SpongeBob's Autism (analysis)

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I am going to analyze the cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants and his Autism

Most Autistic people are perceived as "childish" and incapable of being a true adult

But I will use SpongeBob to argue against that incorrect assumption!! !

He may be Autistic (according to voice actor Tom Kenny) but he has a job and even owns his own house

SpongeBob SquarePants may not be married or have his own children but I will argue that not everyone NEEDS to marry or have kids in order to be seen as a real adult!

And SpongeBob is proof of that

I believe that is part of the reason why this show is still so popular and relevant after so MANY YEARS

What do you guys think?

Thanks in advance!! !

Spongebob is very much a manchild sort of comedic character, so I don't agree with the idea that he provides any real insight into what society expects of "real" adults.

I agree with the premise that one doesn't need kids or marriage to be seen as a "real" adult, but I don't think Spongebob is seen as a "real" adult anymore than Ernie and Bert or Homer Simpson are. Their childishness is both at the core of their humour (Ernie and Homer, not Bert so much) as well as part of what makes E&B or Spongebob relatable to their primary intended audience of children.

Spongebob very much seems like a child's personality dealing with an adult's freedom and responsibilities. Most of the other characters on the show seem like a less extreme version of that.

Never having had kids, nor watched SpongeBob, I didn't even know he was supposed to be an adult.
I'm now curious what happens to him in the rain.
Does he double in size, turn floppy and leak everywhere?
And if he forgets to hydrate, does he shrivel and turn rigid?