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Original poster

How the other half live

86 replies

MollieO · 30/07/2009 21:06

Anyone watching?

OP posts:
IwishIwasmoreorganised · 30/07/2009 21:45

I feel very humbled by what I'm seeing.

All credit to the girls lovely mother - she does so well in such difficult circumstances

diedandgonetodevon · 30/07/2009 21:47

To me it appears a mutually beneficial relationship. The family providing the money are teaching their children that what they have is not a right and obviously the poorer family are benefitting hugely from the financial help.

Original poster
MollieO · 30/07/2009 21:49

I think both families are brave in taking part. Sharon is clearly a very proud woman so I imagine she must have found it hard to have her whole life laid bare for all to see. I also think Christine and Ken are brave in realising the amount of privilege they have and being keen to ensure their children understand that. Some of the most arrogant people I know are 'self made' but clearly Ken remembers his roots and wants his children to understand.

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diedandgonetodevon · 30/07/2009 21:51

I'm truly shocked at how such small sums of money can appear to make such a big difference to their lives.

sassy · 30/07/2009 21:51

Ye-es, I guess you are right. One thing the black mum said which I thought was v important was about showing the girls what they could aim for - getting away from the poverty of expectation as well as plain simple not having any ££.

And you are right, it is not patronising, and could so easily be.

Original poster
MollieO · 30/07/2009 21:52

I also think that she has drummed into her children that education is the key.

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Lizzylou · 30/07/2009 21:53

I agree with you MollieO, when Christine and Sharon were talking about how Sharon wanted her children to understand that her dc could work to earn a house like theirs, Christine said that her DC might not be able to earn enough to have as much as they have now.

I think you're right, they can learn lots from each other and Christine and Ken seem to be very open minded and gracious tbh.

They are all lovely and very non-judgmental about the other's situation tbh.

Lizzylou · 30/07/2009 21:54

That was Christine's DC, btw, she well understood how lucky her DC were to live where they do.

Original poster
MollieO · 30/07/2009 21:54

It's refreshing to see a reality tv show that doesn't have a hidden agenda.

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MaureenMLove · 30/07/2009 21:56

OK, now I'm crying!

Lizzylou · 30/07/2009 21:56

Me too!

diedandgonetodevon · 30/07/2009 21:57

I think the childcare for a year will be the thing that makes the biggest difference.

Original poster
MollieO · 30/07/2009 21:57

Me too, although I've been crying on and off since the beginning. What I think is good is how the help is so specific and so graciously accepted.

OP posts:
IwishIwasmoreorganised · 30/07/2009 21:57

I'm sobbing here!

Heathcliffscathy · 30/07/2009 22:01

i'm crying. i'm disturbed. it's a very complex and interesting programme.

Hassled · 30/07/2009 22:02

Tears here as well - they were all such lovely people, none of it felt patronising, and it was a great programme.

Heathcliffscathy · 30/07/2009 22:05

i thought that i'd read that they were holidaying together. too close that...

i don't know. it was great. but it was troubling.

Original poster
MollieO · 30/07/2009 22:08

No, the Brotherstons are paying for a holiday for the Gumpos.

This programme has made me put my money where my mouth is. It was arranged by Save the Children but the C4 website has a number of organisations listed for those who are interested.

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saggyhairyarse · 30/07/2009 22:16

Had me in tears, what lovely children but, oh, how sad at times.

diedandgonetodevon · 30/07/2009 22:18

Thanks MollieO!

drosophila · 30/07/2009 22:57

I found this a troubling programme. It made me very uncomfortable. I had to stop watching it. I grew up poor and I now live in an area with lots of poverty. DCs go to school with people a lot worse off than what I have see so far on this programme. Lots more overcrowding around here.

I'm not sure what it is trying to achieve. Is it to highlight the gap between rich and poor but at what cost. Can't help feeling it is more C4 reality TV.

MarshaBrady · 30/07/2009 23:02

An upsetting programme. The girls were so lovely. The gap between rich and poor is so great I find it troubling, even distressing, felt a bit angry. Hard to put into words.

hf128219 · 30/07/2009 23:03

I have just watched it. I do agree there was a certain amount of philantrophy. But to whose happiness?

emsiewill · 30/07/2009 23:09

This programme made me uneasy. Not sure why, as so many have said, the children were really lovely, and the "poor" family so deserving.

But it felt a bit "lady of the manor". Having said that, the end result was two happy families, so who am I to judge?

startingagain · 30/07/2009 23:46

The amount of money the family gave was fantastic. I know how the mum feels, she can now get up in the morning and not feel like their is a weight hanging over her. I also know the feeling of not being able to afford essentials like beds, etc., I also feel it was a learning curve for both families.