"Shameless": Children With Addicted Parents | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

"Shameless": Children With Addicted Parents

"Shameless" depicts the roles taken on by children in families with addiction

1076
"Shameless": Children With Addicted Parents
Telestrekoza

Based off of a TV series in Britain, "Shameless" follows the story of the Gallaghers, a dysfunctional, low income family living on the south-side of Chicago. Alcoholic father, Frank, is always looking for a way to use, trick and manipulate others into giving him money for booze. Their bipolar mother ran off, returning wanting to make amends with her family, only to wander off when she loses interest. The oldest daughter, Fiona, is left to raise her 5 siblings by herself. There are many different things I love about this show. What I find most interesting is how each kid (except the baby) so perfectly embodies the different roles kids fall into when they have addicted and neglectful parents.

When children are left to raise themselves and their siblings, they often falling to roles to protect and care for themselves. These roles can be taken on by any age or gender. It more so depends on the relationships children share with one another.

The Hero

The Hero is the child that feels responsible for cleaning up their family’s messes. They feel that if they are not successful, then no one will be. Perfectionism is their approach, -- part of them wished they could count on their parents. However, they identify so strongly as the provider that they would not know what to do with themselves if they were no longer responsible for everyone.

Frank’s oldest daughter has taken care of her younger siblings financially and emotionally since she was 14. There has been multiple conversations during the series about how she never takes a break from her siblings, she consistently calls them her kids, and eventually takes custody of them. Fiona even says herself she her whole life is "those kids." If she were to step away from that responsibility she would feel like she has failed.

The Mascot

The Mascot channels their pain and ignored needs through humor, often vulgar and inappropriate. They often feel embarrassed by their family and, like The Hero, hope they can be better than their family. Unlike The Hero, they use humor and rebellion to escape.

Philip, or Lip, plays this role quite well. He is Frank’s oldest son and second born who's too smart for his own good. Surrounded by failing students, Lip’s 4.6 GPA ends up getting him a full ride to MIT. Often sarcastic and carefree, Lip covers his pain by pretending like he does not care about his future.

The Lost Child

The Lost Child is often the one most forgotten simply because they make less noise. They keep their nose down and try not bother anyone. They believe that if they voice their needs they will be a burden.

Ian embodies The Lost Child of the Gallagher family in that he is the most distant with his family by making them think he is ok. He repeatedly acts and tells his sister that nothing is wrong. It only when Lip goes through his personal things that we learn he is gay, but does not want to tell his family. He hides his sexuality so that his family does not have one more thing to worry about.

The Caregiver

The Caregiver is a lot like The Hero in that they feel an immense amount of responsibility. However, they feel the most responsible for keeping everyone happy. They feel that their family’s needs are greater than their own. This often leads to resentment and anger towards their family. They secretly wish that someone would put their needs first.

The youngest daughter Debby is up before everyone else helping her sister make lunches for the family before school. If Fiona is out Debby is right there to help with her siblings. Debby is also the first to forgive her father, Frank. She never gives up hope that her parents can change.

The Scapegoat

The Scapegoat is the family member that will actively and loudly cause trouble for the family. They seek attention negatively because that was the only way they even got attention at all. The Scapegoat provides a distraction from the substance abuser.

The second youngest, Carl, never ceases to get himself into trouble. He is consistently punished at school for bullying and he'll do anything that involves blowing something up. While just as lovable as the other characters, Carl will both rebel and protect his family in violent ways. He offers a distraction for the family from their alcoholic father.

Addiction is a terrible thing to put anyone you love through. Especially your children. They become dependent on anyone but you. The kids on Shameless use their roles to get by with as little as possible. Its not easy to watch knowing that many kids go through this daily and all deserve better.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Christmas tree
Librarian Lavender

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas is one of my personal favorite holidays because of the Christmas traditions my family upholds generation after generation. After talking to a few of my friends at college, I realized that a lot of them don't really have "Christmas traditions" in their family, and I want to help change that. Here's a list of Christmas traditions that my family does, and anyone can incorporate into their family as well!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Phases Of Finals

May the odds be ever in your favor.

1569
Does anybody know how to study
Gurl.com

It’s here; that time of year when college students turn into preschoolers again. We cry for our mothers, eat everything in sight, and whine when we don’t get our way. It’s finals, the dreaded time of the semester when we all realize we should have been paying attention in class instead of literally doing anything else but that. Everyone has to take them, and yes, unfortunately, they are inevitable. But just because they are here and inevitable does not mean they’re peaches and cream and full of rainbows. Surviving them is a must, and the following five phases are a reality for all majors from business to art, nursing to history.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition

10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

2928
How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

It’s that time of year again when college students live at the library all week, cramming for tests that they should have started studying for last month. Preparing to spend all day at the library takes much consideration and planning. Use these tips to help get you through the week while spending an excessive amount of time in a building that no one wants to be in.

Keep Reading...Show less
girl roommates
StableDiffusion

Where do we begin when we start talking about our roommates? You practically spend every moment with them, they become your second family and they deal with you at your best and at your absolute worst. They are there to make you laugh just a little harder, cry a little less and make each day a little better. We often forget to thank them for the little things that they do to make college even a tiny bit easier and more fun. This list of 26 things are what you should thank your roommates for right this minute and every day that you live with them.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

20 Thoughts While Studying For Finals

I may or may not be stressing right now.

2992
Thoughts While Studying For Finals
StableDiffusion


That time of the semester has arrived once again, finals. The worst week ever. Who thought it was a good idea for all your classes to have exams all in the same week? Definitely not me. Here's 20 thoughts you may have studying for finals.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments