70 up, very excited

I understand that you feel your generation took greater responsibility for its circumstances Musicgirl, but I don't think it's fair to conclude that yours is the last generation capable of doing so. People in every generation have different circumstances and levels of responsibility. I felt disappointed rather than anything else as I feel the series showed how, generation to generation we have improved the lives of so many.

Challenging condescension can be useful because otherwise a statement like “our generation is the last to take responsibility” goes unexamined and gets treated as an established fact when it's really a subjective generational judgement.

It was my view, with which you disagreed, as is your right. However, even when I disagree with people on here I try not to make it personal by telling them that they are rude, condescending or wrong. Mostly, I scroll past such comments but if it is a subject about which I have an interest and, in my mind, a valid view, I will express my thoughts without having a dig at the poster. I do not expect everyone to agree with me but l would hope that they would do the same as l do and show me the courtesy of not insulting me personally. What l am most disappointed about in this exchange is that we have taken away from a lovely thread.

The phrase “I think our generation is the last to do so” carries an implicit superiority: our generation took responsibility; younger generations don't.

@DaisyAnneReturns, I don't know what l said that was condescending; you are obviously seeing something more into my comments than I intended. If you mean the comment about accepting responsibility, what is wrong with that? I did not, anywhere, say that no one under pensionable age accepts responsibility; there are many that do but, equally, it is more common in younger generations for some people to try to blame anyone but themselves for their problems. Of course life happens and things occur that are not our fault but there are times when we are at fault and have to acknowledge it. I have worked as a music teacher for over forty years and I can definitely see a difference in the general maturity of the children l first taught and those of today. Still delightful children in most cases but not as mature or resilient. I know many others who have noticed the same thing. If you ever look at Mumsnet, attitudes are certainly different from my generation. Some of this is a good thing but quite a lot fills me with concern for the future. Adolescence seems to extend into the twenties for many people these days, whereas most of us were definitely adults - many married with children. If you consider my views to be condescending, so be it. It wasn't my intention but, equally, I am not apologising for them. We must agree to disagree.

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I absolutely loved this series and it was no disappointment for me. One of the best things I’ve ever seen. I didn’t watch from the very beginning, but every 7 years from the 28 Up point. Somehow, the series, especially 70 Up, always made me feel very intrigued, but also quite sad. The innocence of children at 7 gradually gets eroded as they grow up and cope with adulthood - some of the participants better than others. They are the same age as me so that made it even more relatable. I would like to have seen myself videoed at age 7 as it would be an insight into me (even though I’m camera-shy now!). A very fascinating and poignant documentary. Well done the documentary makers.

fancyflowers

Clawdy

Sad to hear Bruce was sent to boarding school when he was five. Very similar to Paul and Symon in the children's home.

I agree about Bruce. What parents can send a boy to boarding school aged 5? For Paul and Symon it was different. Their family circumstances dictated it.

In many ways, Bruce was not much better off than the two boys in the children’s home. His boarding school appeared to be very Spartan with little in the way of home comforts. Despite all this, he has always had a lovely, gentle nature and has spent his life helping others, including Neil at one point when Neil was in a particularly desperate situation. For this reason, I think Bruce is my favourite. I like all the participants, though, and every single person has taken responsibility for their lives, whatever happened to them. I think our generation is the last to do so.

I didn't think it disappointing at all. I found it so very moving - the best documentary ever.

Similar age to the participants & think it must be so strange watching yourself at a younger age. Think it would be difficult to relate to how I was at 7 and 14. Although wish there was videos of me as I got older would be nice to look back but not sure I'd want the general public to view.
Wish I had videos of my sons but alas only photos as we couldn't afford a camcorder.
I guess this generation will have lots of videos. I know I have some lovely ones of the grandchildren.

I was a ten year old when the first episode was made so not much older than the participants. I haven’t watched 70Up yet because I’ve been catching up on some of the previous episodes, but I’m looking forward to to seeing what they’ve been up to.
I’ve just finished 56Up so not many more to watch .

Clawdy

Sad to hear Bruce was sent to boarding school when he was five. Very similar to Paul and Symon in the children's home.

I agree about Bruce. What parents can send a boy to boarding school aged 5? For Paul and Symon it was different. Their family circumstances dictated it.

Sad to hear Bruce was sent to boarding school when he was five. Very similar to Paul and Symon in the children's home.

I agree Musicgirl I think there's something missing in this production without Michael Apted at the helm. I know there's a need to recap previous series but the latest one at 70 just seems to have little substance and depth as you say.
It's going to be a difficult watch next week though, when we hear about poor Lynn's demise and Nick's last piece to camera shortly before he passed away, I think we'll all have our hankies ready

I have just watched the episode on ITV X. I am nine years younger than the people featured and the first episode l saw was when they were 28. I have watched each episode since and caught up with the early ones recently. It has been fascinating. At the beginning of this episode, I was thinking that it was not up to the standard of earlier programmes as there was not as much depth. Then we came to Bruce, who has always seemed to be a lovely person and did not have the relationship with his father he would have liked. When he read the very moving letter his father had written to him when he was a young man, the tears came to my eyes and Paul and Symon, who spent time in a children's home, sharing their experiences was also very emotional. I think Neil is the one we all look for. What a life he has had. Naturally, as l have grown older, the age gap has closed and most of their lifetime is the same as mine. My husband is only two years younger than them and, like many on Gransnet, l suspect, an almost exact contemporary. I think this is why this documentary series has meant so much to so many of us. We are seeing our lives unfold through theirs. The fact that two of the participants have, sadly, died is also very much a part of our lives too, unfortunately. I will have my handkerchief ready for the next episode.

Yes, there is a whole other story we don't know. Whether or not he would want to share it, only he knows.
He had such potential which surfaced in positive ways from time to time.

Yes there seems to be an underlying sadness attached to Neil's upbringing. He said in one of the episodes that he never had stability in his childhood but didn't go into details. Something definitely happened between aged 7 and 14 he changed from that joyful, lovely little soul to a troubled teenager. It was so sad to watch him, homeless and nomadic in the early episodes but somehow managing to strive to become a Lib Dem councillor then a lay preacher. But again, he has surprised us by relocating to France this time. I hope he writes a book on his life, I imagine it would be quite an interesting read

honeyrose

I think only the first episode has been aired and the second one is next week. Very emotional - it made me evaluate my own life and be grateful for all life has given me. Ups and downs certainly, but good mainly. How on earth do they keep track of some of the participants - especially Neil who appears to be quite nomadic. What a sad, lonely character he appears to be and what an engaging, amusing, beautiful child he was at age 7. Love this programme - I find it fascinating. I’ve been watching it since 21 Up or maybe 28 Up. I’m about the same age and this made it all the more poignant for me. Looking forward to next week’s episode.

What a sad, lonely character he appears to be and what an engaging, amusing, beautiful child he was at age 7.

Yes, he was such a beautiful, happy child at 7, skipping home to Mummy who was going to make him a cup of tea.

It leaves one wondering what happened, why Neil became such a troubled soul. It also brings up the big question of nature or nurture.

It is a sign of the times that only a few girls were chosen at the start (1964) as they would not make interesting viewing because they would marry and stay at home with their children.

Thanks. I've now caught up.
I loved it in the early years but soon began to feel it was too invasive and voyeuristic as were all fly-on-the-wall documentaries.

I am pleased that most seem to have had full and reasonably happy lives, like the rest of us.

Nm i got it now👍

70 up?

7 up?
Not 70 and up. no?

I think only the first episode has been aired and the second one is next week. Very emotional - it made me evaluate my own life and be grateful for all life has given me. Ups and downs certainly, but good mainly. How on earth do they keep track of some of the participants - especially Neil who appears to be quite nomadic. What a sad, lonely character he appears to be and what an engaging, amusing, beautiful child he was at age 7. Love this programme - I find it fascinating. I’ve been watching it since 21 Up or maybe 28 Up. I’m about the same age and this made it all the more poignant for me. Looking forward to next week’s episode.

Thanks. I’ll look forward to it.

Doodledog

Are there more episodes to follow?

One more next week.