7 Up: Millennium Generation

[MacMahon]

I don't remember this at all. They started filming in 2000 with some 7 year olds. This and the subsequent 14 Up and 21 Up are also available in time for this year's 28 Up episodes.

I'm on the 7 Up episode and it's a must see. Fascinating, shocking, saddening...

sasha I agree. I also find with all those including the Apted 7 up which started in the 1960s that I always start thinking they are what their families made them and yet as they grow up in all these series their innate selves always seem to prevail and their personalities rather than what education they had or how their parents treated them. In other words mothers should not beat themselves up about their children as children are partly born as much as made.

The one who never liked to leave the house is a case in point.

On the richer lady architect one I wanted to know more about her parents divorce and financial settlement etc although that is obviously private. To send 6 children to boarding school even 20 years ago was and is very expensive.

I really want to know what happened to Taime. What a sweet little boy.

Didn't realise there was a thread on this! I found the first weeks quite depressing - my dcs are around 21 and I certainly hope by the time they're 28 they've got it a bit more together. The first weeks lot still all seemed a bit 'lost' and uncertain.

Second weeks lot seemed to have grown up a bit more though - esp the girl who went to China. Came back to her mums with no job but my how she'd grown as a person!

This bunch seemed a bit more sorted. The woman from Hackney moved to Kettering was a very interesting character. Talented musician, lovely voice, bright, articulate but never leaves her house. I thought that was strange but she seemed happy and content in her life.

Yes, absolutely fascinating. I know she said she had this reclusive lifestyle before Covid, but you do wonder how much of an impact the lockdowns have had on younger people. To have so much isolation as part of your formative years... it concerns me.

Which one was Taime @Newpuppymummy ? The 7 year old growing up in the terrace house with the twin siblings? I'd like to have heard from him and Stacey, the other brass playing girl who wanted to work with people with learning disabilities as a teen.

Not Stacey, I mean Stacey's friend.

Yes, this second episode had people who did seem to be where you might expect most of them to be for age 28 - more independent of parents and in jobs compared with age 21. I suppose it is my aim for my children of that age and the 3 who are now beyond it - that I can steer them into complete independence from me not too long after they finish education.

Good point above about lockdowns. I joked in 2020 that I had spent my time waiting for this ( as even as a teenager in the 1970s I used to cross the road to avoid speaking to a neighbour and never in my life even today have I had a day with as little contact with others than I would prefer). For others not made that way lockdowns have had a big effects in all kinds of ways including diminishing self confidence, ability of young children to mix with others etc etc

Glad there’s a thread on this. I’ve seen the two episodes (are there any more) and what wonderful likeable people they are.

I felt very angry about the dad of the rugby playing man with cerebral palsy. A terrific young man and his fathers treatment of him really hurt him. More so than his physical condition.

The singer has a wonderful voice I hope this helps build her platform.

The Eton chap might have been happier with a more normal upbringing. He seemed to have a weight of expectation on him.

Loved the Liverpool teacher - a smart young woman. And the one who went to China. And the one who’s died her hair blue and found her soul mate. They all seemed very 28 to me - took me back!

@Newgirls I think it's just a two-parter. There are the episodes from the earlier years currently available.

@Xenia I was thinking about the effect of lockdowns on people already predisposed to "isolation". It's healthy to get outdoors and to have some social contact.

MacM, yes you are probably right. I certainly go out into the garden every day but still aim not to meet people if I can.

Yes the current series - the one I am watching for age 28 - only has 2 episodes out so far. Eton chap's biggest problem might have been being sent to board before Eton (I think he was) rather than that he went to Eton at 13. However he has certainly been in education for a long time as had that totally different Liverpool lady who did law at university and is still at 28 like Eton boy in full time education (doing in her case her PGCE and Eton boy is doing a PhD).

I wanted liverpool teacher lady to have pushed against all odds and be charging ahead in s high paid legal career by age 28 with a spouse and children too in Liverpool, Manchester or even London. (not that I am not saying we don't need teachers of course)

I think Liverpool woman had more drive. I felt her work more important than his really. If we are comparing. Perhaps that’s unfair on him as he seems a lovely chap but his phd seemed fairly pointless. Her work was already helping people.

I was impressed how few of the women felt the need for a partner. About half? That’s changed since my day!

Yes, good point @Newgirls very different from mine too.

However he has certainly been in education for a long time as had that totally different Liverpool lady who did law at university and is still at 28

Liverpool woman wasn't still in education at 28, she went to work in education after graduating (for what sounded like vocational reasons) and then went back to do a PGCE to be able to teach.

She plainly is driven and hard working. She may not be using that drive in pursuit of money but if she became a great teacher and maybe head teacher then the value of her contribution to society is significant.

Coming to this a bit late, but I've just watched 14-28 over a few days. I really liked Stacey, Ryan and Sanchez, and really ached for Tallin who seems to be trying to find somewhere to belong. I would love to know about the people who chose not to participate and hope they come back at some point.