Honestly, I didn't watch the series until I was pretty much entering adulthood. But I definitely enjoyed it for the memories it brought of my own never-ending road toward maturity. We get to see the hilarious life of an urban, middle-class, moderately liberal family from the late 1980s. As the years pass, all the characters go through their "growing pains" and learn unforgettable lessons along the way. The story line and jokes are remarkably clever - nearly everyone in the audience can relate to some of them when thinking about their own adolescence. As for appropriateness, there are a few definite "PG" episodes, especially the ones that deal with drugs and alcohol. But the message is always one of "just say no." But most of the other shows are very tame, even if they do deal with puberty and dating and romance. Mild sexual innuendos will probably not be noticed by kids under 9 or 10. (The only one that could pose a problem would be if a kid hears the nickname "Boner" and starts using it on his friends or in front of the teacher...I used to live next door to a guy who grew up with that very nickname.) What I love best about Growing Pains is how good the creative quality is compared to today's cr** on TV. It brings back memories of when TV had at least a handful of truly good programs.
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Growing Pains
(Rated TV-PG, Comedy, Starring Alan Thicke, Joanna Kerns, Kirk Cameron, Where to watch: Nickelodeon, ION, Syndicated, DVD)
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Is it age appropriate?
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Not age appropriate for kids under 6, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
'80s favorite offers laughs and life lessons.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 8 and Up
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Violence & scariness:
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Sexy stuff:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Growing Pains
Parents need to know that this '80s sitcom is about a strong nuclear family headed by loving parents who communicate well with each other and their kids. It's heavy on positive messages about self-esteem, personal responsibility, and making good choices, all of which are delivered in storylines that are relatable for tweens and teens. Most episodes deal with typical issues for families with kids who are coming of age: budding romantic relationships, popularity woes, and adolescent mischief. Some topics can be emotional, including encounters with prejudice and the death of family members and friends. Teen characters face peer pressure to drink, smoke, and do drugs, but they always make the tough choice and do the right thing.
Read our full review by Emily Ashby
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about how parents and kids relate to each other. Kids: Do you find the characters in this series believable? How are their relationships with their parents different from yours? How do their relationships with their siblings compare to yours? How does this show compare to today's sitcoms? What marks it as an "'80s show"? The series also offers plenty of plot-based discussion points. What issues did the characters face in the show? Who did they turn to for help? What would you have done in their situation? Do you think the parents' advice was good? Why or why not?
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
Now THIS is the show for memories about growing up!
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
it's a pretty good show .
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