Family & Child

PSYCH_441_Age 7 in America Description – Page 1 of 3

Age 7 in America (1991) Directed by Phil Joanou, Meryl Streep Narrator

This 1991 documentary is the American version of the British documentary series, "7 Up," "14 Up”, "21 Up”, “28 Up”, 35 Up", “42Up”, “49 Up” 56 Up”, and “63 Up which were directed primarily over time by Michael Apted. The American documentary of Age 7 directed by Phi Joanou focuses on the lives of 16 diverse children from different cultural, social, ethnic, and economic backgrounds. The documentary chronicles the perspectives of these 7-year old children as they respond to questions about their life, their schools, and their families as well as their beliefs and dreams. While not every culture is represented, the scope of the video offers a sense of the diversity of children’s experiences in the U.S. While filmed many years ago, the themes are timeless and are relevant to families today. The goal for viewing this video is to emphasize the value of children’s voices and perspectives on their lives and families.

Class: Think about each child’s family and community context, and their access to resources and learning opportunities from all perspectives of diversity such as cultural and economic. Consider their unique life circumstances. What do their “voices” reveal about their thinking, their learning, their developing values, and their family lives? Focus on one child or group at one site as you watch. Please refer to the questions handout.

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Upper East Side, New York City -- Lucy, Alexis, and Kate

Lucy

Alexis

Kate

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Lower East Side, New York City -- Luis

Luis

Chicago Suburbs--Eric and Brandon

Eric

Brandon

PSYCH_441_Age 7 in America Description – Page 2 of 3

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Southside of Chicago--Mike, Vicky, and Douglas

Mike

Vicky

Douglas

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Urban Chicago: Robert Taylor Homes--Keneesha and LeRoy

Keneesha

LeRoy

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Los Angeles, CA--Julio, Michael, and Salena

Julio

Michael

Salena

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Lincoln, Nebraska--Ashtyn

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The South: Rural Georgia--Joey and Edie

Joey

PSYCH_441_Age 7 in America Description – Page 3 of 3

Edie

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