Utah The World's Strictest Parents

Around the world, many parents raise their children on a diet of strict discipline...

Do not come back until you have checked your answers.

Rigid boundaries...

Drinking, drugs and sex, they're selfish behaviours that destroy lives.

And immediate consequences...

Come on!

RINGS BELL

Some people might say that my parents are strict but we'd rather call it love!

But can traditional parenting change the lives of rebellious British teenagers?

I need some more booze! Where is my booze?

As soon as someone says, "You will do this," the first thing I say is, "No, I won't!"

I get away with murder, really, like, I can just do anything I want!

Big lack of respect for authority!

I go to bed whenever I want. I wake up whenever I want!

I don't care what anyone else thinks about me because it's up to me, isn't it?

To find out, two teens who have never met before will leave their fraught families behind.

Don't embarrass your family!

And head off to the far corners of the world where they will live

according to strict rules imposed by new parents.

In my house, you're going to do as I tell you to do.

Please, let me make it very clear...

My children won't defy me!

This is wrecking my head, this is wrecking my head!

When I punish, I punish really hard!

I'm sick of being treated like a little kid!

-Shut up and listen to me!

-Get upstairs!

-No!

You're a child, you're mine.

In the US, you have to do what an adult says.

They are actually insane.

The British people's moral fabric is disintegrating.

I'm just mixing me vodka and me Fanta orange!

Teenage mum Hannah Thorpe always looks after number one!

I just love getting drunk because you can make a show of yourself and not really care about it!

Give me the bottle!

I do what I want when I want and I don't care what anyone else thinks about me.

It's a nightmare! She goes out, she gets drunk,

she smokes and I'm terrified that she'll get that drunk one night,

she won't know what she's doing. It's a cruel world out there!

# Boom, boom, boom

# Gotta get that boom, boom, boom. #

Hannah is bringing up nine-month-old Tanicia on her own after separating from the father.

Being a single parent has not changed her self-indulgent behaviour.

My attitude to life is live today like there's no tomorrow!

I'm 17, I'm still a child, I still want to go out and have fun!

I don't think it's selfish I leave the baby for two nights a week.

That's what people do on Fridays!

I don't want you getting off your face like that, Hannah!

You were falling down the stairs, couldn't stand up straight!

She's just wild, she's a wild child, basically.

She just lives the way she wants to live.

Hannah lives entirely on benefits but won't take advice from anyone.

My mum tries to tell me what to do, but I just don't listen to her!

She wants her own way all the time.

If you don't give her her own way, she flies off in a paddy!

I'm at me wits end with her.

Now she's pissed me off!

She can't live like that! She's got a baby.

I just hope this experience will learn her something.

17-year-old James Gowing is obsessed with his image.

That's my hair done. Does my hair look all right?

My image is very important because it makes me who I am,

it makes me distinctive, it makes me stand out and makes me just...me!

-Have fun.

-I will, bye.

James can't stand being at home.

-He spends his life hanging out with friends.

-Is that how much that was?

What percentage is it?

-£2.40!

-7.5, you know!

-It's 7.5.

-Naah!

I come here so often to escape from my mum because me and my mum have a difficult relationship,

like, we don't really get along with each other.

I think James is wasting his time at the moment

just concentrating on friends and going out drinking

and smokes weed and that.

I've been smoking since I was about 12-years-old. It's quite a big part of my life, really.

I smoke weed every single day.

James's parents divorced when he was seven.

He hardly ever sees his father.

It's been all right not having my dad around but I would like him in my life...

it's just difficult cos he lives so far away.

The only time James gets in contact with his dad is if he wants money off him or something, but otherwise...

not really, no.

Tired of their constant rows, James's mum is on the verge of kicking him out for good.

He can come back in a bad mood

and just kick off at the slightest little thing I say.

Over the past, maybe year or so, things have been...

-Really hard.

-So I'm hoping after this trip we can make a fresh start.

James needs to realise that he has got potential but I need him to make these changes. Sorry.

To try and get their family lives back on track,

both parents have agreed to send their wayward teens

to the other side of the world,

to live with new parents under strict rules.

-See ya!

-See ya!

I'm gonna miss him loads, but I'm proud of him for doing this.

Just a bit sad.

I just hope she learns something while she's out there.

Are you OK? Give us a hug.

-Are you scared?

-Yeah, I'm petrified!

I am, only a little bit.

The teens' 4,500 mile journey will end here...

the town of Touella in the state of Utah, deep in the American Midwest.

# Were you there when they crucified my lord? #

Here they will be staying with the Pecks,

a clean-living Mormon family who dedicate their lives to God.

We follow his teachings, his principles out of the Bible

and that's how we run our home.

Dad, Spencer is a plumber

whilst mum, Nicholeen, home-schools their four children,

12-year-old Quinton, 11-year-old Paije,

seven-year-old Lundin and Porter, who is five.

Discipline is really important in our home.

In order for a person to be a success in life, they have to learn how to master themselves.

For children's lives it is very good to have morals and standards

and rules in the home.

# Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light

We consider ourselves very patriotic in our family.

We instil that in our children to love your country, to love your God,

to be a person who is going to be able to change your country for good.

Mr and Mrs Peck strictly control their children's access to youth culture.

We're not allowed to watch or listen to anything

that the prophet himself would not listen to.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

Drinking, drugs and sex, they're selfish behaviours that destroy lives.

The Pecks have just one goal for their children.

They've got to make a difference in this world, a difference for good,

that's why we parent the way that we parent

because we are warriors for good.

After 20 hours of travelling, James and Hannah touch down in the state capital, Salt Lake City.

I've been smoking since I was like nine-years-old so I'm obviously addicted.

Without fags, I get really stressed out.

Utah is one of America's most conservative states.

You must be 18 to smoke and 21 to drink alcohol.

-Ugh!

-You think yours is! Mine's stronger.

A vodka and a coke!

I reckon that they're stuck up, definitely!

-Definitely!

-If you live in a neighbourhood like this, it's like Wisteria Lane!

-And strict.

Are you ready for this?

If I'm not by now, it's too late!

Oh, there they are, oh, my God!

-Hello!

-Hello! Welcome to Utah.

-I'll give you a hug.

-Hi, I'm Nicholeen. I can give you a hug, definitely, definitely!

-Hi.

-I'm Spencer.

-Hi.

-Nice to have you here.

-I'm James.

-James, nice to meet you, I'm Nicholeen, good to meet you.

-I'm Spencer.

-Did you travel good?

-Yeah.

-Are you James?

-Yes, I'm James.

All right, I notice there's already a few things that we don't usually do in our house.

We don't smoke. Can I just take them from you?

I don't mean to disrespect you but I really need a cigarette.

The thing is that then you have a smell on you after.

-I've got deodorant in my bag.

-I can't have no ciggies for ten days.

Well, I'll just hold onto these ones right now and your lighter and stuff.

No, I'm not gonna give you my lighter, though! You can't have it!

OK, well for now hold onto the lighter but I'll take the cig, OK?

-Can I just have one blow?

-Really, no, no.

Are you gonna give these back to us, then?

Do you know, we're gonna go over all the stuff inside, OK?

-Thank you, and I'm guessing you've got just soda or something?

-Yeah.

OK, we generally actually don't drink coke, but if you want to finish that off today.

OK, do I have to drink it right now?

-Go for it!

-OK!

-Can I

actually smell what you're drinking to make sure it's not like alcohol or something?

Oh, woah, I can smell it from here!

You know, well, actually smells like it's alcohol,

Sorry that I made you do that because, actually, you're gonna have a harder day now because of that.

-I'm gonna dump this in the gutter, OK.

-Go for it.

And we'll feed the street, OK?

That's just a waste! We should have drank it in the car!

-Are you ready to go in?

-Yeah.

-I need a cigarette, man.

-I need a ciggie as well!

For the next ten days, Hannah and James will be living as children

of the Peck family, from doing daily chores to being home-schooled.

-Hi, are you all right?

-Hi!

Hey, everybody, this is James and Hannah.

-Hi!

-If you wanna say hello.

-Hi, nice to meet you. What's your name?

-I'm Quinton.

-Nice to meet you, Quin.

-Nice to meet you, Quin.

-What's your name?

-Paije.

-Nice to meet you, Paije.

-Hi, Paije.

-Hi!

-What's your name?

-Lundin.

-Oh, hi, Lundin.

-Like the city but it's spelt a little different.

-Porter.

-Porter? Hi to meet you, I mean, nice to meet you!

The Pecks live in a modest four bedroom house.

They surround themselves with photos as a reminder of the importance of family.

That is a picture of Spencer's brothers and sisters and their kids.

I haven't even got a picture of my baby to show you, I forgot it!

-Your babies? You have a baby?

-Yeah.

Oh, really! So you left him with your mom? Is it a girl or boy?

She's with my mum, a girl, her name's Tanicia, she's gorgeous.

-And how old is she?

-She's nine months old.

-Nine months!

-Yeah! Oh, what a fun age! She's amazing!

I think it's a little bit shocking that she has a baby.

I think it's sad. I hope she's a good mother.

This is actually the bedroom, Hannah, where you will be staying.

Hannah will be sharing a room with 11-year-old Paije.

Oh, my god!

Oh, my god, it looks more like a grandma's clothes!

James will be staying in 13-year-old Quinton's room.

The people I've just met seem really nice.

I don't think they seem that strict

and I don't think they'll be that harsh.

Mormons believe that parents have absolute authority over their children.

Before they fully welcome the teens into their home,

Spencer and Nicholeen want to establish the rules of the house.

So I've made you each a little packet and they have a lot of the rules

of our home in them and we're going to go over them with you, OK?

Things that we will and will not do, number one is language.

In our home, we do not swear, we do not gossip about other people...

Or be rude to other people.

We do not consume alcoholic beverages or addictive substances,

energy drinks, hard liquor, coffee, tea, caffeinated drinks etc.

Coffee? You can't drink coffee?

-We have no coffee here.

-It's addictive.

So the other things,

and these are rules that we cannot and will not bend on, OK?

-Smoking.

-Oh, but...that's a no-no.

That's just one thing that I cannot go without.

I'm sorry if I'm bending your rules but there's also my rules.

OK, now remember that these are all no answers.

No, no, it's not a no, because I need my nicotine.

I would say with your "no, no, I cannot, no, no" I would not call that necessary!

-That is not calm.

-That is calm!

So we're going to have to work on calm a little bit, and that's fine.

So calm is what he showed, so.

Let's go into what we're going to wear.

Oh!

It says we will not wear clothing that shows our shoulders, stomachs,

backs or thighs, clothes that are too tight or closely fitted are inappropriate.

All underwear must be completely covered by outside clothing.

Clothing considered to be sloppy, dirty or contain any emblems or pictures

which do not invite the spirit of the lord are inappropriate.

-We haven't come to change how we look, we've come to change our attitude.

-Yeah, exactly.

I don't see why changing our clothes, our dress-sense has anything to do with our attitude.

That is an amazing thing to bring up.

The way that you present yourself to the world shows the world

what statement you're making, so if you're making a statement...

It doesn't matter if I wear a dress to there, to my ankles, I'm still gonna talk the way I'm gonna talk.

-Exactly.

-It's still gonna come out and I'm still gonna be me.

-It doesn't change.

-Just because I'm wearing a stupid ugly dress doesn't mean I'm gonna change!

I'm not changing any of my clothes. I'm not going for that rule.

-Stop talking.

-I'm wearing my clothes.

We're gonna go through that and these are no answers so we're gonna talk about these things.

I'm wearing my clothes and now I need to go for a cigarette cos now I'm stressing!

As far as the rules that we have, they may seem extreme

but there are rules that we've implemented for our family

and anybody who lives in our home would be expected to follow these rules.

Being given firm boundaries has left James and Hannah in defiant moods.

I don't care what she wants me to do... it's not gonna happen!

She's not letting us do what we wanna do by smoking,

so I'm not going to try and obey her rules

and not wear fake tan or short skirts.

It's my body and I'll show it if I want to.

I need to wash my hands.

One of my main priorities in life is my appearance, because that's the way I've been brought up...

I haven't been brought up to dress and cover myself up.

I've been brought up if you've got it, flaunt it.

# Boy, I know you want it! #

The teens have arrived on Memorial Day,

a public holiday all over America

and tonight the Pecks are hosting a celebration barbecue.

-We want you to meet our family.

-I want to meet your family.

We can't take you up there if you're out of control, OK?

We like to have fun and we want you to do that with us, that's the fun thing.

I'm not gonna have fun if I'm not comfortable with what I'm wearing and I know I'm not.

Well, we want you, by the end of this, to be able to have fun regardless of what you're wearing.

-I won't be able to.

-Well, that's your choice.

-We're gonna get you some really nice things.

-I don't...no!

I mean, we wanna buy some really nice things, you know?

I'm OK with spending a little bit of money on clothes

if it's gonna be something that you can feel comfortable wearing and it also fits within our family standard.

I don't understand why you can't show your shoul... I wanted to get a tan as well! God gave you shoulders!

Surely Sunday, though, if it's a nice day you could go and sunbathe in the garden or something.

With your shoulders covered? With everything covered over! - With our shorts on.

Oh, god, this is wrecking my head, this is wrecking my head,

I can't cope with this no more!

I don't understand why you can't show the shoulders.

God gave us shoulders for a reason and obviously if God let people

make clothes like this then obviously if wasn't really bothered

if you showed your shoulders off!

Here we are starting a really strange place with her at age 17

having a long history, apparently, of "If I have a fit, I get what I want,

"ultimately, I'll get what I want."

She may give a little bit to try to please but then she still wants what she wants.

Well, this is going to be tricky with her, this is going to be hard.

Modest dress is a key principle of the Mormon faith.

For Nicholeen, compromise is not an option.

Is that all right?

They are a little tight.

-They are a little tight.

-I'm not wearing that, no way, Jose!

-Hey, it will be cute!

-No! Are you having a laugh?

I am not wearing that. I'm not wearing that underneath.

-Go...

-No no no, no no no no no!

-That looks good.

If Hannah won't meet the Pecks' standard, she cannot join tonight's get together.

-I don't want my family and my kids looking at you.

-There's nothing wrong with it! You can't see nothing!

Under that, actually you can.

Wear that!

Nicholeen believes that standing firm and enforcing boundaries are the key to good parenting.

Yeah, but it's low-cut, they won't let me wear it.

Yes, but that's gonna be covering it.

She'll never make a threat that she isn't prepared to carry out.

But you're still having an attitude problem.

Yes, because look at the state of me! I look like a hippie!

She can't go.

James leaves with Spencer to get to the family gathering on time.

Nicholeen is left to face the wrath of Hannah.

Actually, yes, I did come here to change but you can't just expect me to change like that.

Right now, just about everything that I say

you are arguing with.

You make me feel like you're ashamed to take me as myself,

to see your family, like it's some special thing,

that's why I'm pissed off with you.

Which is why it's probably not wise for us to go, then.

Sound! Let's go then. I'm going out in a bit.

BLEEP suck my fat BLEEP you BLEEP BLEEP.

She has very strong opinions

and she pretty much only cares about her image

and I hope, if she ever decides to let down her wall just a little bit,

that we can show her something bigger to care about, something better.

I mean family, relationships,

those things are all way more important than somebody's image

and I hope she gets that.

She's made me cover all my body up.

She's just irritating me to pieces.

Just because she's a BLEEP fat bible basher,

it doesn't mean I want to be one!

Memorial Day is a nationwide family holiday.

James, come and meet everybody.

This is Nicholeen's father. His name is Nick.

-Your name is?

-James.

James, happy to meet you, welcome.

-You as well, thank you.

-And this is her mother right there.

-Are you all right?

-Nice to meet you.

-And you as well.

At home, James spends hardly any time with his close relations.

Me and my family never do anything like this.

We used to do like with my dad and his ex-wife but like now,

we don't do much any more, we all do our own thing.

It's the end of James' first day living with the Pecks and their strict rules.

You've been a bit strict with what she's wearing

because people just wear what they wear

and what they feel comfortable in, I think.

Well, I don't know if you have any different ideas of how we might be able to get her past that?

I hope we can, we're kind of sad she's missing all this.

The family, I think they're quite nice really.

The woman does my head in a little bit but the rest of them, the dad's all right.

At the end of the day I've got to stay with them until next week...

I might as well make the most of it while I'm here

and save any arguments and just get along with them.

Today the teens will be home-schooled by Nicholeen.

Hannah.

Wake up.

James.

It's, like, 7.25 right now.

But first the entire family are expected to pull their weight with household chores.

All these lists are

the chore lists.

Chores are very important in our house because, number one, it keeps the house clean and number two,

it teaches us how we need to do things when we grow older.

I don't think kids should do gardening.

It's a boring job and kids shouldn't do boring things.

I don't think it's fair for young kids of that age to have to do chores.

They should be out having fun with a friend.

It's annoying, it's pointless,

it's not like it's not gonna get mucky again

by the end of the frigging day.

I'll show you where it goes in case you need it again, which you might.

Nicholeen believes that home-educating her children

helps her protect them from the temptations of the playground.

The reason that I home-school

is because I want them to do good in the world

and to know what good means.

I don't want them confused by somebody else's priorities in life.

Hannah and James are required to join the daily study sessions.

James has other ideas.

Today I've decided to get a suntan, a real one.

-Where are you going?

-In the garden.

Boys. Hey, James, come here, please.

No, man.

Today is Quinton's 13th birthday and since it's his 13th birthday

I thought that we would do something that revolved a little bit around the age 13, OK?

Hannah was expelled from school aged 13, when she was just two years older than Paije.

When I was 13, I was just drinking like every night of the week

and just going with loads of boys and because I was drunk I was kissing them and that.

Are you going to save yourself until marriage?

-Mm.

-You're not gonna kiss no-one?

How are you supposed to find if he's for you then if you don't kiss them and find...

-You don't need to kiss them. You don't need to.

-You need to explore them.

-No you don't.

You find out what their morals are and how they live their lifestyle.

The Pecks have taught their children to stand up for what they believe in.

James has been struggling with his education for some time.

I didn't really do that good at school because I didn't concentrate enough in year 11.

Year 11 is the year I lacked in and started smoking more weed.

It made my grades go fail because I used to go my exams buzzing.

He passed enough GCSEs to get into college, but there's little chance of graduating.

I don't know how often he attends college, to be honest, but it's not regular.

Things are not looking good and he's looking to be kicked out if he doesn't pull his socks up.

Nicholeen believes a good education is essential for every teen to fulfil their potential.

I don't want to learn about maths, English and science.

I understand. You act like you know what my plan is, which I think you don't.

Home schooling is about learning whatever you want. Did you know that?

So here we go. I'll just do it with you both together, or are you planning on going too, Hannah?

-The thing is, we're not little kids.

-No...

-We're 17 years old, and you're treating us like we're ten.

-You're acting like it.

-How am I acting like a three year old?

-I'm 17 years old, I can look after myself.

-OK, talk calmly.

No! I'm sick of being treated like a kid when I'm not a kid.

-Do I look like I'm BLEEP ten years old?! No! Idiot!

-OK.

-Are they running away, Mum?

-It needs to be discussed with them.

-Mum, are they running away?

-There's no trust. Do not chase them.

-No, I wouldn't, I wouldn't want to.

-They want an audience. OK.

-Yeah.

If they don't get an audience, hopefully this behaviour will stop happening.

In England, James and Hannah constantly run away from their problems,

but in suburban Utah, they have nowhere to go.

-I want to go to a pub but we ain't got no dollars.

-We've got no ID.

-We've got no ID.

It's stupid, though, because you can't drink in their home

and they won't let you drink because you're only 17 and we're not 21.

In the Peck family, any arguments are discussed openly and used as an opportunity to learn.

How do you feel about Hannah and James running away?

-Bad...

-I think they're acting like babies.

They're being very immature.

OK. How do you think they should handle the situation?

They should disagree properly with you two

and they should take it more calmly.

Can we come back in, please?

-You're asking to come in?

-Uh-huh.

I think so. Come on in.

I think they've about gone nuts.

They're trying to push all my mom's buttons and they haven't realised yet

that's it's not gonna work.

I tried this for years, I tried pushing my mom's buttons and it never worked.

Could you go inside, please?

Nicholeen has had enough of James and Hannah's behaviour.

My kids right now...I think are really disappointed in you guys.

What, in how we dress?

No, because of the way that you're treating them and their parents and their family.

They've seen you be very disrespectful and yell at us.

We've said we're not changing how we look, and we're sticking with it.

You can stay out of instructional control for the entire week

but it would be such a bore for everybody to watch.

I'm already bored now. There's nothing to bloody do!

That's because everything we were going to do, we can't, because you're out of instructional control.

At this point, we can't go back to clothes, OK.

-Yeah, yeah.

-We can't.

We're just stuck in a big fat BLEEP rut over our appearance, that's what it is.

-Exactly! And I want you to look attractive...

-I want to look attractive. I'm in America.

But still keeping the family standard.

Take us shopping, let's see what you can get us.

So I'm right in assuming, then, Hannah, that you would be willing to change your wardrobe for the week

-as long as you liked the look of the clothes?

-Yeah.

Awesome. Then I think we're at the place we need to be.

That really shows that you've chosen to respect me and that is a great place to be

because then we can start doing things that are not about clothes, and that would be great.

The Pecks eat breakfast together every morning.

It's an opportunity to discuss any problems or concerns as a family.

Look at this big stack of pancakes that Hannah has made!

Spencer believes that only married couples should have children.

He wants to know more about how Hannah is raising her daughter.

-Were you planning on having a baby this young?

-No.

When I was 14, I was actually trying for a baby and then...

-At 14?!

-Yeah.

-How come?

-I just wanted one. I just wanted a kid.

-And you have a job?

-No.

-How do you support your little girl?

-I'm on benefits.

So the Government helps to pay for diapers and food and things like that for the baby?

I get £128 a week, and that's for me and my baby, and, like, it is hard to keep on that.

And how far will that go? What will that buy?

It'll get...

..me and the baby some new clothes,

the baby's milk, the baby's nappies, the rest of it goes like on me,

like on a Friday, I'll go and spend it on alcohol or cannabis, or something like that.

If you didn't spend it on those things, would you have more money to spend on your little girl?

-Mmm.

-To buy her more...

-She has everything she needs, though.

What if you were to save the other money that you are spending on drugs and stuff,

how could that help you?

It could help me, but I can't save money.

I'd probably go and save a few hundred pound

and then think, "I don't care, I'm going to go and spend it now."

I can't save money for a long time.

It shocked me that, if this is what the teenagers who are having babies are spending their money on,

certainly they're not ready to be mothers,

and I think we've seen in Hannah a lot of behaviours

that would portray that she's not ready to be a mother. She's a mom, but she's not a mother.

The Pecks believe passionately that a strong work ethic is central to good character.

Dad Spencer, wants Hannah and James to discover the satisfaction that working can bring.

He's volunteered them for a day of hard graft at a friend's ranch,

where they will have to get their hands dirty alongside owner Carol and local teens, Aaron and Kash.

Aaron, you work with James. You guys will throw a bale. Hannah, you'll work with me. We'll throw them up.

They need to be loaded on then stack it.

Kash works at the ranch in exchange for using their stables.

He mows 70 lawns a week to earn spending money.

I'm 15 and I've been working with my brothers and with my dad since I was 10...

doing this and that, and I'm not saying that every kid needs to start when they're really young

but I think every kid needs to learn, every teenager, especially a teenager,

needs to learn that you have to work to have fun.

Oh, my God!

Even before she got pregnant, Hannah was happy to live on state benefits.

Oh, my God, look!

Last time I went to work I was 15, so that was 2½ years ago nearly.

If it gets too much for me, then I'm going to let them know that I'm not prepared to do no more.

Oh, my God, look at that one!

With 150 acres and 120 horses to take care of, the ranch doesn't run itself.

That was only ten bales. Normally, you get a truck-load of 150, 250 bales,

you've got to put them all on and take them all off.

INDISTINCT

It takes a while. So what have you done before?

I've done experience in a salon, like doing hair and nails, and that, but then I ran away.

Well, this is totally different to doing nails and hair, yeah!

It definitely is!

They're volunteering, helping that woman, and they're not even her kids!

During a rare break, James is keen to show off about his usual recreational activities.

On an average weekend, I'd go out and get drunk and do drugs, that kind of stuff,

go to parties or go out in town, and just generally have a good time.

Why do that? You can have all the fun without getting drunk.

-Do you go out or drink or smoke or do drugs or anything?

-Never.

So what do you do? Like go parties?

-Yes, some.

-Go to parties, hang out with friends, watch movies.

-We watch movies.

-Do you never drink, never?

-No.

-No.

-Oh, my God!

I think it's good that they don't. They can have fun without having to drink or anything.

Cos of their religion. It's sad because they're young and shouldn't have to follow a religion so much

and look into it in so much depth at such a young age.

They should be having fun and living their life while they're young.

Nicholeen has arranged for James to attend a local home-school get-together.

She wants him to experience positive peer pressure.

So everyone's got a team.

Today's activities are all about confidence-building and team work.

Nicholeen's sister Janelle is in charge.

Everyone get a hold of your rope and then I'll give you the first clue.

Ready?

ALL: Yeah!

Here we go...

-Talk to your teams.

-Guys, guys, OK.

-What is...

-This one, this one.

You're BLEEP stressing me out! I can't be bothered with this!

James's feelings of failure at school quickly resurface.

I'm not doing it any more, simple as. I can let them down, I'm not doing it.

-You can laugh at me all you want.

-I'm not laughing at you. I'm just trying to figure out

-what's really making you frustrated.

-I can't be arsed anyway. I'm walking. Can't be bothered.

I can let the team down, I don't care.

James, I just want to talk to you for a minute.

-No! Can you not understand there's no point in talking.

-How about this?

When things get really hard at home, what do you do?

-I get stressed out.

-And when what happens?

What do you do?

-I have a cigarette.

-OK.

Anything else?

-No.

-Do you give up?

Yes.

-Where does it get you?

-I'm a failure, I give up on everything, so.

-You're not a failure.

You don't know me, so how can you say that or not?

The reason why I feel like a failure is because I failed school, I failed at college that I've just been to.

I've always never had faith in anything...and I always give up.

I hate feelings these things because it just makes me feel ... about myself and disappointed in myself.

I want to apologise for how I spoke to you and how I behaved.

I was just really stressed out and I didn't feel very well.

Well, thanks, I appreciate it.

Would you be willing to continue on with the race? Your team said, "We can't go on cos James isn't here.

"Shall we go get him?" And so they care about you,

they want you to succeed, they want you to be a part of their success.

When you overcome these hard challenges, you feel good about yourself,

-cos you know that whatever you put your mind to, you can do it.

-Yeah, I'll come and join in.

-OK, let's go.

Just right back here.

This is your team right here, so work with them, talk to them, see what they're doing.

They definitely need your help.

I want to give you a hug for coming back, cos it's hard, and I know it's hard to do stuff like this

but it is so courageous and brave to come back and face it and do more stuff.

That's awesome. And they need you. Go for it!

-So what are you all doing?

-Somehow we're supposed to try and get everyone on this.

-It's ridiculous.

-People stand on the bottom so they stay in place?

-It'll break!

ALL SPEAK AT ONCE

CRACKING

THEY SCREAM

Janelle believes that success should always be rewarded.

Everyone is given a bracelet to remind them of their achievement.

What does this rope mean to you?

To never give up. To keep on trying, no matter how stressful it is.

-Good, that's awesome. I'm glad you learnt that.

-That was a good one, that!

-That's great!

The Pecks have arranged for Hannah to meet with ranch-hand Kash for a lunchtime date.

They want her to understand a different teenage perspective.

You go and meet the boy in town, usually you take your mate with you on the first time, and get a bevvy

and smoke weed, and then if you're single and that,

then you go back to his house and probably have sex.

HE MUMBLES

In Utah, the age of consent is 18 and, like all Mormons,

the Peck children will be expected to save sex for marriage.

16 is when you should date.

You should be learning about other people, what you like, what you don't like, you know, in a person.

They say passionate kissing is wrong, you shouldn't do that, you shouldn't lie on top of each other

-and you should always date in groups.

-Are you allowed to like touch each other before you're 16?

-You're not.

-I mean, before you get married?

-No, you're not supposed to do that. You can hold hands, sit by each other.

-What, that's it?

-Talk, you know, and then have fun.

-Are you allowed to sleep in the same bed?

-No, definitely not. That's absolutely not allowed.

If you're sleeping in the same bed, you might as well be doing it, too.

In our church and in our culture, a relationship

is more about emotional support

and more about getting to know people and what you like and what you don't like,

and to get to know that, you don't need to be sleeping with people.

-Bye.

-I hope you've had fun.

-OK.

-See you.

-Bye.

The most important thing in a relationship to me is,

he needs to make me laugh, he needs to be nice to me, to cuddle me

and tell me he loves me and that, he needs to be nice-looking and he needs to be good in bed.

Tonight, James will be joining Spencer and Quinton in their regular father-and-son activity...

singing with the Beehive Statesmen Chorus.

Quin was the one who got me involved in barber-shop singing,

so it's another one of those family things that's fun to do, we enjoy doing that.

# We-de-de-de de de de de

# We-um-um-away

# In the jungle, the mighty jungle

# The lion sleeps tonight

# Ah-ah-ooh!

-# In the jungle, the quiet jungle

-Ooh-wah-wah, ooh-wah-wah

# The lion sleeps tonight Hup-hup!

# Ah-weem-away, ah-weem-away

-# Ah-wee-um-um-um-away

-Ah-weem-away

-# Rr-rrrr-rrrr-rrr-r-r-r-r--r

-Ah-weem-away, ah-weem-away

# Ah-weem-away, ah-weem-away Wup! #

I never, ever, ever thought in my life I could have fun with a bunch of old fogies, yeah.

Even though I didn't sing very much, at least I came and joined in. I did enjoy myself, it was quite fun.

-This is James, from England.

-Hi, y'all.

You all must know before James got here, he said, "I will NOT get up in front of people!"

LAUGHTER AND APPLAUSE

Do any of you have any questions you would like to ask James about England

-or about himself, what he does?

-James, what do you do for fun?

Well, I go out and I just get off my head and just do what I want to do, basically.

I've done drugs and that in the past, and I drink, so I've got a bit of an addiction towards it

so it's kind of something that I feel... I like to do it.

Maybe there is something in your life that you could choose, like singing or dancing,

that gives you that same high without going to that addiction. There's your advice for the day.

That's very true, actually. That's good advice, yeah.

A little shocked, but pleased, that he was willing to get up and I said,

"James, the only time we grow is when we do things we don't want to do

"and when we get out of our little comfort zone," so I think he grew a lot tonight.

First I said I wasn't going to do a Q&A session because my confidence wasn't good enough,

but then I decided, "Why not?" At the end of the day, I need to improve my confidence.

Why not get up in front of loads of people and talk about myself

and answer questions what they're asking me. It made me feel better.

That's why I'm buzzing at the minute because it made me feel much better, much more confident.

Nicholeen's younger sister, Janelle, has a baby boy the same age as Hannah's daughter.

You have a little munchkin this big?

-Yeah.

-And he depends on me for everything, Tanicia depends on you for everything

and that includes learning everything they need to know to survive in the adult world.

I cannot believe it that someone that is a mom is willing to just go out, drink, smoke,

take two days off of being a mum so they can get their own fulfilment.

I don't take drugs or drink around her,

so when my mum has her, I think, "This is my free time to go and do what I want."

She doesn't know I'm taking drugs and drinking.

But you should be going home and sleeping where your child sleeps.

-Yeah.

-That is what a mom does. You know what? When Davis wakes up, I'm there.

If he wakes up in the middle of the night, I'm there.

He knows that I love him more than drugs, I love him more than alcohol.

-I love Tanicia more than drugs or alcohol.

-But actions prove otherwise sometimes.

It doesn't, because how can I love alcohol and drugs over something I've actually created in my body?

Well, that's a good question!

Hannah's rebellious lifestyle started when her own family life broke down.

We were like a close family and we all got on,

then my mum and dad split up, then they decided to get divorced so we lost contact with my dad then.

Hannah hasn't seen her dad for over five years.

I got the blame for it. I think that's where a lot of Hannah's anger comes from as well.

She could've tried to make it work and now we've been brought up without a dad and I miss him,

so I do blame my mum.

Despite her behaviour, Hannah's mum has always stood by her...

..but after a week apart, she wants Hannah to know just how much hurt she's caused.

"Hiya, love, really missing you and I love you very much.

"Tanicia is happy and well so don't worry about her.

"Hannah, babe, half the time you have my heart broken with your behaviour.

"Your drinking and smoking really scares me. It's way out of hand.

"I just want you to realise it's because I care about you so much.

"You have to take other people's feelings into consideration.

"I hope you learn to be a better person and respect the people around you.

"I love you very much and wish you all the best. All my love, Mum."

Oh, there's Tanicia!

I can't wait to go home now and see my little girl.

She deserves a better mum than I've been to her!

Cos she's gorgeous.

Nicholeen and Spencer want Hannah to look forward to a new life with her family.

They've asked their children to sing for the British teens.

# In the quiet misty morning

# When the moon has gone to bed

# When the sparrows stop their singing

# And the sky is blue and red

# Bind me not to the pasture

# Chain me not to the plough

# Set me free to find my calling

# And I'll return to you somehow. #

-The words of that are so true.

-I know!

-That was a really great surprise, guys.

-So, so true.

-You've made me realise how nasty I've been to my family.

-How I act towards my mum.

-Yeah.

And I need to tell her that I love her too much! And that I miss her.

And I'm going to be good for her. From now on, I'm not going to be nasty to her no more,

because she doesn't deserve it.

Feeling bad like that for those things

and for understanding your sacrifice,

that is a deep form of love, because that's you being selfless.

-I do love her to pieces.

-It's beautiful, it's so beautiful.

I miss my mum now and the baby so much.

Just sometimes I try and palm the baby off on people when I want to go out

and I've realised now I shouldn't do that because I only get one life with her.

She's going to get to a certain age and not want to spend all the time with me that she wants to now.

I want to be the best mum that I possibly can for her and I don't want her to have a life like me.

I don't want her to drink alcohol and take drugs and smoke weed.

I want her to be a good girl, so I need to grow up now and start being a mum,

because that's what I am, I'm a mum, and I can't change it.

It's James' and Hannah's last full day with the Pecks.

-You want to know what we're doing today?

-Yeah!

-Yes, please.

-OK.

Nicholeen wants the teens to join her at her annual charity gala in Salt Lake City.

This event is so incredibly important to me

-and so I will expect that you will be very respectful...

-We will.

It's a grand affair and strictly black tie.

-Can I get them silky gloves?

-We'll have to see, yeah.

-Ooh!

-We'll have to see.

James, you are going to go with Spencer and he's going to teach you how to drive.

-Really?

-Really!

-Yeah!

In Utah, teenagers are legally allowed to drive from the age of 15.

HE BEEPS HORN

Having lessons with Dad is a rite of passage for American boys.

Are you ready?

Spencer wants to give James a chance to shine.

-BUMPING

-Sorry.

Slowly on the brake, don't hit it too hard.

I'd love my dad, like, to teach me to drive, but I don't think he's interested in that kind of stuff.

-Try to park.

-It's been different living with a dad, because I'm not used to having my own dad around.

Seeing how Spencer is with his kids I wish my dad was like that with us.

Pick a spot and park in that spot and just make sure you're in between the two lines.

He's a good dad and he means well, he's got a good heart and he's a proper good family man.

I know Spencer might not say it.

Having brought nothing suitable with her to wear, Hannah is on the hunt for the perfect ball gown.

-That's very, very...

-That's gorgeous!

-Yeah!

And it has this nice detail in the back, it laces up.

-It's beautiful, it's beautiful!

-It is nice. It's just amazing, look at it!

The Pecks have decided that James is ready to hear from home.

"Dear James, it's probably about 3:30am,

"couldn't sleep for thinking about the enormity of the journey you're going on.

"Obviously, you knew that things needed to change.

"We couldn't carry on the way it was.

"I think it's very brave of you to do this.

"Be strong as I know you are.

"I'm looking forward to a new start when you get home in a couple of weeks. Mum."

She's been there for me my whole life.

She's been a single mum and she just works so goddamn hard and all I've done is walked all over her

and put it back in her face when she's not deserved it.

Hannah is all set for the evening.

-With only an hour to the gala, James has let his emotions get the better of him.

-Leave me alone!

CRYING

James.

Are you OK?

What's wrong?

He was a bit upset and I thought, if I can try and comfort him,

then he can at least get dressed and make it to the party tonight.

At some point really soon you've got to just take a breath, OK,

-because I can't bring somebody in there that's all upset.

-Stop talking to me like you're my mum, OK!

-You're not my mum. I've got one mum. That's it.

-Tonight...

-Don't talk to me like you're my mum.

One thing you can stop doing is talking to me like you're my mum.

Don't! It's upsetting me even more because I've got one mum only.

I might have seen you for ten days, but you're still not my mum.

Everyone gets upset, everyone gets mad, you know.

There's times you want to punch a hole in the wall,

but if you can master your emotions and get over the selfishness,

then you've conquered a lot

and hopefully James will conquer that tonight.

-I'm stressed out and tired.

-I know you are.

-I need a fag and I'm upset at the minute, I don't know why.

Can you hug me?

James, do you know I want you there? Do you know that?

I want you sitting beside me so that I can be proud of you, do you know that?

I do,

but I need YOU to respect ME.

I need you...

to be...

the boy that I'm proud of tonight.

You've got to be on my team or I can't take you.

You've got to promise to me right now that you'll do that,

otherwise I don't want to get you there -

it'll be more disappointment if I say you can't come in because you're still uptight.

-Can you do that for me?

-Yeah.

-You look great.

Thank you, OK.

Hello, Daniel.

Tonight's charity ball is held at Utah's 90-year-old Capitol building

and is attended by the cream of Salt Lake City society.

GENTLE MUSIC PLAYS

For the first time in her life, Hannah has discovered she can combine glamour and modesty.

I'm all covered up tonight and I feel the best that I've ever felt.

Usually I wear little skirts and all that.

I'll feel good then, but you can't even see me toes in this dress

and I feel even better than what I do with a little skirt on.

It's more than a week since the teens have had any alcohol.

Tonight's no exception.

I don't need alcohol for everything, but I just choose to do it.

At first when she said your drink's apple cider,

we went, "Oh, yeah, cider, let's go and get a drink,"

-then we noticed it wasn't cider, we were a bit gutted, then I wasn't bothered after that.

-Me neither.

For James, the evening has given him a chance to reflect on his lack of self-control.

I'd like to apologise for my behaviour earlier.

I don't know why I reacted like that, but like sometimes I have problems handling my anger problems

and sometimes I just go off on one without thinking about my actions before I do them

and, like, sometimes I just get upset for no reason.

Apologising when you've done something wrong is, like, so mature.

-Yeah.

-Because it takes a big person to admit that sometimes.

-Thank you for coming with me tonight.

-Thanks for bringing us.

-Thank you for bringing us...

Yes, I was happy to have people come with me.

That's, like, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I'm glad it was with you.

James and Hannah still have good times and bad times, but they have changed.

I think they have vision, is the thing.

They look at their lives with a different pair of eyes

because they have been in a different environment long enough to be able to see the world differently.

James' and Hannah's time in Utah has come to an end.

I'll remember the family forever. They've helped me so much. This is an experience I'll never forget.

THEY SING "AMAZING GRACE"

I don't want to say goodbye to you!

Thank you for changing me into a better person.

SHE MOUTHS

Thank you, Spencer, thank you for the driving lesson and everything.

Just don't kill anybody, OK?

SINGING CONTINUES AS FAREWELLS CONTINUE

Are you OK? Are you OK?

No.

-See you all.

-Take care, bye.

-We love you. Drive safe.

CRYING

I've actually learnt I am a stronger person than what I thought I was.

I thought I was going to break down and go "I wan to go home,"

but I've stuck it out and I've changed in so many ways. I feel like a stronger person now.

I just feel better in myself, I feel happier.

The Pecks are a good family with each other. They talk to each other and spend time together.

It's great that they're like that and when I go back my relationship with my mum is going to change.

I'm going to let her into my life and talk to her more as well.

-Hello!

-Hello!

How are you?

It's good to see you.

The most important thing that I've learnt all week is...family.

-You've got us.

-That's what I said all along, the only family I need is you lot.

This is going to be a fresh start for us.

Oh, Tanicia!

Oh, my gosh, she's got massive!

Oh, give us a hug!

-I've really missed ya!

-I've missed you too!

Oh, my God, I've missed you so much!

I'm really sorry for being a bad daughter and all I've put you through

-and everything I've done to you that's been wrong.

-Thank you.

I feel so much more happy now that I've got my baby back!

I'm so much more happier! Yeah, I am.

-I'm just so pleased to see ya!

-I'm pleased to see you!

-Give me a hug!

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

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