Showing posts with label social experiment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label social experiment. Show all posts
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.
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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.
Saturday, April 07, 2012
It happens to all of us doesn't it? At one time or another in our lives we attempt to put ourselves out there and say 'hi world, I'm here, how you doin'?' only to find it falls flat on our faces. Part of me feels like the Dubbo social experiment has failed, which has come as more of a surprise than anything else.
While I've been told I seem reserved here, my friends back home would punch you at the very suggestion. I feel I'm definitely being myself, there are just certain elements of me that have rarely seen the light of day.
Although I love a bit of solitude, I'm not a loner. And I have friends here. Just not in different groups like I used to in Adelaide.
I was always planning to join a soccer team when I moved to sort out the whole making friends issue, it was just the wrong time of year. Before I went on my trans-Tasman trip it was the right time. I sorted out who I was playing for and would resume training on my return. It was all sweet.
Then I went to my first training. While it felt really good to run around, I soon realised I was training with mostly girls 18 or under. Not exactly what I imagined being an all-ages team. We even have a 13-year-old waiting to turn 14 so she can play!
I shouldn't have been surprised - after all, I first played Premier League (reserves) soccer at 15, but not out of choice, and I had a lot of girls my age playing with me. Then I found part of it was the same for the all-ages mens side too.
But the whole thing really hit me hard. The social experiment I was counting on had largely failed me.
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It's now over two weeks since then and there ARE some teammates that are older. I'm an optimist, so yes, there is room for change to this situation.
I may not be able to go out or share similar ideas about certain things in life with some of these girls, but I hope to really enjoy the season regardless. We did win our first game 4-3 too, which was pretty awesome.
The whole thing has shown me that making friends clearly isn't about how old they are, but that you share the same interests and enjoy each other's company. Good moral justification that one...
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