The family in Family Ties is certainly not what most of the families I know look like. The way they greet one another when they walk into a room and engage in conversation with one another is far more mature and sophisticated than the families I have seen in my life. Oftentimes I will be in the same room as one of my family members and we will not engage in conversation at all, other than acknowleding one another's presence. Also, the family's physical appearance is unrealistic. They always look and dress their best, while I know, at least in my family, is extremely common to walk around the house in sweatshirts and jeans and no makeup. They also seemed to be together a lot of the time, as a whole family. Oftentimes it is rare to be able to collect the entire family in one room for more than ten minutes because everyone has their own things to do.