The show Shameless premiered in 2011. It’s about a family from the South side of Chicago and the struggles they face while taking care of their alcoholic father, having an absent mother and living below the poverty line. Mostly, it’s a dramatic comedy, but if you start to pay attention, you can learn a lot. Fortunately, some of us don’t go through many of these struggles, but Shameless can still give us an insight to what it’s like to do so.
1. Lip Gallagher is the bad boy every girl needs
Lip is, and always will be, the "perfect bad boy." Smoking is usually seen as unattractive, but there is something about Lip that makes it perfect. In season one, you see a weird nerdy kid, but by season 4, he is the love of your life. His strange relationships somehow become your dream and there is no explanation for it. His love for Liam makes your heart melt. His alcohol addiction makes you want to help him. And there is no fixing Lip, but there is always something you will love about that. Every girl needs to experience love from a boy like Lip.
2. Weird relationships can work
Relationships are all about what people are willing to put into them. Kev, V and Svetlana have a strange relationship, they are all there for the same reasons. No matter what the outside opinions are, it’s about what the people involved feel.
3. Drugs ruin lives
Drugs are a huge part of this show, as well as a serious problem in the world. Shameless gives you an idea, if you don’t already know, what it’s like to love someone with an addiction or to have an addiction yourself. Frank is a prime example, as he is a horrible father because of his addiction. Many other aspects contribute to this, but addiction is the most dominant. No one deserves this lifestyle, and you can only hope to learn from it.
4. Financial Stability is a blessing
If you are lucky enough to not worry about your electric staying on during the winter, then you are blessed. Many people are worried about what they’re able to afford, especially when children are involved. The Gallagher’s must all pull their weight, even when they are only 11-years-old. We may not have to experience it, but we can see the impact risking your childhood has on many people.
5. Parental figures play a large role in our lives
Your parental figure will impact the rest of your life. Whatever choices they make for you as children set you up for the future. You will view life differently depending on how your parental figure raises you. Frank proved that only being around when it was beneficial to him made all his kids pessimistic in all relationships. We are forever influenced by the people around us.
Some people never change
It’s sad, but true. Some people want to change, but don’t have the will to change. It’s not because they don’t love you, it’s because sometimes they love themselves a little more. Jimmy/Steve loved Fiona, but he was more worried about himself. It was always about how he could make himself better, and how Fiona was around for the ride. He never thought about how she might want to do something for herself. Selfishness overpowers love every time, and sometimes promises can't be kept.
Family is a priority
Regardless of what happens in life, you want to know you can look back and see the people who have been there with you through it. Family doesn’t have to be defined by blood. Family can be anyone you love or feel at home with. Without family, we have no one to call when things are going bad, we have no one to call when things go good. Without those we love we only have ourselves, and no one wants to go through life alone.
