Dr Kelly Fleming

My favourite tv show was The Facts of Life. As a girl growing up in the 70s and 80s, The Facts of Life taught me things that were often taboo topics. While every episode was entertaining of course, they each taught me very important lessons. Not only how to get along with others but also topics that were helpful in understanding the world around me.

The vast array of lessons included:

• Acceptance of all people – disabled (both physical and intellectual), people of colour, non-judgmental, positive body image,  not to differentiate people who come from other backgrounds (monetary, social, etc)
• Taboo topics such as suicide, rape, self-defence, drug use

Growing up being close to age with the characters, their struggles as they learnt to navigate life including peer pressure, dating, college life, facing the world as they graduated from college and trying to figure out their future life ambitions.

The Facts of Life really made an impact on me.

At the same time, I enjoyed shows such as Little House on the Prairie, The Waltons, Carol Burnett and later during high school, The Golden Girls which also touched on Taboo topics. While it centered around older ladies, the lessons were helpful as I prepared to go off into the world and experience university and all the complexities that would come being 500 miles away from my family.

I appreciate the tv shows of the late 70s and the 80s. They were filled with life lessons that to this day I still recall and put into practice.