* Rescaled indices of economic, social and cultural status (ESCS) for use with the PISA 2012, 2015 and 2018 datasets, available in CSV only.
Bob and Linda Belcher are the internet’s favorite cartoon couple. Why? Because they actually like each other. Unlike the cynicism of Simpsons or the nihilism of Family Guy, Bob’s Burgers presents a marriage where the couple still flirts, supports each other's weird hobbies (Linda’s wine-shoes, Bob’s obsession with his burger of the day), and finds romance in a sticky restaurant booth after closing time.
Failed dates, mistaken identities, or embarrassing parental involvement are gold mines.
No discussion of romantic storylines is complete without the breakup arc. Family cartoons have a unique ability to make a breakup hilarious and heartbreaking simultaneously. family sex cartoon comic hindi fixed
The gold standard is The Simpsons episode "A Milhouse Divided" (Season 8). When Kirk Van Houten and Luann split up, the show doesn't just use it for a one-off gag. It creates an existential crisis for Milhouse and forces Homer and Marge to confront their own mortality. Kirk’s pathetic "Can I borrow a feeling?" cassette tape is funny, but the loneliness behind it is real.
In King of the Hill, the on-again, off-again relationship between Luanne and Lucky (later her husband) showed the redneck poetry of young love. Their breakups often involved broken trailers and propane-related accidents, yet the show always took Luanne’s heartbreak seriously. Bob and Linda Belcher are the internet’s favorite
The “odd couple” side characters provide both laughs and lessons about acceptance.
DO: Focus on Emotional Truth Even in a cartoon world, emotions must be real. Jealousy, butterflies, and heartbreak are universal. A child reader understands "sadness" even if they don't understand "romantic rejection." DO: Use Subplots Romance rarely needs to be
DON'T: Use Toxic Tropes In the past, family cartoons often used "stalking" or "persistent nagging" as signs of affection (Pepe Le Pew style). Modern comics must avoid this.
DO: Use Subplots Romance rarely needs to be the main plot of a family comic strip. It works best as a "B-plot" running in the background while the "A-plot" (adventure/comedy) happens.
DON'T: Break Character for Romance If a character is defined by being grumpy or cynical, do not make them instantly mushy when a love interest appears. Keep the edge. The romance is funnier if the character remains in character (e.g., a grump trying to write a love letter but getting frustrated).
* see PISA2018 Technical Report Annex K for details.
** Rescaled indices of economic, social and cultural status (ESCS) for use with the PISA 2000, 2003, 2006, 2009 and 2012 datasets
For PISA 2012, Data are available in TXT format. SAS and SPSS Control Files are available to recreate the dataset in selected format.
For PISA 2009, Data are available in TXT format. SAS and SPSS Control Files are available to recreate the dataset in selected format.
For PISA 2009 ERA, Data are available in TXT format. SAS and SPSS Control Files are available to recreate the dataset in selected format.
Navigation Indices file (SPSS format only)
For PISA 2006, Data are available in TXT format. SAS and SPSS Control Files are available to recreate the dataset in selected format.
Data file with abilities on the Computer-Based Assessment of Science (CBAS) for students from three countries
For PISA 2003, Data are available in TXT format. SAS and SPSS Control Files are available to recreate the dataset in selected format.
For PISA 2000, Data are available in TXT format. SAS and SPSS Control Files are available to recreate the dataset in selected format.
ESCS SPSS and SAS data Files for Economic, social and cultural status (ESCS) data files.