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Back in 1969, the year of the first Moon landing, thousands of 11-year-olds were asked to write about how they imagined their lives would be when they reached the age of 25: what job they hoped to be doing, their family life, what they would own and their lifestyles.

The 14,000 essays were commissioned as part of a research project by the Centre for Longitudinal Studies, aimed at giving a unique glimpse into the minds of the children of the Sixties.

The youngsters’ jottings are a fascinating insight into the innocence and optimism of that era.

When I grow up… How different did these youngsters’ lives turn out

Most of the boys and girls imagined they would be happily married – indeed, not a single one mentions the possibility of divorce, while the concept of co-habitation is almost inconceivable.

According to Professor Jane Elliott, who has studied the essays, they also reveal signs of awareness of the social changes that were to come and different future roles for women.

‘The girls did not only write about doing housework, they also had clear career aspirations, albeit perhaps to be a teacher or a hairdresser,’ she says.

The children have heart-warming dreams of how their lives would be blessed by good fortune. One girl wrote: ‘My husband would have just won £200 so we decided to go to the Moon for our holiday.’

Above all, analysis of their predictions – to be broadcast in a Radio 4 series starting today – shows that those who expressed the most ambition at 11 went on to enjoy greater career success than those with low aspirations.

As presenter of the series, here I reflect on a cross- section of the essays – complete with childish spelling mistakes – and how the lives of their authors, who are now aged 51, actually turned out.

KIM

She imagined at the age of 11 that her future life would revolve around travel.

‘I am in Africa, but maby I will be going back to England for some time before I have any children,’ she wrote.

‘I am married and am nature researching, using photography to Illustrate my discoveries.

‘I plan to see the whole world before I die and maby to see the Moon beneith my faet.’

Her life has followed that pattern – she left school at 18 and travelled throughout Europe, including Greece and Italy.

Dreams: Kim saw herself travelling the world as she grew older

She married an Australian and they lived in Australia for seven years before returning to Britain. They now live in the Midlands with their three children. Kim still dreams of travel.

‘All I can think of is getting into a camper van and taking off,’ she says. ‘I’d quite like to throw all my cards up in the air – I’ve had long enough of working nine to five.’

She’s happy with the choices she’s made, but worries she’s imposed too many restrictions on her children.

‘We spend so much time thinking of the dangers – my own life was totally different: it was just getting on with it, whatever the risks.’

ANNE

At 11, she had a clear vision of her adult life.

‘On Monday, it will be off to work in a hairdresser.. Continue Reading