# Modern family: Why is Claire with Phil? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 2, 2013, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-family-why-is-claire-with-phil/672952 "2013-11-02T23:00:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![tim-n-va](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim-n-va/32/3001_2.png) [@tim-n-va](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim-n-va)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2014, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-family-why-is-claire-with-phil/672952/41 "2014-02-20T15:13:34Z")
I think she stays with him because whatever they were doing he was winning. ---
**Author:** ![Bellhorn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@Bellhorn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bellhorn)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2014, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-family-why-is-claire-with-phil/672952/42 "2014-02-20T15:45:19Z")
I’m still working on why Alice married Ralph Kramden; he’s poor, fat, mean-tempered and if she ever presses a point, he threatens her with physical violence. ("One of these days… to the moon, Alice.) I’ve been trying to figure that one out for 50 years. I think they’ve done a good job portraying Claire as less than perfect. Maybe she feels she had to “settle for Phil,” and there’s some hidden resentment. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2014, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-family-why-is-claire-with-phil/672952/43 "2014-02-20T15:59:12Z")
> [@Charlie\_Wayne](#): > > One of the big problems with sitcoms is that they are just **not real life**. That’s a problem with sitcoms? 😕 You do realize if shows were like real life it wouldn’t be enjoyable to watch, right? Why don’t you try sitting in someone’s living room and watching them for a few hours. Generally speaking… not too fun. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2014, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-family-why-is-claire-with-phil/672952/44 "2014-02-20T17:29:14Z")
> [@Bellhorn](#): > > I’m still working on why Alice married Ralph Kramden; he’s poor, fat, mean-tempered and if she ever presses a point, he threatens her with physical violence. ("One of these days… to the moon, Alice.) I’ve been trying to figure that one out for 50 years. But his threats were just that: threats. He was also kind and affectionate, and whatever he gave to her, she gave right back. Their relationship was toxic, but they genuinely loved each other. ---
**Author:** ![Bellhorn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@Bellhorn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bellhorn)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2014, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-family-why-is-claire-with-phil/672952/45 "2014-02-21T13:18:24Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > But his threats were just that: threats. He was also kind and affectionate, and whatever he gave to her, she gave right back. Their relationship was toxic, but they genuinely loved each other. But isn’t that part of the cycle of dysfunction that women with low self-esteem fall victim to? But Alice didn’t seem to have low self-esteem, so it doesn’t make sense to me. (It’s different than, say, Lois and Peter Griffin from _Family Guy_, because Lois is portrayed as more than a little nutty and craxy.) But I’m a big fan of _The Honeymooners_, nonetheless, and I’m still trying to figure out the Ralph-Alice relationship. As a bonus, when I figure that one out, I’ll also solve the mystery of the relationship between Fred and Wilma Flinstone. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2014, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-family-why-is-claire-with-phil/672952/46 "2014-02-21T15:00:41Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > Cam and Mitch are the two whose connection is least explicable and lease formed by the writers, imho. Neither of them are likable. I agree. I don’t see why Claire and Phil are together, but I really don’t see why Cam and Mitchell are together. They don’t seem to even like each other much. Maybe the idea is just that Claire and Mitchell both turned out the same way and are attracted to their own opposites. And Julie Bowen? I have to wince at how emaciated she is getting herself. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2014, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-family-why-is-claire-with-phil/672952/47 "2014-02-21T15:09:20Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > I agree. I don’t see why Claire and Phil are together, but I really don’t see why Cam and Mitchell are together. They don’t seem to even like each other much. See, I think Cam and Mitch adore each other. Their little snipes never seem truly mean and they forgive each other instantly. Ultimately they accept each others faults, and while not necessarily liking them, seem to genuinely care about each other. ---
**Author:** ![bathsheba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@bathsheba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bathsheba)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2014, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-family-why-is-claire-with-phil/672952/48 "2014-02-21T22:26:01Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > I just caught one of the reruns. The one where Haley is going for her driver’s test. Claire is talking to Alex trying to find out why she doesn’t want to go to the school dance. She decides its because Alex doesn’t know how to dance. So she starts to dance to show her (only slightly better than Elaine Benes). Alex says something like, “Now the whole you with Dad thing makes more sense.” This. Every now and again it’s Clair making a groan worthy pun and then she and Phil will silently high five each other. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2014, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-family-why-is-claire-with-phil/672952/49 "2014-02-22T01:05:58Z")
Claire is absurdly hot, and I appreciate the occasional gems of dialogue, but the determined immaturity of almost all the adults is something of a turn off. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2014, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-family-why-is-claire-with-phil/672952/50 "2014-02-22T01:33:36Z")
Phil brings home the bacon. Enough to afford Claire the lifestyle she wants. Plus they truly love each other. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-family-why-is-claire-with-phil/672952.md?page=2)