Programme 3 - Sophia
The programme aims to help young people think about:
- the effects of a hedonistic lifestyle
- the role of school
- the role of money
Learners will:
- enhance their understanding of other people's experiences and points of view;
- understand better the consequences of being anti-authority;
- be motivated to challenge negative peer pressure.
Sophia is 16 years old and lives with her brother and parents in an affluent part of Berkshire. Her ambition is to be an 'It Girl 'and her idol is Tara Palmer-Tomkinson. She's anti-authority and anti-rules. Her friends say she's not scared of anyone and it seems like she actually wants to get into trouble with the police. Sophia doesn't think that her behaviour is antisocial, though. She likes to get noticed for her clothes and behaviour. She goes to the 'best' parties in order to meet new people and make connections.
She has already been removed from her private school and has to study for her GCSEs privately. She wants to go to Stowe school to do her A levels. Stowe is a top public school in Buckinghamshire. She feels isolated since being removed from her previous school and she misses her old school friends. However, some parents were worried about the bad influence she was having on their daughters.
Her father has written out a 'good behaviour' contract for her to follow during the summer holidays. However, Sophia doesn't even read it as she says her father never sticks to the rules anyway. Her parents think that if they are too strict it will be counterproductive.
We see Sophia enjoying the Henley Regatta. She can't get into the clubs she wants because she can't find her fake ID. She tries to persuade her friends to stay out all night with her and she'll pay for a hotel, but they are following their parents' rules and have to go back home. On another occasion her mother gives her £20 to go out for the evening but she complains that it's not enough. She stays out all night and the next day has a confrontation with her father. He says she's too young for this behaviour but he soon gives her £100 pocket money for her trip to Cornwall. Her mother tries to be conciliatory, encouraging her to eat with the family in the evenings. Sophia concludes by saying that teenage years have got to be good. She doesn't want to lead a 'boring' life.
