Struggle Street

[rabbitearbandicoot]

so, who's watching this show tonight at 8:30 on SBS?

if it's not cancelled that is. The people involved have tried to get it wiped because it represents them in an unfavourable light.

[lurker172602]

I was trying to formulate the words to say what I got from the show, then I read this article and realised I don't need to. The author has managed to read my mind.

Struggle Street

Struggle Street has shone a light on those most often ignored. It has highlighted some of their best qualities – while also depicting some confronting behaviour. (Think of pregnant Billie-Jo trying to kick down a door to get some weed.)

When it comes to topics like these, we're not comfortable with shades of grey. Whatever the issue (welfare, asylum seekers, drugs), our debates tend to involve one question: good or bad? Then we pick a side and yell ourselves hoarse.

Struggle Street doesn't attack or mock people in public housing. Nor does it paint everyone as a saint. Rather, it gives its subjects the dignity of portraying them as human.

[rabbitearbandicoot]

The father said a few times that he only gets $110 a week on disability and it's hard to pay all the bills with that. RUBBISH! He is on disability pension which is $660 a fortnight ($880 if they are not married) -  she is on carer's pension = another $660 a fortnight ($880 if they are not married). They are probably paying no rent (or very little).

They have 10 kids to support - none of whom are employed - I assume they are all on benefits too.

[lloydslights]

Teared up on a few occasions watching it.  A few of my thoughts...........

To me, the untidiness and mismanagement of their surroundings is a reflection on their unsorted inner feelings and thoughts.   

The amount of junk and personal adornment!.  A momentary feeling of being rich at the time of purchase?

But if they lived  without those "luxuries",and saved the money and spent "wisely", they would still not be able to afford anything.

I liked the character of the Aboriginal and the red-headed friend of Bailee (Erin?).

And they are luckier than "Highrise Struggle Street" inhabitants IMO

DEB

[lloydslights]

In the 1970s I used to play a competition sport, that had some Mt Druitt women on the team.  We had turns picking up members of the team to travel to events.  

I'll never forget the power boats, and caravans parked outside some of the homes and they were paying neglible rent.  Of course they were obviously eligible for Housing in the early years, but circumstances improved withy hard work and older children getting work and able to pay board.  But the rent was still very low.

I think now the rent is based on the total income of the household.  

The children flit off 3 nights a week, so that they are not classed as permanent residents of the abode - therefore no increase in rent.  They seem to know every loophole available to gain assistance.

DEB

[rabbitearbandicoot]

"But if they lived  without those "luxuries",and saved the money and spent "wisely", they would still not be able to afford anything."

I would debate that. We live on the same amounts + we pay a small mortgage (a lot more than they are paying in rent)  + we run 2 cars + we have huge electric and phone bills, house & contents insurances, rates etc (just like everyone else) + I have to bail out my daughter (with $50-$100) at least fortnightly + we have money to go out for a coffee at least 3 times a week + we can save a little each fortnight.

But, then we can't afford booze, smokes or drugs - or power boats or holidays.

[village_person]

Struggle Street

I didn't watch the show but I don't see why that area of our society should be immune from examination via the camera lens. 

[donnashuggy]

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@rabbitearbandicoot wrote:

The father said a few times that he only gets $110 a week on disability and it's hard to pay all the bills with that. RUBBISH! He is on disability pension which is $660 a fortnight ($880 if they are not married) -  she is on carer's pension = another $660 a fortnight ($880 if they are not married). They are probably paying no rent (or very little).

They have 10 kids to support - none of whom are employed - I assume they are all on benefits too.

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Financially they are probably better off than if they were working.

[electric*mayhem*band]

Strangely enough Channel 4 have just advertised their second series tonight. First episode to be screened on Monday. This time it's the turn of Stockton-on-Tees. If this series continues, it could go on longer than 'Coronation Street'. *wails*

http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/benefits-street-series-2-first-5645588

[***super_nova***]

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@am*3 wrote:

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Laugh at what?

The truck blockade this morning? The drivers objection about how the residents were portrayed?

 People being judged for being poor, and spending their money on junk food (filmed eating junk food that SBS bought them)?

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SBS did not buy them anything; as far as I know, the program was made by an independent company and SBS bought it.   I did not watch it, and would not have watched it even if my TV did not break down. 

It is sad if such a program is made as an entertainment, but I would expect it was made to show rest of us how hard some people struggle.  I do not know what the people who participated expected; I mean the program cannot show anything that they did not do or say. 

But it reminds me when I lived in Sydney some 40 years ago and my neighbor had a friend who lived in Mt. Druitt, and I met here on several occasions; she always went on how people put down her suburb, and how their schools cannot get decent teachers, and her kids are being suspended for no reason at all .... etc.  Then one day she arrived with her 2 kids, 14 - 16 (?) and I had a very hard time not to laugh.  They were skinheads, with razor blades as earrings and nose rings, and knives in their boots!   Honestly, if i met them in a lonely lane I would be terrified.

[donnashuggy]

In the herald this morning they are saying that they did provide money and credit on their phones so they could keep in touch.