“Our most basic instinct is not for survival but for family."

-Paul Pearsall

As the holidays inch closer and closer, and throughout the U.K. various lockdowns and restrictions come in and out of play, a major question that is being asked at all levels around the nation is whether or not families should spend Christmas together. While at a national level ministers debate this, and news anchors continue to ask their guests this, and at a local level parents and adults have this discussion, we find it incredibly important to ask young people their opinion on this matter. It’s easy to assume that this Christmas season will be unlike any in recent memory, and the ways in which we celebrate this year won’t be like what we’ve done in years past. It is important to include young people in these discussions, because of the direct effect it will have on them. So our amazing member schools across the nation asked their students this Symphony Question to foster meaningful discussion within their classrooms and school community.

After, what we are sure were great discussions with various types of reasoning for their answers, this is what young people had to say about what to do with Christmas…

Question: Should families spend this Christmas together?

National result:

Result: Christmas is a time for families, but only if we’re careful.

The results were a resounding confirmation that young people believe that families should spend this Christmas season together.

Of the young people who participated, 68% decided that families should spend Christmas together if, and only if, they’re taking precautions. Another 25% said families should get together for Christmas, without caveat. Only 7% of students said that this Christmas should not feature families spending the holiday together at all.

What can we learn from these results?

Young people are aware that this will be a different Christmas than what they’re used to

Young people seem to be hyper-aware that this year their holiday celebrations will have to be different than what they usually do. They still stress the importance of spending Christmas with family, which seems especially important after nearly a year of people having to keep apart, but realise that in order to make that happen they will have to take precautions to do so. We guess the next question to ask is what will those precautions be, and how can families abide by them and still have a joyful holiday? We’re sure young people have some great thoughts on those.

While celebrations this year will be different, the time with family is still important.

Should schools remain open during a lockdown?

Next week we’re shifting focus from the holidays to the lockdown. While across the nation various lockdowns are in place, schools are still open. We want to hear from young people what they think about this, given that they, and the school staff, are the ones directly affected by this policy.

We look forward to seeing what the results will be next week with this question, as we are sure there are lots of thoughts that young people would like to share about this situation.

Following the successful trial of this form in our General Election Question Series, for 2020 we’ll be recommending a blend of action-led & topical questions to ask each week.

Want to get involved or suggest a question? Send us an email at membership@smartschoolcouncils.org.uk