When the Bough Breaks: Viewer Comments
When the Bough Breaks involves viewers intimately with the price that children pay when mothers are incarcerated, so that we cannot dismiss the consequences.
Petzall's approach takes up an important and hidden subject as it provides a model for interviewing vulnerable subjects in ways that preserve their dignity.
A powerful platform for discussion on a critical issue in criminal justice, sociology, anthropology, psychology and political science A powerful platform for discussion on a critical issue in criminal justice, sociology, anthropology, psychology and political science courses.
Pat Aufderheide, Center for Social Media,
School of Communication, American University
When the Bough Breaks transports the viewer to the heart of a world most of us never experience. A valuable tool for child welfare workers, court personnel, legislators and students, its honesty and sensitivity allows no easy answers - but the film moves us to action.
Ruth R. Ehresman MSW, LCSW, Policy Director,
Citizens for Missouri's Children
This film is powerful, poignant and unsettling. As it makes unambiguously clear: there are no easy answers - but we have to care. And we have to do something to better meet the needs of children of incarcerated mothers.
Ann Jacobs, Executive Director, Women's Prison Association
When the Bough Breaks was very moving, but it was also a call to action. Beyond feeling terrible for the kids, I kept thinking about how inexcusable it is that we allow poverty in this country. So many of the people that were profiled seem to be victims of inequality in America. Estalishing policies for child care when mothers are incarcerated is necessary, but only a bandage on a much larger room. Likewise for the war on drugs. We need a war of urban development, community action, education, opportunity, health care, etc. Thank you for making this film.
Jesse, California
I watched your documentary and I was touched by the injustice of our system. My heart goes out to the mother's, but mostly the children, for they are the one's who suffer most. I hope and pray that someday all of those children will live with their mother again, and that they can grow up to live productive lives. Great job- your film made me want to turn into an activist!! Thank You!
San Quentin, CA
I had the privilege of viewing the film last evening. Our agency has served the children of incarcerated parents for over 30 years, and we have seen thousands of visiting children in California state prisons. Of the many films and training pieces I have viewed and reviewed over the years, I find that this film most accurately depicts the effects on the children, and their parents. This is a must-see for social workers, foster parents, school teachers, kinship caretakers, policy makers, correctional officials and staff, and the public at large. There are no easy answers to the multiple problems that surround parental incarceration, but this film lays out in the children's ,parent's , and caretaker's own words the social and psychological devistation that occurs when mother is incarcerated. Very thoughtful and extremely well done. I need a copy as soon as possible to incorporate into my training presentations. Thank you for the incredible job that you have done....
Peter Breen, Senior Program Consultant, Centerforce
I see a lot of resourses listed in this web site that focus on changing existing laws (which I believe is the ultimate goal), but are there any programs that exist right now to help children of incarcerated mothers? I would love to become involved and would greatly appreaciate the devulging of these kinds of resouces.
Lauren Harden, 20 Santa Cruz, CA
As a mother of two small children, the same ages as Missy and Laurie, I do not believe children should be seperated from their mothers, especially when there is no father in the picture. What I want to know what I can do. There has to be something the general public can do to help these children and their mothers while they are incarcerated. If for some reason I had no access to my children, I know I would go crazy worrying. I would hope someone with a good heart would step in for me and help my children. What can I do? If nothing else is there someway to write to the mothers in prison?
Danielle Presley, Oakland, CA
Thank you for your heartbreaking portrayal of families torn apart by incarceration. When The Bough Breaks brings to light many issues faced by the battered women and children we work with at the domestic violence organization where I'm executive director. The devastation of these families is a community problem affecting us all and for which we are all responsible. The lives of these children will never improve until we develop safety nets - resources and services - for these famnlies while they are apart and when they are reunited. Without changes we will continue to see these families - as the children of incarcerated mothers, later as offenders themselves and finally as the incarcerated parents of the children they leave behind. I hope the documentary is shown again soon for those who missed it Sunday.
Lynn Rothbarth, St. Louis, MO
I think that is sad that the kids can not see there Mothers I no that hurts them a lot. I no because my cousin was on that show his name is Roosevelt J.R and I no it hurt him a lot but he stays strong about it. I love him a lot because he is strong and he is like a big brother to me he shows me new things and take me places with hes friends like to the baskeball court. PS for all the kids on the show stay strong.
Stephon, St. Louis, MO
How can this be? Fifteen years in prison for stealing a suit from a department store. Only eleven years for a double murder. I hope I misunderstood the facts here. No wonder our prisons are loaded. What happen to wisdom in ourcourts. These women and their children need help. Our present system isn't helping these children,or their incarcerated mothers!
St. Louis, MO
Thank you for making this film possible. This is an issue that touches so many lives but receives so little attention. There was an objectivity and sensitivity evidenced in this work that inspired me to think and act differently.
Gaile L. Carter, IL
As long as the crime is that of nonviolent one. I think that its a good ideal to have the Kids remain with there mothers,in a home like settings. The show made me sad and confused as to why cant the mother keep her newborn child longer than 3 days after she gives birth? The show was full of true information that I can use as a human. Walking this world. Please keep up the good work.
Elena O'connell
I'm a social welfare doctoral student at UC Berkeley, and have begun conducting research into the lives of children who's mothers are in state prison here in California. I don't think the public understands what life is like for families in chaos -- whether it's because the children are abused or neglected, and/or the parent(s) have problems like mental illness, alcoholism, drug addiction, or are criminal offenders. Our State Legislature has become interested in these children. So this is a rare opportunity to educate policy makers about a problem in a way that enables them to grasp the myriad of issues confronting these families day in and day out the normal business of life. I so very much appreciated your film, and how true it rang in describing the multi-faceted aspects of life for these three families.... I found that their experiences felt real and very matter of fact, something that is so extraordinarily hard to capture and convey in film. I hope to arrange for a viewing of your film by later this Spring for those members of our legislature that are actively interested in this issue.
M. Anne Powell, MSW University of California, Berkeley
I just got finished visiting your web site. I was interested in learning some things and options about incarcerated women and their children. I am 25 years old and i have a beautiful 2 month old baby girl. Last summer I got caught transporting drugs, and in March I will go to trial. At the time of my arrest I had just found out I was pregnant and being poor and having three other children, all under the age of 4, I was terrified. An acuittance told me of how to make some quick money, and I thought it was the opportunity of a life time. i didn't think of what would happen if I got caught, I just knew I would be holding more money than I had ever seen at on time and maybe I could provide for my family better. Now I am looking at 20 years in prison and I am scared and the thought of losing my children torments me. And to think, the whole while all I thought about was being able to buy them new clothes. The reason women do things illegal is thatbeing uneducated, poor, living on welfare, and fathers that could care less about what happens to their children. Anyway i enjoyed your site- and i really wish there was a prison system where you could take your kids with you- in a perfect world, but if it was a perfect world I wouldn't have made the decisions I have!
Jaedin111
