Herbie Murray
In the TV show Shameless, Debbie Gallagher has a relationship with a 20-year-old character named Matty. Despite knowing that Debbie is 13, Matty continues to spend time with her, holding her hand, cuddling, and sleeping in the same bed. Although Matty does not have sex with Debbie, he states that he will when she is 16. Many viewers interpret this as grooming behaviour. In one episode, Debbie rapes Matty, which some viewers attribute to the dynamic he created.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of 20-year-old | Matty |
| Name of TV show | Shameless |
| Age of Debbie | 13 |
| Relationship status | Debbie raped Matty |
| Nature of the relationship | Grooming, inappropriate, pedophilic |
Explore related products
![Big Stone Gap [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/A1WnDgld5yL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
![Thomas Crown Affair (1999) (WS/BD) [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81ouWdTrgOL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
Debbie's relationship with a 20-year-old
Debbie Gallagher's relationship with a 20-year-old in Shameless has sparked controversy among viewers, with many criticising the dynamic between the characters due to age differences and consent issues.
In the show, Debbie, who is 13, meets Matt or Matty, a 20-year-old man, at an arcade. Debbie attempts to seduce Matt, but he rejects her, and they agree to be friends. Despite this, Matt continues to spend time with Debbie, holding her hand, sleeping in the same bed, and treating her like a girlfriend. He even tells her that they can have sex when she turns 16, which is still under the age of consent. This behaviour is widely considered grooming, as Matt is taking advantage of a child who is much younger and more impressionable than him.
Some viewers have pointed out that Matt knew Debbie's age and still chose to maintain contact with her, which is highly inappropriate. It is argued that a 20-year-old with his own apartment and adult problems should not be spending time with a 13-year-old who is still in middle school. The power imbalance and Matt's influence over Debbie are evident in their interactions, and his behaviour is deemed predatory and creepy.
The relationship between Debbie and the 20-year-old man is further complicated by the fact that Debbie rapes him. While some viewers recognise the seriousness of rape, they also acknowledge that Debbie was a minor and that Matt was encouraging a relationship with her. The blame for the rape is placed on Matt, as he should never have put himself in a position where such an incident could occur.
The dynamic between Debbie and the 20-year-old man, Matt or Matty, highlights issues of grooming, consent, and power imbalances. Despite Debbie's actions, viewers recognise that she was a child and that the responsibility for the inappropriate relationship falls primarily on the adult in the situation.
Sleep-wimpering: Why your 3-month-old baby cries in their sleep
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Matty's inappropriate behaviour
Matty's behaviour is widely regarded as grooming. Even though he did not have sex with Debbie, his actions are deemed inappropriate for an adult to engage in with a minor. Matty's decision to continue spending time with Debbie and treating her like a girlfriend is seen as manipulative and an abuse of power.
Matty's behaviour is contrasted with Debbie's actions, which are also criticised. While some viewers acknowledge that Debbie was wrong, they emphasise that she was a child and did not know better. The responsibility for the situation is placed on Matty, the adult, who should have never allowed the situation to occur.
The storyline involving Matty and Debbie is described as bizarre and strange, with many viewers questioning why a 20-year-old man would want to spend time with a 13-year-old girl. Some viewers express surprise that Matty did not face any consequences for his actions, such as being beaten up by Lip, Debbie's brother.
Vacation Sleep Solutions for Your 4-Month-Old Baby
You may want to see also
Matty's intentions
On the other hand, some viewers defend Matty, arguing that he did not sleep with Debbie and even got mad when she raped him. They suggest that he was trying to seem honorable by not wanting to seem like a creep, and that he was simply opposed to having sex with a minor. However, others counter this by pointing out that he still hung out with Debbie and acted like they were in a relationship, which is considered strange and potentially indicative of his intentions to eventually pursue a sexual relationship with her when she was older.
Matty's actions, regardless of his intentions, had a significant impact on Debbie, who was a minor. Even if he did not physically sleep with her, his behaviour and the dynamic he established with her were inappropriate and potentially damaging. As an adult, Matty should have been more responsible and aware of the consequences of his actions, especially given the power dynamic and age difference between them.
While some viewers may sympathize with Matty or see him as a victim, it is important to recognize that his actions and intentions were, at best, questionable and, at worst, predatory. His behaviour towards Debbie, regardless of her subsequent actions, was inappropriate and contributed to a dynamic that was inherently imbalanced and potentially harmful.
Traveling with a Toddler: Where Should They Sleep?
You may want to see also
Matty's knowledge of Debbie's age
Matty, a 20-year-old man, met 13-year-old Debbie at an arcade and rejected her advances, agreeing to be friends instead. Despite knowing her age, Matty continued to spend time with Debbie, holding her hand, inviting her over to his apartment, and sleeping in the same bed with his arm around her waist. Matty told Debbie that they could have sex when she turned 16, which is still underage.
Matty's behaviour towards Debbie is widely regarded as grooming. A 20-year-old man should not be attracted to a 13-year-old girl, and it was inappropriate for him to continue spending time with her, especially in the absence of her parents or guardians. Matty's actions, such as holding her hand and inviting her to his apartment, indicate that he was encouraging a romantic relationship with a minor.
It is important to note that Debbie's age is explicitly mentioned in these discussions, indicating that Matty was fully aware that she was only 13 years old. Despite this knowledge, he continued to pursue a relationship with her, which is a form of grooming and an abuse of power.
Some viewers have defended Matty, arguing that he did not sleep with Debbie and even got angry when she raped him. However, it is argued that Matty's continued involvement with Debbie, despite knowing her age, is inappropriate and that he should have cut off contact completely.
The storyline involving Matty and Debbie has been criticised for its bizarre nature and the lack of consequences for Matty's actions. It is suggested that the other characters in the show, such as Lip, should have intervened and held Matty accountable for his inappropriate behaviour towards a minor.
Sleep: The 22-Year-Old's Superpower to Success
You may want to see also
Matty's continued involvement with Debbie
Matty's behaviour is seen as inappropriate and predatory, especially considering Debbie's youthful appearance and demeanour. Even after discovering her age, Matty continued their relationship, sleeping in the same bed and treating her like a girlfriend. Some viewers defend Matty, arguing that he did not know Debbie's age at first and that their interactions were not solely sexual. However, the power imbalance and his persistence in pursuing a relationship with a minor are concerning.
Matty's actions have significant repercussions for Debbie, who develops a distorted view of relationships and consent. She becomes jealous of Matty's interactions with other girls and takes extreme measures to threaten them. Additionally, Matty's influence may contribute to Debbie's future decisions and behaviour, such as her date rape of Matty and her relationship with Claudia and Julia, where she faces charges of statutory rape.
While Matty's intentions may be debated, his continued involvement with Debbie normalises predatory behaviour and contributes to the complex dynamics portrayed in the show. His actions have a lasting impact on Debbie's character development, highlighting the importance of addressing such themes with sensitivity and awareness.
Drooling in Sleep: Common in Elderly, Here's Why
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
No, she did not.
Debbie met Matt, a 20-year-old man at an arcade. She tried to seduce him, but he rejected her and they decided to be friends. He told her that they could have sex when she was 16.
Debbie was 13 years old.
No, he was not. Although he did not sleep with her, it was wrong of him to hang out with a 13-year-old girl and treat her like a girlfriend. Many viewers have called him a groomer.
