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8 Life Lessons From 'Boy Meets World' I Want My Kids To Learn
byCat Bowen
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Growing up, Cory and Topanga felt like family. I watched every Boy Meets World episode — whether they were celebrating prom, or mourning the death of Shawn's dad — it was my Friday night. As a parent, there are many lessons from Boy Meets Worldthat I want my kids to know, I just hope they're as open to learning as Topanga.
Yes, there are serious flaws in the show. There is little to no diversity, and upon re-watching some of the episodes (now streaming on Disney+), I realize that the internalized misogyny that afflicted so many of the people in my generation is fairly rampant in the series. It says something that when I was watching it in the 1990s these subtle digs at feminism did not even register with me. (The same can be said for many shows I enjoyed. Saved By The Bell, anyone?) Producers try to make Topanga a foil to all of the toxic masculinity, with her sometimes staunch feminist approach, but in doing this, they made her appear less like a person to be lauded, and more like someone to be laughed at. Thankfully, that's not the whole of the show. Cory and Shawn seem to turn themselves around through their school years, appreciating the women in their lives and recognizing their value. (And Topanga was the one to get into Yale, so there is that.)
7
We Are Not Promised Tomorrow
My gosh, I hope that my husband and I live a good long time, and eventually see our grandchildren born and grow, but that's not a given. No one forgets the episode where Shawn's dad dies after suffering a second heart attack, and the best lesson of that episode is to say what you need to say, and love where and when you can.
8
Your Spouse WILL Use Your Razor At Some Point.
In the last season, as Topanga and Cory are choosing a wedding date, Cory learns that Topanga has used his razor. His reaction? Hilarious.
Everyone should learn this fact from this episode. Your spouse (if you are so fortunate to acquire one) will absolutely steal your razor and use it. I know for a fact that my husband frequently has a brand new blade on his. I use it, and I put it back. I'm really too kind.
9
Growing Up Means Change, And That's OK
During the Cory and Topanga wedding episode, Shawn struggles with the fact that he will no longer be such an integral part of Cory's life. He has such a hard time with it that he refuses to be in their wedding. After some soul searching, he comes around, realizing that life changes, but often for the better.
I want my kids to know that sometimes change is hard, but it can also be really great if you can just power through it and grow.