For the last few years I've noticed a disturbing trend among 25 to 40 year-old American males. Although I almost fall into that demographic, I've avoided falling victim to everything SpongeBob SquarePants (SBSP as I'll refer to him as).

Now I'm not talking about casual fans of the character, I'm talking hardcore SBSP fans, the kind of fanaticism that drives someone to wear their recently ironed SBSP boxers in front of their wife or girlfriend, a fellow employee admitted to such behavior.

How the conversation got to this point is still a bit foggy. Well, I simply remarked on the SBSP car freshener hanging from his rear view mirror and just like that, the next 25 minutes of my life was spent talking about the famous flamboyant sponge. To hear this middle-aged guy talk, it was like he was talking about a supermodel or sport's icon, he was that excited to share his love for SBSP.

After this display, I started noticing more and more grown men representing the SBSP camp and I'm left to ask, why? What is it about this character that attracts this crowd? The following are some theories as to why this phenomenon is spreading rapidly among America's Generation X male population.

3. Too much booty in the pants. _Yeah, I'm going to remain closed lipped on this one, but Shakira and Beyonce apparently have some competition.4. A new age of tolerance._These two really just need to get it over with. Acceptance is the new "PC" thing for any age group, instant popularity.
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5. Girls dig SBSP._No evidence was found to support this theory but actually the exact opposite was found as two examples are provided... Alcoholic. Sponge Bob stuffed animal collection. Lifelong virgins.
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