Do your parents ever talk about their school days?
What do you think are the differences between your parents’ childhoods and yours?
Retrospective & prospective
Can you tell me what have been some big or memorable things or important times in your life? [Participant-led plotting and discussion of their timeline)
Can you tell me something about yourself that other people might not know?
How do you think your friends would describe you to a stranger?
Where do you see yourself at the end of school?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? in 10 years?
Are you much interested in thinking about the future? What about your own future?
How do you think your own future will compare with your parents’ lives?
Do you notice or expect any difference in the kind of futures young men and women will have
What sort of family life do you imagine having in the future?
Political and social issues
Discussion of current political issues – with opening examples and prompts drawn from prominent debates at the time. In the first round of interviews, there was a focus on race politics and racism, gender politics, sexuality and sexism, and religion.
Racism and Australian society:
Prompts drawn from examples in the press and social media – eg Adam Goodes, an Aboriginal footballer, being boo-ed while playing; reactions to asylum seekers seeking to come to Australia.
What did you think of the reactions to this incident? What advice would you have given to (depending on example) Adam Goodes regarding his decision to stop playing?
Can you tell me whether you think racism is an issue in Australia; at this school? In your town/community: Why/why not?
Gender and sexuality:
Prominent issues at the time included media discussion of violence against women and children; transgender and LGBTQI issues, with stories from prominent people; ‘marriage equality’, which was not supported by the federal liberal government.
What advice would you give to the government about marriage equality?
What are your own views on marriage equality?
How do you think LGBTQI identities and issues are regarded at school (among your friends)?
Do you think much about marriage or your own relationships in the future?
Religion in school and society:
Is religion offered at your school? Do you think it should be taught at school?
If yes, what do you think should and should not be included in the curriculum? If no, why?
Do you think religion is an important part of Australian society? Is it or has it been important in your life?
Ethical outlook
Can you tell me about the social and political issues that are most important to you at the moment?