No one can deny that the characters in The Golden Girls are good friends to each other. While they might bicker and quarrel every now and then, they would never truly betray each other in a hurtful way.
But while they’re good friends, they’re not the best parents. Each character is a mother, but they make several parenting mistakes throughout the seven seasons of the show that make viewers understand why their children don’t visit them very often. The women have good intentions, so no one can blame them for their mistakes, but they’re still not the best actions as a mother.
They Often Seem Disinterested In Their Kid's Lives
Throughout the seven seasons of the show, the Golden Girls hardly ever talk to their children or visit them. Some of them may not visit often simply because they live far away, but it would be nice to see them calling more, or talking about phone conversations, to show there is still a close relationship.
Many of the women don’t know what their children are up to in their personal lives. While they’re grown adults, many parents still know about their children’s careers and relationships, and even if they don't see them very often, it would have been good to have seen a balance here in the way this was portrayed.
Blanche Isn’t Close With Her Kids Or Grandkids
Of all the women on the show, Blanche Devereaux (Rue McClanahan) has the most complicated relationship with her children. The mother of five children, Blanche said she was never a “hands-on” mother when her children were growing up. Because of this, she has a strained relationship with her children that has also affected her relationship with her grandchildren.
She’s not involved in their lives. With the few episodes that feature her children, Blanche quarrels with them, especially with her daughter, Rebecca. Blanche regrets how she raised her children and it’s one of the few times where she is sad, genuine, and vulnerable.
Dorothy Wasn’t Going To Attend Her Daughter’s Wedding
The show’s second episode, “Guess Who’s Coming to the Wedding?” introduces Dorothy Zbornak’s (Bea Arthur) daughter, Kate. She’s getting married and she wants both her mother and her father to attend the wedding.
Dorothy hasn’t forgiven her ex-husband, Stanley (Herb Edelman), for his extramarital affairs and for abruptly leaving her. She’s understandably not excited to see him and so she decides that if he’s attending the wedding, she won’t be there. While she ends up putting aside her differences, it was still a bit harsh that she almost missed her daughter’s wedding, although her feelings were valid.
Rose Lied To Her Kids About Charlie’s Money
Rose Nylund (Betty White) is a widow. She moved to Miami after her beloved husband, Charlie, unexpectedly died. Together, they had five children and they seemed like a happy, close family in Rose’s peculiar hometown, St. Olaf, Minnesota.
Because they were a close family, it’s surprising that Rose is so far removed from her adult children’s lives. They’re not close, and in the season one episode, “The Truth Will Out,” Rose’s daughter, Kirsten, is shocked that Rose apparently wasted all of Charlie’s inheritance. Rose didn’t tell her children the truth about Charlie’s salary and that he wasn’t a wealthy man. While she presented her husband as a hero, her children should have known the truth about their family’s financial status.
Blanche Fat-Shamed Her Daughter
Blanche has a complicated relationship with her daughter, Rebecca. Before the show started, she had a big argument with her and they weren’t speaking. In the season three episode, “Blanche’s Little Girl,” Rebecca visits Blanche after being in Paris to pursue a modeling career. Blanche is shocked that her daughter is now overweight and engaged to a verbally abusive man.
Throughout the episode, everyone jokes about Rebecca’s weight. Blanche has to force herself not to fat-shame her daughter, but it’s challenging. The behavior is disappointing for all of the women, but especially Blanche.
Sophia Constantly Teases Dorothy
It must be difficult for Dorothy to live with her mother, Sophia Petrillo (Estelle Getty). While they mostly have a close relationship with some heartwarming moments, Sophia is sarcastic, and she doesn’t care what anyone thinks. She has hilarious “burns” and most of them are directed toward Dorothy.
Sophia jokes about Dorothy’s love life and her appearance. While Dorothy knows that these are just jokes, a mother shouldn’t tease her daughter about these sensitive subjects. No wonder Dorothy often threatens to send Sophia back to her dreaded retirement home. “Shady Pines, Ma!”
Rose Slut-Shames Her Daughter
In the season two episode “Family Affair,” Rose’s daughter, Bridget, visits at the same time that Dorothy’s son, Michael, is visiting. The two don't know each other at all, at first, so it surprises everyone when they’re later found in bed together.
Rose is shocked that her daughter had an affair with Michael, but also that this wasn’t her first sexual experience. She wrongfully implies that her daughter is promiscuous and overreacted about the situation.
Dorothy Doesn’t Approve Of Her Son’s Marriage
In the memorable season three episode “Mixed Blessings,” Michael surprises Dorothy with news that he’s getting married. At first, she’s excited for her son, but then she’s shocked that he is marrying a woman twice his age.
Even though she eventually accepts the marriage, Dorothy is supposed to support her son during these important life changes.
Sophia Doesn’t Speak To Her Son Because He Is A Cross-Dresser
For the most part, Sophia is a good mother. However, she has a rocky relationship with her son, Phil. They don’t speak to each other, and this is partly due to the fact that he is a cross-dresser.
After Phil dies in the season six episode, “Ebbtide’s Revenge,” Sophia realizes that she never mended her relationship with her son. Now, it’s too late. Sophia lives with this regret. If she only put aside her differences and recognized that Phil was happy, she could have had more years with him.
Blanche Doesn't Approve Of Her Daughter’s Pregnancy
In 2021, this would not be a taboo subject, but in the 1980s, artificial insemination was a new subject for TV. In the revolutionary season five episode, “The Accurate Conception,” Blanche’s daughter, Rebecca, surprises her with her plans to conceive a child through artificial insemination.
At first, Blanche and the other women are disgusted by the idea. Even though Rebecca is determined to go through with the plans, she’s disappointed that her mother doesn’t support her and it causes more complications in their relationship.