The last time Elly caught Michael and Elizabeth in a brawl like this (7/20/2017), their “punishment” was sending them to summer camp. Since that obviously didn’t work (no surprise there), Elly is trying to appeal to the idea that her kids deep down actually like each other and the only problem they have is that they need to find an activity they can both do together to set up the “punch” line. Then she just walks off and leaves them to start fighting again and that is the joke.
I know Lynn Johnston has put Michael and Elizabeth into the trademarked Beetle Bailey/Sergeant Snorkle comedy cloud of battle, but I have some problems with the idea that Michael beating up on his 4 years younger sister is supposed to be funny. I know the last time I mentioned this, there were a number of other commenters who thought boys beating up on girls was hilarious, but it still bothers me.
Not all sibling rivalry gets resolved in adulthood, sadly. My brother never “liked” me as a child and once my parents died, he cut the strings forever between us, despite everything I and the rest of my family did to preserve a semblance of relationship…. some people are like that no matter what you do. Luckily, most siblings outgrow this rivalry and competition stage….
Mike and Elizabeth get along fairly well most of the time.But while some siblings are life long friends – others are life long enemies and NEVER get along as long as they live.My younger sister and I are as different as day and night, the brawling and hair pulling never stopped till we moved out of Mom’s house.Even now – in our 50’s we can’t be in the same room for 15 minutes before the squabbling starts up.It’s a shame we have to share the same time zone but thank goodness we live in different states.Younger siblings have been a disaster in our family for 2 generations – I should have been an only child and the only thing we ever agreed on was we never wanted our kids to have to suffer like we did with a sibling.We each have one child – a boy for me – a girl for her – and everyone is very happy about that.
So much for the mature, sensitive young man who was courting Martha. After beating up on someone younger and smaller than him, we are back to Michael the pig.
The newspaper cuts the first line of the Sunday strip, and especially today, for example, the whole story didn’t makes sense…but now it does. It is true, even in real life, siblings just know how to set the other one toward a fight.
Michael is four years older – that far older, siblings ignore them mostly due to having nothing in common. Different genders? Even more so. I puzzle over that they fight. How could Liz be capable of fighting with Michael without getting hurt? Michael is 12, starting to develop some muscles, is getting some height over Liz so he can seriously hurt Liz. Between ages of 12 and 8, typically, Liz is just a pest to Michael and he is likely to simply ignore her. Likely scenario: Michael grabs the last soda. Liz sees it and declares it hers. Michael pats her on the head and says “Sorry, I got here first. Next time” and walks away. Liz screeches at top of her lungs for her mom. OR he gives her the soda, asks Elly for a few dollars for soda and walks to the corner store. Either is the more appropriate scene for siblings with large gaps in their ages. Perhaps if Michael is inherently cruel, he might shove her sister and tell her to go away, walk away with the soda. My husband is 5 years older than his brother and these were what happened and so did other people I know with similar sibling dynamics. Instead of being exasperated as she is in this strip, Elly should have a serious talk with Michael about hurting Liz as he is now developing some muscles and gaining height.
As a devil’s advocate argument, suppose instead of Michael and Elizabeth, this strip showed Elly and John fighting like that, and Elly ends up with a black eye. It is doubtful that there would be many “just a comic” comments. How come when adults hits each other, they could face charges of assault or spousal abuse, but when kids hit each other it is either viewed as cute or “part of growing up”?
Templo S.U.D. about 7 years ago
So much for that parental lecture. (Sad how Michael never got a brother when after April came in… years later. Both lads would get along just fine.)
howtheduck about 7 years ago
The last time Elly caught Michael and Elizabeth in a brawl like this (7/20/2017), their “punishment” was sending them to summer camp. Since that obviously didn’t work (no surprise there), Elly is trying to appeal to the idea that her kids deep down actually like each other and the only problem they have is that they need to find an activity they can both do together to set up the “punch” line. Then she just walks off and leaves them to start fighting again and that is the joke.
I know Lynn Johnston has put Michael and Elizabeth into the trademarked Beetle Bailey/Sergeant Snorkle comedy cloud of battle, but I have some problems with the idea that Michael beating up on his 4 years younger sister is supposed to be funny. I know the last time I mentioned this, there were a number of other commenters who thought boys beating up on girls was hilarious, but it still bothers me.
GirlGeek Premium Member about 7 years ago
Don’t worry, Elly they will literally grow out of this when they become adults #spoilers
Sir Ruddy Blighter about 7 years ago
For future reference, Elizabeth, if you tap on the top of the can three times, the soda won’t gush out after someone shakes it.
M2MM about 7 years ago
My sister and I were the same…. always scrapping. Funny though, she doesn’t remember any of it.
BJB about 7 years ago
Darn I thought Mom would take the pop and open it herself, wosh!!!!
dlkrueger33 about 7 years ago
Not all sibling rivalry gets resolved in adulthood, sadly. My brother never “liked” me as a child and once my parents died, he cut the strings forever between us, despite everything I and the rest of my family did to preserve a semblance of relationship…. some people are like that no matter what you do. Luckily, most siblings outgrow this rivalry and competition stage….
sandpiper about 7 years ago
If they enjoy the battle, why not continue? Each could reach a better appreciation of the other
Anon4242 about 7 years ago
Mike and Elizabeth get along fairly well most of the time.But while some siblings are life long friends – others are life long enemies and NEVER get along as long as they live.My younger sister and I are as different as day and night, the brawling and hair pulling never stopped till we moved out of Mom’s house.Even now – in our 50’s we can’t be in the same room for 15 minutes before the squabbling starts up.It’s a shame we have to share the same time zone but thank goodness we live in different states.Younger siblings have been a disaster in our family for 2 generations – I should have been an only child and the only thing we ever agreed on was we never wanted our kids to have to suffer like we did with a sibling.We each have one child – a boy for me – a girl for her – and everyone is very happy about that.
rgwalther about 7 years ago
In my almost 17 years living at home, I did not see one soft drink in my house. Pretty much the same story in the 50 years since.
UpaCoCoCreek Premium Member about 7 years ago
Ah the good times! At least they’re doing it together.
Norman L Jones about 7 years ago
Mike’s hair is back in panels 7 & 8 but neither kid has any face features.
rebelstrike0 about 7 years ago
So much for the mature, sensitive young man who was courting Martha. After beating up on someone younger and smaller than him, we are back to Michael the pig.
wellis1947 Premium Member about 7 years ago
I assume, from the evidence, that Elly was an only child – either that or she suffers from a MASSIVE case of ‘selective’ memory!
JennyJenkins about 7 years ago
The newspaper cuts the first line of the Sunday strip, and especially today, for example, the whole story didn’t makes sense…but now it does. It is true, even in real life, siblings just know how to set the other one toward a fight.
capricorn9th about 7 years ago
Michael is four years older – that far older, siblings ignore them mostly due to having nothing in common. Different genders? Even more so. I puzzle over that they fight. How could Liz be capable of fighting with Michael without getting hurt? Michael is 12, starting to develop some muscles, is getting some height over Liz so he can seriously hurt Liz. Between ages of 12 and 8, typically, Liz is just a pest to Michael and he is likely to simply ignore her. Likely scenario: Michael grabs the last soda. Liz sees it and declares it hers. Michael pats her on the head and says “Sorry, I got here first. Next time” and walks away. Liz screeches at top of her lungs for her mom. OR he gives her the soda, asks Elly for a few dollars for soda and walks to the corner store. Either is the more appropriate scene for siblings with large gaps in their ages. Perhaps if Michael is inherently cruel, he might shove her sister and tell her to go away, walk away with the soda. My husband is 5 years older than his brother and these were what happened and so did other people I know with similar sibling dynamics. Instead of being exasperated as she is in this strip, Elly should have a serious talk with Michael about hurting Liz as he is now developing some muscles and gaining height.
USN1977 about 7 years ago
As a devil’s advocate argument, suppose instead of Michael and Elizabeth, this strip showed Elly and John fighting like that, and Elly ends up with a black eye. It is doubtful that there would be many “just a comic” comments. How come when adults hits each other, they could face charges of assault or spousal abuse, but when kids hit each other it is either viewed as cute or “part of growing up”?