Marina Comeaux
ENGL 350-001
Review Number One
February 12, 2017
Shameless
Showtime’s TV series Shameless is a comedic and dramatic series about the struggle of growing up in a dysfunctional, lower-middle class family. The father of this family, Frank Gallagher, is an alcoholic and drug addict who cons others for money to get by. He refuses to work, but tries abusing the government for money. He is the father of six children and only associates with them if it is in his own favor. Fiona Gallagher, the eldest Gallagher child, had to drop out of highschool to take care of her five siblings, Phillip, Ian, Debbie, Carl, and Liam. All of the kids try to find work and odd jobs to be able to support themselve. They pay rent, utilities, bills, groceries, …show more content…
Since the show is still making seasons since it aired in 2011, the viewers are able to see how dysfunctional parents affect the development of children as they grow up. According to Children’s Literature “Recent studies of alcohol dependence, however, emphasize its impact not only on the individual but on social relations as well: diagnostic criteria include ‘social damage that . . . extends . . . beyond [the] individuals themselves’ and ‘disruption in social and family relationships, vocational or financial difficulties, legal problems’ ” (Wadsworth, 47). This quote is incredibly accurate when it comes to the life of Frank Gallagher. He lacks the basic manners of an adult and is constantly found at a local bar called The Alibi Room. As the series goes by, the viewers notice that parental neglect and growing up in poverty lead them to drug use, financial struggles, jail time, expulsion from school, high school dropouts, and …show more content…
Society does not necessarily realize how surreal poverty is in our world. “Poverty Blindness is the absolute inability to see people living in poverty. Two distinct forms of PB exist. Primary Poverty Blindness (PPB) affects individuals who never or almost never encounter poor people, either through active or passive avoidance. Secondary Poverty Blindness (SBP) affects those who have constant or almost constant contact with poor people, even if they actively try to prevent it” (Ventres, 52-53). One of the most inspiring aspects of this show is that it shines light on society of what it is like in a poverty household. Viewers can see how hard some of these kids try to better themselves and work together to survive. Fiona took responsibility as her siblings legal guardian, Phillip graduates high school with a 4.6 GPA and proceeds a college education, and Ian joins the Army to serve our country. Although their lives are misfortunate, each one of the Gallagher children thrive to live a better life than what their parents left for
ENGL 350-001
Review Number One
February 12, 2017
Shameless
Showtime’s TV series Shameless is a comedic and dramatic series about the struggle of growing up in a dysfunctional, lower-middle class family. The father of this family, Frank Gallagher, is an alcoholic and drug addict who cons others for money to get by. He refuses to work, but tries abusing the government for money. He is the father of six children and only associates with them if it is in his own favor. Fiona Gallagher, the eldest Gallagher child, had to drop out of highschool to take care of her five siblings, Phillip, Ian, Debbie, Carl, and Liam. All of the kids try to find work and odd jobs to be able to support themselve. They pay rent, utilities, bills, groceries, …show more content…
Since the show is still making seasons since it aired in 2011, the viewers are able to see how dysfunctional parents affect the development of children as they grow up. According to Children’s Literature “Recent studies of alcohol dependence, however, emphasize its impact not only on the individual but on social relations as well: diagnostic criteria include ‘social damage that . . . extends . . . beyond [the] individuals themselves’ and ‘disruption in social and family relationships, vocational or financial difficulties, legal problems’ ” (Wadsworth, 47). This quote is incredibly accurate when it comes to the life of Frank Gallagher. He lacks the basic manners of an adult and is constantly found at a local bar called The Alibi Room. As the series goes by, the viewers notice that parental neglect and growing up in poverty lead them to drug use, financial struggles, jail time, expulsion from school, high school dropouts, and …show more content…
Society does not necessarily realize how surreal poverty is in our world. “Poverty Blindness is the absolute inability to see people living in poverty. Two distinct forms of PB exist. Primary Poverty Blindness (PPB) affects individuals who never or almost never encounter poor people, either through active or passive avoidance. Secondary Poverty Blindness (SBP) affects those who have constant or almost constant contact with poor people, even if they actively try to prevent it” (Ventres, 52-53). One of the most inspiring aspects of this show is that it shines light on society of what it is like in a poverty household. Viewers can see how hard some of these kids try to better themselves and work together to survive. Fiona took responsibility as her siblings legal guardian, Phillip graduates high school with a 4.6 GPA and proceeds a college education, and Ian joins the Army to serve our country. Although their lives are misfortunate, each one of the Gallagher children thrive to live a better life than what their parents left for