Reason behind why Homer stopped strangling Bart in The Simpsons

In some aspects of The Simpsons, things never change.

The characters never seem to age, Marge always manages to maintain that incredible blue hairdo and Homer is able to provide for his family despite his ever-changing job situation.

However, in an effort to keep up with modern proclivities, the long-running sitcom does alter things slightly.

One of those very small tidbits is Homer strangling Bart.

It has been happening for as long as anyone can imagine and usually happens when the eldest child in the Simpson household does something wrong.

The patriarch used to yell 'why you little' before wrapping his hands around Bart's neck and squeezing so hard that his eyes bulge out.

However, you might have noticed that Homer hasn't done this in a while.

In a new episode from season 35, it's finally revealed why.

Episode three, titled 'McMansion & Wife', sees Evergreen Terrace welcome a new family.

When Homer introduces himself to Thayer, the new character remarks how firm the handshake was.

"See, Marge, strangling the boy paid off," Homer says to his wife.

"Just kidding, I don't do that anymore. Times have changed."

Times certainly have changed and it's probably not a good message to send that the first thing a father should do to reprimand their child is strangulation.

There are plenty of kids who would have grown up watching The Simpsons and might have picked up some habits from the show.

I just found out that, after over 30 years, The Simpsons has finally retired their long-running gag of Homer strangling Bart.

Took them long enough lmao pic.twitter.com/JuHyNu1eiK

— 🎃 Spooky A. (HAPPY HALLOWEEN) 🎃 (@BabyLamb5) November 2, 2023

Here's hoping this new update will ensure no one follows in Homer's old footsteps when it comes to child punishment.

The topic of Homer strangling Bart was addressed all the way back in season 22 of the show in an episode called 'Love Is a Many Strangled Thing'.

Therapist Dr Zander tries to get Homer to see the error of his ways when he strangles his child.

The episode plot states: "Dr Zander's friend, the towering basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, teaches Homer what it feels like 'to be young, small, and terrified' by strangling him mercilessly all the time, even going as far as letting his friends strangle Homer as well.

"Unfortunately, the therapy works too well and Homer can no longer strangle Bart, even when the boy misbehaves, because he is traumatized by the therapeutic session."

Fans were quick to praise the show for removing the problematic 'joke'.

One said: "It's just as well. Because that's considered child abuse nowadays."

Another added: "Good, if he did that one more time i think BART might have become DEAD."

A third wrote: "I knew my man Homer was gonna learn. He's a smart fella."