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Family Ties

(Rated TV-G, Comedy, Starring Michael J. Fox, Michael Gross, Meredith Baxter-Birney, Where to watch: NBC, DVD, Online)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 7; suggested age 8.
  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    Classic 1980s sitcom's messages still ring true today.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The Keatons are a loving, happy, generally communicative family. The parents, both working professionals, willingly share domestic duties and childrearing responsibility, and the kids pitch in on household tasks like folding laundry and cooking. Family members often disagree on issues and do argue at times, but they try to respect each other’s views. Typical sibling spats result in some sarcastic put-downs and mild name-calling, but it’s all in good humor.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Not an issue.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Some kissing between a husband and wife as well as teen couples. Some storylines touch on sexual topics like teen pregnancy and extramarital affairs. Mallory is obsessed with being popular and having a boyfriend, so she often talks about guys being cute.
  • Language:

    Very rare use of words like “hell” and “damn.”
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Some storylines center on issues like underage drinking, alcoholism, and drug abuse, but the messages are always positive and honest.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Family Ties

Parents need to know that this classic '80s sitcom centers on a strong family headed by loving parents who happily share domestic duties. Much of the show's humor stems from the personality differences among the family members, but despite many disagreements, the parents support their kids and encourage them to express their views. Some episodes touch on serious issues like teen pregnancy, grief, extramarital affairs, and crime, but they're all addressed in an honest, thoughtful manner.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the media's messages about family life. Are the Keatons a realistic family? How do the issues they face compare to your family’s? How does this series compare to others you’ve seen that center on families? How does the fact that this series is many years old affect how you view it? Are the show’s messages still relevant?

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Our Members Say

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  •  I think this show is

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Great conversation starting TV show

    I love this show. The messages are timeless (except for some of the political stuff), and the characters all have their lovable sides. I just wish I knew when they were going to talk about sex in the episodes, because that is awkward for my younger children.

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