One of the most depressing things I could imagine would be to not have a choice about my future. In this lecture I learned that the hierarchy of classes was determined upon ancestry. Whatever your family's historical occupation or trade had been would automatically manifest your future. A concept that reminds me of the class system in present day India. Students within my classroom could do an extension project that requires them to write about their own goals for the future and how it could be inhibited by their family's economic and social history.
I would have to agree with you sbuttle. Even though freedom can be a relative concept, having to be in a society that chooses everything for you is quite depressing. I like your lesson about having your students write down their goals. It would be a great reflection to help them see the great opportunities they have if they apply themselves.