I've seen and heard a lot of comments about the Census 2011 over the last month or so. Some of it positive, a fair amount of it is negative, some of it ridiculous; it is called the Census, not the Concensus you plonker!
I can understand people's scepticism about it, but personally I find it really exciting. As soon as The Boy is asleep (this may take some time, he's currently singing to his daddy upstairs, interspersed with occasionals squeals of glee and shouting), then hubby and I are going to sit down and fill it in in a ceremonial fashion.
The census is such an important way of collecting data; initially because of the impact to local services that it has. It is a crucial piece of data collection to ensure the correct and relevant provision and funding of public services. Health-care, child-care, public transport, schools, etc. How do you think they are able to predict the need for school places in the area if not for the census?
The aim is to get an idea of who is living in the UK on a specific day, and how they live their lives. Yes, some people may find it intrusive, but I find it fascinating and it just goes to highlight the impressive social, cultural and religious diversity that exists in Britain today.
Aside from the impact on today's services, just think about in the future. I've been researching my family tree over the past five years or so, and although I take a break every so often because it can become complex and confusing, whenever I return my first port of call is always the census records! Through the online collation and access of the records from 1911 and before, I have been able to find over 300 members of both my paternal and maternal family tree. I can trace the shift in social standing, find out what jobs they had, ascertain what happened to my great, great, great grandfather's children and where they lived. None of this would happen without the collation of information through the census.
Personally for me, this census is extremely exciting. Last census, I was about to embark on the biggest journey of my life! Ten years ago I was 23 and in my final year of my teaching degree, living at home with my mum and dad, borrowing my mum's car, jobless and in a long-distance relationship with an English bloke. This census I am married to that English bloke, a mother, a teacher, living in my own (ok, mortgaged) home, driving my own car. My world had changed and I can't wait to share that information on the census!
I feel the same way and I've been really proud this year to fill out my first census of my own!! Also agree with the family history stuff – I got such a lot of new info when the 1911 census was released.
I remember my Mum doing the last one and I was so excited as my now husband was living with us and he was included on it 🙂
I've now had to fill it in saying how my Dad is widowed 🙁 but having a family who are interested in our family tree I find it all really interesting and yes exciting!!! 🙂
i find it amazing, okay i don't have to personally fill it out by myself yet.. my mum does it, but sitting there read it through and then seeing what everyone else thinks of it such a mixed view! I like the fact its suppose to help the future, whether this happens i wouldn't have a clue lol x
I've never done one before! That's why I can't be arsed. But when you out it like that, okkkkkk *drags feet* I'll do the consensus! Lol
£1000 fine if you don't Lexy!
Ah, great to see someone else is excited about this. Totally agree with your reasons too – it's easy to say "sod the government" but this has an actual impact in terms of local gov funding. Gah!
And I LOVED including Superbaby on it – how exciting to think there'll be at least one other Superkid on here by the next census!
ps. Can I nick "it's not consensus" and pass it off as my own? Just when I talk to my Dad?!x
You can indeed! And these were people in a school, I felt like shaking them.
At least one other? Have I missed something?
I enjoyed filling mine in after eventually opening the form on Friday! I never thought of the tracing ancestors aspect but it's a very good point.
I got the vast majority of my information from there!
Finally got round to commenting properly!
I really enjoyed filling mine in, if anything I was disappointed it was so short! And as I said on Twitter, gutted that I am only 6 months away from being able to put that I was married 🙁 However as my OH was staying for the weekend I was able to put him in as a visitor!
🙂
I never thought about where I was the last time it was done, I don't remember doing it at all, which must mean I was very naughty or my mummy did it for me!! Amazing to think about how much has happened this last ten yrs, last time I was 20, living at home, at uni, working part time and had just met the hubby. Now I'm married, have little man and little miss, a crazy mutt, a mortgage and my own business…..I think that means I'm officially a grown up! Or supposed to be anyway 🙂
Can't even think about the next one, Little Man will be at High School…noooooo!!
I'm sure the one 10 years ago had more relevant questions, has this one been dumbed down, question 17 wasn't that taxing! 😉