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.

[raptor_rebooted]

SEVERAL donations have been made to community group Graceadas Cottage after the controversial SBS documentary Struggle Street aired last night.

The cottage’s program development worker Ivanka Pelikan, who featured on last night’s instalment, has been inundated with calls and donation offers since the show aired.

Graceadas Cottage in Bidwill, a suburb of Mt Druitt, is a community centre giving people access to vital local services.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/west/surprising-twist-to-struggle-street-premiere-as-dona...

[bella_again]

That is awesome!!  She really seemed like someone who cared about these people and seemed to do a great job.  Hopefully she is able to to gain enough funding for more programs and extra staff.  Wonderful to see the best of humanity at work!!

[***super_nova***]

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@bella_again wrote:

I think we are seeing the worst of these situations and I wonder whether the program is designed to create class wars and more anger toward those in desperate situations. Why are they airing this stuff without presenting some possible solutions?  Have they organised counselling for these families knowing the impact a series like this could cause individuals and families???  Honestly I don't think some of these people realised the gravity of their involvement with  this series.  Personally I think its irresponsible reporting.

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The role of documentary makers is to document = present a situation as it is, not to offer solutions; that is the role of government.  If they created scenarios or cut in a way that distorted facts that would be unethical.  But if for instance the people said that they go collecting stuff and when they get some money for their finds, they usually fill their car with petrol and buy some treats like lollies, if the crew then paid the bill as gesture, then it is hardly a hanging offence.  Does anybody doubt that these people eat lots of junk, waste their money on tattoos, cigarettes and grog?  I do not know about the tattoos, but lot of people in these circumstances have nothing else but the ciggies and grog in their life, and as far as I am concerned I would not want to dictate them what to do with the bit of money they do have.

As far as getting paid; that would be called cash book journalism, and is not ethical.  Of-course, unless it is all fiction, and then the people are actors playing parts, and it is all another story.

It will be interesting what will the court say, but unless these people were seriously misinterpreted I doubt they will get very far.  I wonder what did they expected to get out of appearing in this series?  How did they imagine they will come across? 

[donnashuggy]

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@rabbitearbandicoot wrote:

I just watched the start again ... I'll watch the rest later - but it sounds like that girl on the park bench says "1200 bucks a week to live in Mt Druit" - I tried to listen several times - can someone let me know what she actually says please.

Who is she anyway? Does she live in Mt Druit? Is she part of the show - ie more details?

Tatoos. I notice a few of them in the prelude. Now there's a worthwhile investment. How much welfare has gone to paying for tatoos when their children don't have enough food.

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I didn't see anyone starving or suffering malnutrition, many of them looked over fed with their priorities wrong.

[***super_nova***]

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@donnashuggy wrote:

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I didn't see anyone starving or suffering malnutrition, many of them looked over fed with their priorities wrong.

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Lot of the people who are grossly overweight because of bad diet do suffer from "malnutrition" = they do not get all the nutrients they need, and they look unhealthy.  That would be easily fixed, good fresh food is cheaper than eating junk.  But people who grew up eating junk know nothing else; it is said that people's taste develops in the early childhood.  They are hooked on softdrinks and other empty calories stuff. 

[bella_again]

I don't believe I suggested they be paid, I think someone else suggested that? but the fall out from this story does require that they may need some extra support.  I don't believe they thought about the possible consequences and fall out from this serious.

I honestly think some of these families need some case management help to assist them. Giving them more money is hardly going to improve their situation of they don't know how to handle the income.  Gosh there are so many complex issues here that really our discussion and the series only scratches the surface.

[***super_nova***]

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@bella_again wrote:

I don't believe I suggested they be paid, I think someone else suggested that? but the fall out from this story does require that they may need some extra support.  I don't believe they thought about the possible consequences and fall out from this serious.

I honestly think some of these families need some case management help to assist them. Giving them more money is hardly going to improve their situation of they don't know how to handle the income.  Gosh there are so many complex issues here that really our discussion and the series only scratches the surface.

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Only the 1st half of my post was in reply to you 🙂

I have not seen the program, so I cannot comment on how hurtful/damaging it would be to these people.  The fact that they are already talking about suing SBS makes me think that they are going to milk it for all it is worth.  They can se big $, and fame, and the lawyers will love the high publicity case. 

But it is not just these families but the thousands around Australia that are doing it tough, and are not equipped to get on in the world.  I recall few years ago a man in such a position who won big price in tattslotto; within 2 years he had nothing except some ridiculous huge ride on mower for his ordinary backyard, and 2 rental properties, which were worth 1/2 what he paid for them, and which he could not rent out because they were somewhere in whoop whoop. So he had no money, no income and there was some problem getting back his dole because of the 2 houses, which he could not sell, because nobody wanted them.  

But where do you start helping these people? To improve health?   Maybe providing healthy meals at school to kids in underprivileged areas - some schools already do that?  Teaching the kids that just because the ad says it is healthy it does not mean it is?  Banning advertising of junk food?  Getting the parents attend nutrition and cooking classes?  Explaining that going to the market and getting heaps of fresh food will feed them for fraction of the cost of takeways? 

Of-course, best would be if there were enough of decent jobs for all those capable of working, but there are not and so some will always struggle.

[rabbitearbandicoot]

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@lind9650 wrote:

http://www.rent.com.au/properties/mount+druitt-nsw-2770

Mount Druits Rentals. Hope the link works.

Erica

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Yes the link works. Average $350 for a unit in a PRIVATE and SECURE area.

@super_nova wrote:

"Of - course people living in places like Mt Druitt would have cars; I do not think you can do without one, and 3rd party property is definitely not unnecessary. Do you live in NSW?

Yes, a lot have cars and boats and caravans and motor bikes but I thought we were discussing the people in the show.

I didn't say Insurance was unnecessary - I said THEY would think it unnecessary - ie VERY LOW on their priority list. Do you think everyone has full insurance on their cars?

"They may not live in HC house, and they may pay $400 per week for a house."
- you didn't see the 'house' they live in?

"Somehow I doubt that these people would be telling lies about how much they pay in rent etc."
- I don't recall them mentioning how much they pay rent - otherwise we wouldn't be having this 'guessing game'.

Re: $40 a week - that was a joke. But I'd say it's closer than $400. 

"I think we are seeing the worst of these situations".

No, not by a long way. At least these people made noises like they were trying to do something about their situation - a LOT DO NOT.

[bella_again]

Hey supa do you think we need to change our definition of employment? Some countries look at what people do paid or unpaid as work and look after them accordingly. I think some of these people need purpose and the empowerment will come as they start to take control of their lives. They just need the tools to do it.

[rabbitearbandicoot]

"As for 660 a week for petrol rent, shopping, electricity, phone, medical expenses, debts and other bills actually isn't a hell of a lot."
- tell me about it.

"I don't care how much they pay. Nothing would make me want to swap with them for all the money in Sydney."
- Que? If you had all the money in Sydney you would probably move out of Bidwill.

"Yes, they would get more, but they would also need lot more to feed and clothe all the kids. Do you really think that what ever pensioners get "extra" for the kids covers what they cost? "
- I did bring up 3 kids of my own you know.

Facilities: Bidwill had a lovely shopping centre - lots of shops of all sorts. The shopping centre is now abandoned because the tenants lost so much in stealing and vandalism they could not handle it any more and they closed up.

Donations:
Now we are getting close to the reasons these people got involved. They thought they might get something-for-nothing out of it.