Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Give me a child until he is seven, and I will give you the man.
Over the last week I have immersed myself in the lives of 14 English children and their lives.
Of course, I'm talking about the kids from 7 Up, the Michael Apted series that began in 1964 and has since continued every seven years.
In the lead-up to the Australian premiere of 56 Up tonight on SBS, SBSTWO has screened them all in succession so I've made it a priority to watch each of them through for the first time.
I've loved it.
7 Up was the social experiment to begin all social experiments. A group of English 7-year-olds were picked from a range of socio-economical backgrounds and questioned on where they might be educated and what they want to do as grown-ups. For the more upper-class of the group their education was more or less mapped out for them, and it was only dependent on actual academic effort between them getting there or not.
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| A 7 Up reunion at 21 |
It remains refreshing how one never achieved great heights or stuck with some of his ambitions, but he never felt anything was lacking. And that another really found himself after migrating to Australia.
Then with some brilliant editing, the most emotive part came as one revealed why he would never have children, putting his eccentricity and mood issues squarely at blame.
The upper-class boys are of particular interest. One hasn't appeared since 21, while another, John, disappeared for 28, came back for 35, disappeared at 42 and returned again for 49.
To what some would view as to his character's detriment, John's choice behind appearing on the show as an adult, has really exclusively been linked to his work in establishing the Friends of Bulgaria charity. It was only at 35 that we discovered he had Bulgarian heritage with strong links to the development of the country, while at 49 he acknowledged the publicity as the charity began helped them receive more funding. The lack of gratitude is what didn't sit right.
Appearing most prominent as the group go through adulthood are their perceptions on what the show does for them. Some seemingly don't mind it but others hate it. For one reason or another they continue with it, and there could be many reasons for that. But it also appears that some of the "rich kids" have more of an issue on wanting to participate because they don't see the point. Or is it that they think they've been victimised because of what they were born into?
John at 49 said he understood the interest with shows like Big Brother but, confusingly to me, questioned the value. For those watching the value is unquestionable. Every seven years people are given a reminder about taking life in their stride, and perhaps undertaking their own reflection on life. Seeing how life can turn over what really isn't that long a period is of extreme human interest. But it's most valuable to those involved - a time capsule of your life is something to be proud of, no matter the circumstances (as has become clear to the audience). Yes, the crew ask the hard-hitting questions, but that's life. And that's precisely what the program aims to show in its later stages. Life.
***
On a personal note, 28 made me the most emotional, partly because it got me thinking: what the hell will I be doing at 28, and where will I be?
A lot of this group had gotten married, and some even with kids, when that seemed down and out judging by their 21-year-old attitudes. For me, I don't see ANY of that happening in the next five years based on my life right now.
But over this week the program has shown me that seven years may not seem a long period, but it's long enough. I used to think I could imagine myself in five years, but honestly, I don't know what I'll be doing tomorrow.
It's all very scary and exciting at the same time.
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