe someone can take something away from the show rather than just it being about mindless entertainment completely.