Originally Posted by wavy_davy

Interesting post this one, I as going to start a thread more specifically based around teenagers. Our little girl is 3 and we came here under the notion she may well have a more active and outdoor life etc..........which she does.

However, since I've been working with so many young (17-23) yr olds over the last 8 months, they all talk about "dying" to get away from Perth, how it's such a dead place to be and there's nothing here for them and they're ready to travel etc. My staff are a healthy mix of academics and apprentices and they all seem to have the same opinion, they're interestingly incredibly ignorant of anything else that happens in the world and where everything else is!! The most shocking fact is that so many of them know a friend who topped themselves, a friend in the WA police force once confirmed to me that WA has an unusually high suicide rate due to depression etc.

Now.........I certainly don't mind my daughter travelling the world when she's old enough to do so but what I don't want, is for her to grow up with no understanding and view of life outside Australia at all. Also for her not to be "desperate" to leave the family home as she's bored stupid.

Ok, the question is.........................does anyone have first hand experience of bringing a child from childhood to young adulthood in Perth and how was it? And also does anyone else feel the same or do I worry too much?!

Also, there is a the underlying fact that my views of Oz are becoming increasingly polarised so that may well have a lot to do with it!

Thanks

Dave

Originally Posted by Vash the Stampede

Some examples would help. In what way are they "incredibly ignorant of anything that happens in the world and where everything is"? What does that mean, exactly? Are they just plain stupid, or do they pay no attention to the media? I mean, you really would have to be pretty damn thick not to know that if you switch on the TV at a certain time of night, you will see half an hour of news (both local and international).

You list two groups: academics and apprentices. Well, at the risk of painting a stereoytype (but perhaps you already have and I'm just filling in the colours) I have to say "there's your answer".

Academics are notorious for knowing very little about the outside world (even within their own country) because they live in a rareified atmosphere (such as a university or college) and rarely venture beyond the ivory tower.

For their part, apprentices aren't exactly renowned for their intimate knowledge of other cultures, nor are they in a position to travel (as uni students are) and broaden their minds. Once they're qualified, it's all different; but until then, they're more or less land-locked.

BTW, 17-23 year olds are almost always "desperate to get out of here", regardless of where they live. It's characteristic of the age group; burgeoning independence + private income = wanderlust and a touch of "grass is always greener".



I'd be interested to see the statistics. The majority of suicides amongst West Australians tend to be in rural distrincts, amongst white rural populations and Aboriginal communities. As is so often the case, males outnumber females.

If we assume that depression is the most common cause, we must then ask "What causes the depression?"

I hardly think it is bordedom - do you?



That's surely up to yourself and her, isn't it? I mean, Perth doesn't have some sort of magical effect that prevents people from knowing anything about the outside world.

If people want to learn more, they'll get off their backsides and learn more. If they don't, they won't.

Either way, it's down to the individual.



If she's bored stupid, how will leaving the family home change anything? (Unless she's merely bored with the family home). See my comments about 17-23 year olds. They do grow out of it.



I don't, but I was born and raised in Perth - and loved it.



I think you worry too much.



You don't say.

Originally Posted by denver

Vash, I think we're on the same freaky wavelength!!!!

Originally Posted by wavy_davy

"I don't, but I was born and raised in Perth - and loved it."- that would've done nicely...............but thankyou for your critique Vash

Originally Posted by denver

Vash, I think we're on the same freaky wavelength!!!!

Originally Posted by denver

Also, I am finding West Aussie kids are generally a more happy and spirited lot compared to the kids I teach in the S-W of the UK. There is a lot more bullying and aggro, gangs etc here. Many students have a hard edge about them. The girls wear a lot of make up and act dumb - few have any real ambition. The kids in Aus seem quite innocent in comparison.

Originally Posted by Vash the Stampede

My pleasure. After all, you did want someone who could speak from personal experience.

Right?

Originally Posted by denver

Hi Dave,

I grew up in Perth and I was one of those spoilt Perth girls who deep down know they have got it good but are very aware that there is this big wide world out there just waiting to be explored... and as soon as I was 21 I set off and travelled through Europe and the US. I was happy to return home but
because I didnt know what I wanted to do career wise and I had been planning this trip for 5 years I felt at a loose end and depression set in. So, off I went to Canada for 12 months, returned home, and now I am in London doing the UK thing. Will I get bored of Perth in the future and want to travel somewhere else? Absolutely, but I thank my lucky stars every day I am here that I will going home it Perth. I love the place, and I feel at the age of 30 I can truly appreciate it. I realise it is not for everybody, but most of my friends who have travelled, including those born in the Uk, have all come home to Perth and are settled and happy. One friend wants to live in New York, as it is a lifelong dream. Another is in Qld, but plans to return.

Basically, growing up in Perth, a lot of people feel the isolation and it is now part of the culture to travel (and for long periods of time too.) A few will venture off but most will stay, and those they do stay away realise how lucky they were to grow up in such a environment!

As for Aussie kids not having an interest in international affairs, I am a teacher and teach that sort of thing and unfortunately most people do not develop an interest in that stuff until they are adults. I teach in the UK and the kids are just as ingorant or even more so because the schools where I teach the kids are quite badly behaved!

Also, I am finding West Aussie kids are generally a more happy and spirited lot compared to the kids I teach in the S-W of the UK. There is a lot more bullying and aggro, gangs etc here. Many students have a hard edge about them. The girls wear a lot of make up and act dumb - few have any real ambition. The kids in Aus seem quite innocent in comparison.

Originally Posted by The O'Neills

Margaret put up a thread about cold feet recently and I was surprised at the number of people out there who all felt the same way, and it got me thinking . . . . . . .does the move down under really afford you a better way of life.

We are not emigrating because we don't like the UK, more because we want to give ourselves and our children a better way of life - all round. My children currently attend good schools and we live in a beautiful part of Scotland in a nice house with lots of friends and family around us.

But Bing has to work away a lot, I am effectively a single parent of two young, and very energetic children and as most of our leisure time centres around outdoor activities, for 6 months of the year we are all 'bored'.

So does Australia offer a better way of life? If not, whats the point of going?

Nic

Originally Posted by The O'Neills

Margaret put up a thread about cold feet recently and I was surprised at the number of people out there who all felt the same way, and it got me thinking . . . . . . .does the move down under really afford you a better way of life.

We are not emigrating because we don't like the UK, more because we want to give ourselves and our children a better way of life - all round. My children currently attend good schools and we live in a beautiful part of Scotland in a nice house with lots of friends and family around us.

But Bing has to work away a lot, I am effectively a single parent of two young, and very energetic children and as most of our leisure time centres around outdoor activities, for 6 months of the year we are all 'bored'.

So does Australia offer a better way of life? If not, whats the point of going?

Nic

Originally Posted by esperanza

.

If you are happy people, taking your favourite people with you, you love the outdoors, and you can live with limited TV & shopping then no need to worry!

Originally Posted by The O'Neills

So does Australia offer a better way of life? If not, whats the point of going?

Nic

Originally Posted by The O'Neills

Margaret put up a thread about cold feet recently and I was surprised at the number of people out there who all felt the same way, and it got me thinking . . . . . . .does the move down under really afford you a better way of life.

We are not emigrating because we don't like the UK, more because we want to give ourselves and our children a better way of life - all round. My children currently attend good schools and we live in a beautiful part of Scotland in a nice house with lots of friends and family around us.

But Bing has to work away a lot, I am effectively a single parent of two young, and very energetic children and as most of our leisure time centres around outdoor activities, for 6 months of the year we are all 'bored'.

So does Australia offer a better way of life? If not, whats the point of going?

Nic