Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Poignant comedy series has mature content, stereotypes.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Modern Family
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 77 parent reviews
Parents say that while the show is generally funny and entertaining for families, it contains some inappropriate content including mild swearing, sexual innuendos, and themes that may not be suitable for younger children. Many reviewers highlight its relatable humor and positive messages about love and acceptance, making it ideal for older kids and teens, but suggest parental guidance is necessary for younger viewers.
- funny and relatable
- positive messages
- adult content
- suitable for teens
- parental guidance advised
Summarized with AI
Based on 389 kid reviews
Kids say the show is hilarious and relatable, showcasing diverse family dynamics and humor that resonates particularly with older children and teenagers. However, many reviewers caution that it contains mature themes, including some sexual jokes and adult situations, making it more suitable for viewers aged 11 and up.
- ages 11 and up
- diverse family dynamics
- relatable humor
- contains mature themes
- great role models
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
MODERN FAMILY centers on the daily lives of three different but related families. There's Jay (Ed O'Neill) and his second, much younger wife, Gloria (Sofia Vergara), and her son, Manny (Rico Rodriguez). Jay's grown daughter, Claire (Julie Bowen), lives nearby with her husband, Phil (Ty Burrell), and is a full-time mom to their three teens. Claire's brother, Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson), and his life partner, Cameron (Eric Stonestreet), are raising their adopted daughter a stone's throw away from the rest of the family. The series chronicles the ups and downs of parenting, marriage, and family relationships. Later seasons have seen developments such as Claire and Phil's oldest daughter leaving for college, Mitchell and Cameron's attempts to adopt another child, and an unexpected baby on the way for Jay and Gloria.
Is It Any Good?
This show is well scripted, the cast is superb, and it doesn't shy away from a down-and-dirty look at family life. It's no surprise that Modern Family has picked up several accolades since its debut in 2009. Balancing the good times and bad times isn't always an easy task in a comedy, but this series always ends on a heartwarming note that reflects the beautiful imperfection of family relationships. At the same time, it offers a contemporary picture of the modern American family in its presentation of three very different -- but equally loving -- household structures.
That said, Modern Family isn't for everyone. There are a lot of stereotypes to weed through, and the plot often deals with sex, which is discussed openly in teens' company, as well as other mature themes such as death, divorce, and, to some degree, prejudice. Much of the humor revolves around Mitchell and Cameron's life together and Jay's unconventional marriage to his young Colombian wife. Take into consideration your family's values before opting into this series, but if you do watch with your teens, know that its ultimate message is one of tolerance and the lasting connection among family members of all manner of backgrounds.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Modern Family compares to other family-centered shows. Does the content seem more or less realistic than others'? Do the central relationships seem nontraditional to you? How are they different from other sitcom families?
How does your family compare to the characters in this show? What aspects of your family might be considered nontraditional? How do the characters change over the course of the series? In what ways does this show emotional growth on their part?
How does the media portray relationships in general? Is it ever appropriate to use stereotypes as a way of portraying them? Why do you think topics such as unplanned pregnancy, divorce, sex, and sexual identity are dealt with so frequently on TV shows and in movies?
How do the characters in Modern Family demonstrate communication and humility? Why are these important character strengths?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 23, 2009
- Cast : Ed O'Neill , Jesse Tyler Ferguson , Julie Bowen
- Network : ABC
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Communication , Humility
- TV rating :
- Awards : Common Sense Media Award , Emmy - Emmy Award Winner , Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Winner , Kids' Choice Award , NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : July 16, 2026
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
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