Family Matters: Steve Urkel's parents would be considered neglectful today

Where were Herb and Diane Urkel?

What once was laughed at on situation comedies probably would not be aired today. Steve Q Urkel gave audiences lots of laughs on Family Matters, but there was a dark side hidden in plain sight. The nerdy kid's parents, Herb and Diane Urkel, by today's standards, would be considered neglectful.

Some websites suggest that Urkel's parents appeared early in the sitcom, but others reveal that the mom and dad of Jaleel White's popular character were never seen. I have binge-watched the show and do not recall seeing Dr. Herb and Diane Urkel.

Steven Quincy debuted in 1989 in the 12th episode of season one, titled Laura's First Date. He remained for the duration of the ABC and later CBS program, and his parents, who were MIA, should have been brought up on charges of neglect and later abandonment.

Steve had a good sense of humor

Steve had a sense of humor about how his parents treated him, often making jokes about their attitudes. Carl Winslow (Reginald Vel Johnson) was a police officer, but his spidey senses never kicked in where Urkel was concerned.

Carl and Harriet Winsloe (Joy Marie Peyton) often found their next-door neighbors' son in their home at all hours of the day and even late at night. They never once approached the Urkel home to discuss what was taking place.

In the episode Higher Anxiety, Steve talks to his mom on Winslow's telephone, but she does not seem to care that he is bugging her neighbors. Steve teased that when he was born, his dad tried to push him back inside his mom's body.

The Urkel's had contempt for their son and did their best to avoid him. This is why Steve was always hanging around the Winslow home. His favorite greeting was "Heidi Ho Winslows."

The Urkel clan

Steve had relatives on his father's side of the family. His uncles were Cecil, Ernie, Omar, Dirk, and Big Daddy Urkel. His aunts were Muriel and Oona (from Altoona), portrayed by Donna Summer.

Steve's cousins include Myrtle and Julie, Cleotus and Cornelius (OGD). Some of them were only spoken of but a few did show up a time or two.The running gag of Steve being so annoying that the Winslow family and his own parents did not want him around was laughed at but is pretty sad.

After Stefan Urkelle was created, Herb and Diane allegedly loved him and introduced him to the rest of the family while treating Steve like the clan's black sheep.

All of these actions would be considered child neglect and child abuse today. It's a wonder Harriet didn't go over to the neighbors and give them a piece of her mind about how they treated their son, but the writers made it all seem humorous.

Steve Urkel was abandoned

The Family Matters writers made Steve a joke during his time on the sitcom, so his parents' mistreatment of him was laughed at. In season 6, Herb gets a job in Russia, and he and Diane do the unthinkable.

They sell their house and move out of the country. Steve is not told until afterward, which lets the audience know he is unwanted. In one episode, he tells the Winslows he is moving to Russia with his parents, but they leave him high and dry, and he moves in with the reluctant next-door neighbors.

Diane and Herb essentially abandoned Steven Q Urkle. Nothing was said about their sending money for the Winslow family to care for their son. Unfortunately, the show's context makes everything seem fun and laughs, but this is serious.

Herb and Diane were bad parents

The Family Matters audience bought what was being sold because Steve is so nerdy, even his mother and father don't want anything to do with him. Child protective services would be called in such a situation today, and the Urkels might face jail time.

However, if Carl and Harriet had pity for Steve and adopted him, he would have been Laura Winslow's (Kelly Shanygne Williams's adopted brother, and they would not have fallen in love. Still, Herb and Diane were negligent parents to a son who was being bullied at school and needed their support.