Girlhood

I would like to say here that I have no idea what the other reviewer was talking about when she mentioned a supposed "sickeningly happily ever after ending" for Shanae. I saw no such thing. Her story is a tragedy and her mother's story is a tragedy. I was stunned and deeply saddened by what happened. The fact of the matter is, Shanae DOES seem to have turned her life around. Hopefully it will last. She pulled it together enough, despite all her problems, to be a medical assistant. As for Megan, I really felt for her. She did not have the supportive family that Shanae did. Despite Megan's intelligence, talent, and beauty, it seems the world will be a very hard place for her. I was SO GRATEFUL for my family after watching this movie. I would like to add one thing -- the staff at the facilities where these girls lived are SAINTS. I could never do a job like that -- it would be so hard, so depressing -- and yet it is such an important job! Thank god there are people like the staff I saw in this film -- people who care enough to work with these kids and to do their jobs with honor and compassion.

Haven't we seen this documentary before? Quick - name a Lifetime movie with the same story line. I was set up at the beginning for some sort of documentary on the alarming change in girl crime. But.. I didn't get it. The case studies did not seem to exemplify something alarming or horrifying. Perhaps it was the fact that with both girls the viewer was consistently given hope. Shanae made it. The other girl.. who knows where she is today. The movie I would like to have seen would have shown perhaps a wider variety and a lock-up facility where everyone is not a happy family and there is not violence. I have a hard time believing this is the norm.. but then again, the film maker does not say it's the norm...she just begins the movie with the premise that there is something alarming in the girl hood. We just never get to see it.

I think this movie proves this country gives children nothing but lip service. Everything is "for the children"; however, this is powerful evidence to the contrary.

Megan is doing really well now and is in college, despite the damning predictions of the previous reviewers. I never doubted for a moment she could do it. She has a powerful ability to forgive, and by her example I have been encouraged to do the same. She is lovely, loving, and worthy of love, and I am proud of her. She is a loving mother, talented cook, avid reader, and a great friend despite what has happened to her. I wish movies like this followed up on subjects later in life.

I thought the movie was captivating, it drew me into the two girls' lives and everything they went through. You could hear the emotions and felt the anger, the sadness. But it also made me wonder, why was Megan not looked after in essence like Shanae was? It seemed like there was more of an effort to know where Shanae was and more help was provided for her then for Megan. As for the staff of the Waxter, they were awesome. When Ms. Hill choked on her tears for Shanae leaving - it was heartfelt. That's when you really knew how much time and love were put in for the girls in this particular place. It was so true and it left me with a nice feeling knowing there are people out there that do love what they do.

I felt a need to just say a word or two about this movie. It isn't everyday a female teacher gets a chance to see a story about girls who are being lost and left by the wayside.

Whatever happens with the class clown who just seems to have one or two social problems? Do they go on to reform themselves and be a girl makes good story? Or do they just sink down into a pit of their own making? This documentary is one about two ladies in Baltimore, Maryland. The story might play out differently if people live in different parts of the United States. It even might be common enough where a street smart person might say, "Yes and?" For everyone else, it can be devastating.

These ladies are smart, pretty, idealistic and ambitious. How did they wind up incarcerated at such a young age? Will they make it? The filmmaker just tells you about their circumstances. She doesn't have to go into depth for those of us familiar with the statistics. If you like documentaries and want to find out more, make use of the resources mentioned in the DVD extras and take another step.

It is worth your time and your understanding.