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And in wife swap watching last night....
One of the strangest things about this show is the dicotomy that they present as normal. Both families are usually so extreme and diametrically opposed that it's amazing that anything good ever comes out of it. Tonight's episode was particularly touching. When the familys do learn and come together it's a beautiful thing.
I was so surprised and amused at the loving of the "fancy dress party" that the soldier's family had. Seeing that manly man all dressed up in a silly womanish outfit had me giggling. He was living it up, having fun and learning at the same time.
At the final conference between the two families I was finally rewarding with rational people talking instead of a shouting match. Both sides were kind and brutally, heart-wrenchingly honest about their feelings about their old way of life and their new way. They freaking hugged when they left! Was beautiful. And they remained changed after the show. If there was ever an episode not to be missed, this was the one
seekingautumn.____
I think I understand a part of America now. The schools here have repeatedly been attacked for years for being too lax compared to other industrialized countries. On the flip side, it's been widely recognized that the American work ethic (with our long hours and work weeks with little to now vacations) is much stronger and stricter than other countries. It seems to reinforce the idea that capitalism is king here. Education is thrown to the side for work experience. We make our school hours short so that teenagers can get jobs and develop that ethic. And then we work our brains out for the rest of our lives, while all the important stuff floats by. Quite a shame.
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Is it right to be this age and start the whole identity search again? To ask "who am I?", "what do I want?", and "where do I want to be" all over again? To be puzzled and excited, hopeful about the whole process? ......Just asking....
