Seth MacFarlane Finally Reveals Why Meg Griffin Gets Treated So Badly On Family Guy — And Fans Are Not Okay With It

If you’ve ever watched Family Guy, you know one thing for sure: Meg Griffin cannot catch a break. She’s been the show’s punching bag for over two decades — and apparently, there’s a reason for that.

Seth MacFarlane, the creator of the long-running animated sitcom, has finally explained why Meg has been the perpetual target of every insult, humiliation, and cruel joke. And let’s just say… fans aren’t exactly thrilled with his answer.

For the uninitiated, Family Guy follows the misadventures of the Griffin family in Quahog, Rhode Island — and it’s been a staple of dark humor since its debut in 1999. The voice cast is stacked, featuring MacFarlane as Peter (the often clueless dad), Brian (the talking dog), and Stewie (the evil baby genius).

Then there’s Alex Borstein as the sharp-tongued wife Lois, Seth Green as the dimwitted son Chris, and Mila Kunis as Meg, the chronically unlucky teenage daughter. Fun fact: Kunis was only 15 when she first voiced Meg — and she’s still doing it today.

But here’s the thing: Meg isn’t just unlucky. She’s arguably one of the most relentlessly mocked characters in television history.

Her classmates hate her. Her own family constantly bullies her. Even the talking dog has taken a few jabs.

Over the years, Meg’s storylines have included everything from being mocked for her looks to being ignored, rejected, and occasionally date-shamed in truly bizarre ways. Her love interests? Let’s just say they range from questionable to outright disturbing.

Remember the time she dated Mayor West, who was way too old for her? Or when Jimmy Fallon used her as the butt of a prank on his talk show? Not to mention the time she had a crush on Brian the dog. Yes — her dog.

Meg’s entire identity has become one giant running gag about being unwanted and miserable. But it didn’t start that way.

In the early episodes, Meg was meant to be a normal teenage girl — awkward, sure, but relatable and part of the family dynamic. Somewhere along the way, though, the writers turned her into a target, and it stuck.

So why the shift? According to MacFarlane, it came down to one surprising reason: the writers didn’t know how to write for teenage girls.

In an interview highlighted by Hollywood Insider, MacFarlane admitted that his mostly male writing team struggled to portray Meg in a realistic way. Instead of trying harder or bringing in new perspectives, they made her the butt of the joke.

He explained that the decision to make Meg unpopular came from “a bunch of male writers not knowing how to write for a teenage girl.” Apparently, they found it “therapeutic” to take out their creative frustrations by putting Meg through the wringer.

Unsurprisingly, fans weren’t impressed by that confession. Many were quick to point out what seems like a painfully obvious solution.

“Maybe hire a few female writers?” one person wrote on social media, summing up what thousands of viewers were thinking.

Another commenter didn’t hold back, saying: “I personally never found the mistreatment of a teenage girl funny. Out of all the directions they could have gone, the writers consistently chose to punch down.”

Others echoed that sentiment, arguing that Meg’s treatment over the years hasn’t just been cruel — it’s been lazy writing. One user even said they think “Seth MacFarlane and the writing team have a lot to answer for” in how they depicted a teenage girl character.

Meg Griffin has been the show’s punching bag for over two decades — and apparently, there’s a reason for that.

Adult Swim

In an interview with Hollywood Insider, Seth MacFarlane explained that the decision to make Meg unpopular came from “a bunch of male writers not knowing how to write for a teenage girl.”

Eric McCandless/Disney via Getty Image

Apparently, they found it “therapeutic” to take out their creative frustrations by putting Meg through the wringer.

IMDB

Understanding Character Dynamics

Dr. Susan David, an esteemed psychologist, points out that characters like Meg Griffin often symbolize the universal experience of feeling misunderstood or marginalized. This dynamic resonates with audiences who have experienced similar feelings in their own lives.

In her research on emotional agility, she emphasizes that such portrayals can impact viewers' perceptions of self-worth and acceptance. Furthermore, the relentless mockery of Meg can reinforce negative stereotypes, showcasing how humor can sometimes perpetuate harmful social norms.

The Impact of Humor on Society

Comedic portrayals in media significantly influence societal attitudes. Dr. John Van Epp, a relationship counselor, argues that humor can either challenge or reinforce societal narratives.

When characters are persistently ridiculed, as seen with Meg, it can normalize bullying behavior in real life. To counteract this, creators should aim to weave in positive messages, promoting empathy and understanding. By developing storylines where characters learn from their mistakes, shows can encourage viewers to reflect on their behavior and foster a more respectful dialogue.

Unsurprisingly, fans weren’t impressed by that confession.

TV Tropes

“Maybe hire a few female writers?” one person wrote on social media, summing up what thousands of viewers were thinking.

Looper

For longtime fans, this revelation is like finally getting an answer to a mystery no one really wanted solved. It’s one thing to know why Meg’s life is a never-ending disaster — but it’s another to hear it was all because no one on the writing team could relate to her.

Still, some argue that Meg’s character serves as a dark mirror to how society treats teenage girls in general — ignored, mocked, and dismissed for just existing. Whether intentional or not, she’s become an exaggerated reflection of how cruel people can be when they don’t understand someone.

But for most viewers, the explanation just feels disappointing. After all these years, fans didn’t expect Meg’s suffering to have such a simple — and fixable — cause.

And honestly, they’re right. It wouldn’t have taken much to give Meg the character development she deserves. Just a few new writers in the room could have turned her from a running joke into one of TV’s most complex, misunderstood teens.

After all these years, fans didn’t expect Meg’s suffering to have such a simple — and fixable — cause.

Prime Video

Family dynamics in television often reflect broader societal issues. A cultural analyst notes that the depiction of Meg's character serves as a lens through which viewers can examine themes of bullying and acceptance.

To foster a more inclusive narrative, creators might consider diversifying character arcs to represent resilience and personal growth. By allowing characters like Meg to evolve, shows can teach valuable lessons about empathy and understanding, ultimately benefiting both the audience and the narrative as a whole.

Watch Mila Kunis as she talks about Meg's poor treatment over the years.

At the end of the day, Meg Griffin might just be a cartoon character, but her treatment has sparked a much bigger conversation about how young women are portrayed on TV. Whether or not the writers ever give her the respect she deserves, one thing’s clear — fans are done laughing at her pain.

Solutions & Coping Strategies

The portrayal of Meg Griffin raises critical questions about social acceptance and the consequences of humor in media. Experts like Dr. Susan David highlight the psychological impact such characters have on audiences, serving as reflections of our own insecurities.

As we navigate these complex portrayals, embracing more positive narratives could lead to greater empathy and understanding within society. By fostering character growth and resilience, creators could redefine humor to uplift rather than belittle, paving the way for more inclusive storytelling in popular culture.