They’re such an important part of our lives that it’s just not possible to accept they’re not real. Although a sitcom, the characters sketched in F.R.I.E.N.D.S had many dimensions, just as a real human would have, and these human qualities make them all the more relatable. However, there are sides to the life of these legendary characters which would have broken the spirits of many of us had we gone through it. There’s a lot to learn from this 90s television series as we look deep into the lives of the characters. Chandler Bing – used humor as a defense mechanism Chandler Bing, the king of sarcasm who wears the wits in his sleeves has seen a lot more than average. It’s hard to say if he was joking when he said his first cigarette after nap time at the age of nine reminded him of the good old times. Age nine indeed was a crucial time for the Chang Chang man for that was the year his parents announced divorce on the Thanksgiving Table. With a cross-dressing father and an erotic novel writer for a mother, Bing’s childhood can be accounted for his neurotic behavior. However, his sense of humor, which he used as a defense mechanism, helped him out throughout, even when he learned he could never be a father.

Monica Geller/Bing – struggled constantly for approval

Monica’s childhood was very typical of a second-born sibling. She grew up looking at the disapproval in the eyes her mother who preferred her elder brother, Ross over her. This could very well be the catalyst to low self-esteem, leading to depression and obesity which Monica suffered from throughout her childhood and teens.

It’s interesting to see how when Monica grows up, although she loses her weight, becomes extremely competitive and showed every sign of control issues and obsessive compulsive disorder. Also, the tendency of going out of the way to please people in her adulthood suggested her fear of being less likable, which arose from the lack of approval she received as a child.

Joey Tribbiani – struggled as aspiring artist for years

One look at Joey’s life and you’d say there’s nothing wrong about it. However, Joey’s life was far from perfect. The man had no savings, his career prospects were bleak and he depended on his buddy, Chandler for funds most of the time.

He probably put on the face of a dimwit, simpleton who is not affected by anything other than food or women in order to show the world that his failing career and constant rejections did not bother him. However, anyone who has struggled for years to become an artist without funds and connections would know how difficult life can be.