Shows like Shameless highlight the challenges faced when an older sibling is forced into a parental role. Fiona, the eldest sister in the series, becomes the primary caretaker for her five younger siblings due to their mother’s absence and their father’s unreliable presence. This situation prevents her from enjoying a normal childhood. The ideal of childhood is to be free from responsibilities and to learn self-care before taking on the care of others. When a real-life teen found themselves in a similar situation and tried to assert their needs, their efforts didn’t go as planned.
