NCJ Number
67073
Date Published
1977
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS FILM RECORDS SIX PARTIAL INTERVIEWS WITH CLIENTS OF ALLIANCE, A COUNSELING AND ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR TROUBLED MOTHERS.
Abstract
ALL THE PARTICIPANTS INTERVIEWED HAD BENEFITED FROM ALLIANCE SERVICES AND HAD FOUND WAYS TO COPE WITH THEMSELVES AND THEIR SITUATIONS. IN OFFERING RETROSPECTIVE COMMENTS ON FORMER BEHAVIOR, THE FIRST INTERVIEWS TESTIFIED TO THE DILEMMA OF THE BATTERING MOTHER, SUFFERING ISOLATION, SELF REPROACH, PITY FOR HER BABY, AND FEAR OF DISCOVERY. THE SECOND, MOTHER OF SEVERAL PRESCHOOL CHILDREN, DESCRIBED HER HOUSEHOLD DISORGANIZATION, HER LACK OF SELF-CONTROL, AND THE RESENTMENT SHE FELT TOWARD HER CHILDREN. IMPROVEMENTS RESULTED THROUGH THE ORGANIZING INFLUENCE OF AN ALLIANCE MOTHER'S AIDE, WHO TAUGHT THE FAMILY NEW BUDGETING, HOUSEKEEPING, AND COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS. ANOTHER YOUNG MOTHER SPOKE OF HER OWN TRAUMATIC CHILDHOOD AS AN UNWANTED ORPHAN AND VICTIM OF SEX ABUSE AND NEGLECT, DETERMINED TO PROVIDE A SHELTERED LIFE FOR OWN CHILD. A MIDDLE-AGED WOMAN TOLD OF HER STRUGGLE TO SURVIVE AND GIVE BIRTH IN THE DESTITUTE CIRCUMSTANCES FOLLOWING RELEASE FROM PRISON. A VIOLENT, ABUSING FATHER WAS DESCRIBED BY ANOTHER WHO EXPRESSED THE DESIRE TO BASE HER OWN PARENTING ON A BETTER MODEL. THE FINAL PARTICIPANT WHO HAD OVERCOME A SUICIDE ATTEMPT, A BROKEN MARRIAGE, AND PHYSICAL REJECTION OF HER CHILD, AFFIRMED A RENEWED ABILITY TO RESPECT HERSELF AND LOVE OTHERS.