MovieChat Forums > 42 Up (1998) Discussion > Gender Distinctions.

Gender Distinctions.

posted 13 years ago by Swill_Merchant
3 replies | jump to latest

Last night, I watched the 1999 installment of Michael Apted's "7-Up" series, "42-Up". Have I missed something, or has there NOT ever been a discussion of the sex-role distinctions that are glaringly apparent? I realize that an unspoken hope of the project was to document the end of the British class system. However, I continue to be amazed at how many careers the young men have succeeded at, and how complacent and circumscribed the young women's lives seem to be, almost as if they are still waiting for something to happen, at age 42.

[–] PoppyTransfusion 13 years ago

I don't think your final statement is a summation of any of them.

Susie is pondering what lie beyond being a full-time mother once her children leave, but is not inclined towards a career or work yet. Though she was employed as a counsellor and I could certainly see her continuing with that.

Jackie never had any direction re-her work/career and is also a full-time mother with a serious and debilitating ilness.

Sue balances work with children. Aside from at 21 she was never depicted as career-orientated. What emerged in 35 and 42 Up is that she enjoys performing and had things been otherwise (and she born at a different time) she might have moved into the entertainment world.

Lynn has always worked and comments on how important her career within the library/education services has been.

I admit none of the 4 women reached the heights of the men, but I don't think that is simply due to gender. Someone with Susie's background may have gone further if they had been different to Susie for example.

A taut thread ties her to me from which hangs the question 'can I trust you?'

[–] timlin-4 11 years ago

cab driver, warehouse worker, homeless crazy guy: yeah those dudes really benefited from keeping bitches down

[–] JurijFedorov 9 years ago

Because 75% to 95% of the women in this documentary said that they wanted to be moms - not career women. They do admit that they had opportunities to make a career but made other choices in life. This is really not possible for any man. I think most wives would laugh at their man if he said he wants to stay at home.