rape culture
no means no
steve urkel is a creep
family matters
old shows that dont hold up by todays standards
"Family Matters" and Rape Culture
By StacyB
@Srbageldog (7716)
United States
December 8, 2017 7:04pm CST
I have been rewatching the show Family Matters on Hulu recently. I haven't seen the show in years. I remember loving it as a kid.
Unfortunately it doesn't quite hold up. Steve Urkel, the "lovable" nerd who was the star of the show, isn't so lovable when filtered through today's standards. He just comes across as a creep. He doesn't take "no" for an answer and harasses Laura Winslow relentlessly. Plus he stalks her and tries to run off every guy who expresses interest in her. I don't know if the character was always creepy or if it's just that times have changed and now with all the talk about consent and sexual misconduct, the character doesn't seem the least bit funny.
Steve's excuse for his behavior is that he "loves" Laura, but that isn't love, it's obsession. And whenever Laura stands up for herself and runs him off, she's made to feel guilty and ends up apologizing to Steve.
I know it's just an old show, but no wonder people have weird ideas of what's okay and what's not. Hollywood sure has set some weird "standards" that have been broadcast in our homes over the years. Many things we used to laugh at just don't fly now.
5 people like this
5 responses
@Courtlynn (67091)
• United States
9 Dec 17
Totally agree!
But back then it was "okay" for why it was like that in the shows/movies. And today, it's not. I dont think it ever should have been honestly. But did enjoy the show many years ago, and even up to last year when i watched it.
Now just see things differently when watching things
2 people like this

@Courtlynn (67091)
• United States
9 Dec 17
@Srbageldog same here. Its a real shame too.
1 person likes this

@rebelann (114275)
• El Paso, Texas
9 Dec 17
I think back then the writers of that show were not scrutinized about political correctness @Srbageldog all they wanted was a stupid show that got them some ratings and obviously for a while they did.
I recently watched the first 2 seasons pre Steve Urkel and it was mildly funny but not nearly as good as the Cosby show. It's likely the whole Steve idea came about because they were competing with the Huxtables.
1 person likes this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
9 Dec 17
Yes, I wonder that too. Why didn't they ever lock their doors? Or call the police when he came crawling through their windows at night? (Wait -- Carl Winslow was a cop, so why didn't he do something about Steve breaking and entering?)
1 person likes this

@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
28 Dec 17
married with children is totally cringeworthy in retrospect.
sexist jokapalooza.
1 person likes this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
28 Dec 17
My mom hated that show back when it was on, and we weren't allowed to watch it, because of how Al Bundy treated Peg. My dad would watch it though, so I caught it sometimes. Al always reminded me of my uncle Dan.
@FourWalls (76651)
• United States
9 Dec 17
Think about how popular Luke and Laura were on Genral Hospital, And the way they “got together” initially was that he raped her. Sheesh.
1 person likes this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
9 Dec 17
Oh, don't get me started on soap operas! They have some really twisted "love" stories. No wonder people have some seriously messed up views on what's "romance."
1 person likes this
