Girlhood (Dir: Liz Garbus, 2003) | Feminist Films in the Swarthmore In my own opinion, considering that Megan has to do all this on her own, hers is the greater achievement. Like Us On Facebook | Follow Us On Twitter. Garbus rigidity in framing the girls experiences does not allow for the expansiveness and complexity allowed by new theories of girlhood. By Kate Durbin 07/14/2021. Garbus interest in and empathy for her subjects and, more importantly, the way in which she relays their girlhood, makes for an entertaining and emotional documentary, but perhaps an incomplete one. Your email address will not be published. Your email address will not be published. We can see for ourselves how much love they need and how dangerous it is to think that institutions alone can solve these societal problems. From there she enrolls in high school, where she places fourth in her class, and plans to attend a community college. You'll get a detailed solution from a subject matter expert that helps you learn core concepts. Girlhood (2003) Documentary - YouTube As the documentary end, it is clear that Megan is afraid to trust others. Similarly, she seems to suffer from ambivalent attachment because she is always distressed when she is unable to receive affirmations from her mother. Early in the film it is apparent that Shanae doesn't really feel remorseful for the murder of her friend. This film is not rated. Nevertheless, this is a worthwhile close-up look at two of the troublesome girls who are representative of the problems society faces. EDPY 303.005 Dr. Armstrong 08 May 2018 Girlhood (2003) Documentary Introduction: The topics presented in this paper include the effects of trauma on two young girls and their incarceration after committing violent assaults. So what will be the fate of Shanae and Megan when they leave Waxter? Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, t. Even though she does not get the chance to further her education, she avoids returning to a life of crime (Garbus, 2003). Shanae also does well in school finishing fourth in her class. FILM; A Filmmaker Who Chooses to Live Behind Bars The first example is how wary she is of strangers (Eysenck, 2015). He also states that although many of the girls leave Waxter and go on to live lives free of crime, others lives deteriorate when they get back home because of the dangers and tempations of life in their often crime-filled neighbourhoods (remember most of the inmates at Waxler are coming from Baltimore!). Unlike Megan, who ends up bitter, Shanae has a positive outlook that things will become better. She's Got Moxie: Liz Garbus on "Girlhood" and Lives - IndieWire Profile of Liz Garbus by the Center for Social Media, Movie Fire Craker Website (Liz Garbus Film Website), Your email address will not be published. I was just doing anything to kill myself, honestly," she says. Ecological Framework Thankfully, her parents point out that being dead is definitely WORSE than being in detention! . Required fields are marked *, College Essay Examples | October 19, 2018. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. The disrupted attachment led to a paradoxical relationship with the caregivers in Waxter (Shaffer & Kipp, 2010). She tries to reach out to her mother multiple times despite being disappointed numerous times. Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for fair use for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research.This Documentary/Film \"Girlhood\" is not for any personal financial profit or gain to TheeSymphony'sCulture Channel, but instead only for educational purposes and cultural research. Humanizing those who have committed crimes especially children is a good thing to do, and certainly expands the viewers capacity to embrace complicated narratives and emotions. Garbus remarks that the structure within Waxter allows the girls to actually be girls. On the other hand, Girl Hood creates an uncomfortable comparison between Shanae and Megan and their relationship with their mothers. http://sites.google.com/view/ehdwjwbxfu/linkedlist-member-modification-c, Your email address will not be published. The juvenile justice system serves her well, because she's deeply involved in forging her own path. Her cousin has to console her. Life on the streets in a community where drugs are readily available offers her plenty of opportunities to repeat the same mistakes. http://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-nov-14-et-girlhood14-story.html, http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/29/movies/film-review-documentary-illuminates-young-lives-crossroads-redemption.html, http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/girlhood-subjects-get-narrative-feature-829762, http://sites.google.com/view/ehdwjwbxfu/linkedlist-member-modification-c, this dissertation provides a compelling argument. Megan, the other young offender continues to practise delinquent . Megan also shows that she has self-efficacy. A Conversation with Megan Milks and Marisa Crawford - BLARB As Oprah questioned Megan about her current situation and plans for the future, the teen grew visibly agitated. Open Document. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Megan is doing great for herself She was there as a member of the community and Shanae was a child of the community and therefore her child. Girl Hood is a documentary film directed and produced by Liz Garbus that follows two teenage girls, Shanae and Megan, over the span of three years, from the time they are in the all-girls juvenile detention center at Thomas J.S Waxter Childrens Center in Laurel, Maryland, to when they are out in the real world. But one is left wondering how this silly girl took it upon herself to attack another young woman with a box cutter (the main reason why she is locked up). Gender Roles In The Film Girlhood - 623 Words | Bartleby In the beginning, Shanae is not remorseful for committing murder (Garbus, 2003). A story of mothers and daughters, crimes and consequences, and strength in the face of unimaginable adversity, girlhood is a testament to the faith and struggles of two girls just trying to grow up. REVIEW: GIRLHOOD Documentary On Netflix - WordPress.com Shanae is 14 and has served two years at Waxter for the murder of her friend, a crime she committed when she as only 12 years old. Brody, R., & Dwyer, D. (2016). Running time: 88 minutes. Documentary chronicling America's justice system. At 14, she was hit by a stray bullet during a gunfight. She gets her place to live. Is it maternal nurturing that makes the difference? How A Violent Teen Who Had Given Up On Life Turned It All Around The documentary Girlhood follows the lives of two girls, Shanae and Megan, from 1999-2002, during and shortly after their release from Waxter Juvenile Facility in Maryland. It indicates that she is wary of strangers (Garbus, 2003). Megan, 16, was also involved in a fight and was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon. We are introduced to them while they are incarcerated in Waxter Juvenile Detention Center, just outside of Baltimore, Maryland. For example, once the girls are out of Waxter, we see Shanae is doing well in school and even goes to her prom. Megan, we are told, has been in 11 foster houses by the age of 16. Wake up to the day's most important news. What happened to Megan Jensen from the girlhood documentary? "I don't want to do this no more.". The DVD has an interesting commentary by Liz Barbus, whose filmogarphy is also provided. It is also quite clear that the staff at Waxter have a special affection for her despite her antics. The 16-year-old Shanae was placed in the Florence Crittenton Group home and the slightly older Megan was rewarded for trying to run away by gaining her official freedom. 5 Pages. Once Shanae begins to face the reality of what she did, she is transferred to a group home and begins to flourish. At Waxter, Megans need for attention and affection, her vulnerablity, are on display for everyone to see. However, Garbus suggests that this is due to the lack of adequate recreational activities in Waxter (Garbus, 2003). At one point she tells her parents that the girl she murdered actually has it easy because shes just dead whereas Shanae is suffering because she is in detention. Additionally, the film has been criticized for having the drama move the film along. AQA Psychology: AS and A-level Year 1. T he 'Girlhood' documentary highlights the plight of girls in juvenile centers with some psychological disorders. Documentary Review: girlhood by Liz Garbus | The Woyingi Blog We have already learned that starting at the age of 10, Shanae began drinking alcohol heavily, was running away from home and having unprotected sex. She was farmed out to live with a foster parent. A lot of this seems due in part to her mother Antoinettes support. When we meet Megan at Waxter it is clear that she is something of a troublemaker but probably more out of boredom than any malice (Garbus in her DVD commentary says that Megan is actually a very respectful young woman and that one of her main criticism of the Waxter Facility is that there is not really much structured activities for the inmates.). But while researching junvenile detention centres she met Shanae who suggested that she make a film about girls. ESSAY WRITING SERVICE SAMPLE: LANGUAGE ACQUISITION, ESSAY WRITING SAMPLE: CORNING INC. COMPANY PROFILE CASE STUDY, RESEARCH PAPER ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY: THE ISRAEL-PALESTINE CONFLICT, How realism, a theory of International Relations, can apply to Foreign Policy, SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY: GIRLHOOD MOVIE REVIEW. Because of the serious nature of her crime Shanae has been locked up for over two years and is anxious to go home when the film begins, but showing no remorse for her crime and acting like an obnoxious brat. What is more important is that both boys and girls develop a sense of agency in relation to their aggressive behaviour, and take responsiblity for the consequences of their violent actions. Excerpt from Essay : Girlhood juvenile delinquents, Shanae Megan, Waxter Juvenile Facility Maryland. Girlhood: The Theories Of Aggression And Violence | Studymode Our managing editor an award-winning journalist has spent the past 7 years refining our roster. One of the most educational parts of the film I felt was the example set by Antoinette. Third, Shanae becomes emotionally expressive. She had many problems communicating with her foster parents, and she ran away ten times before she had even been arrested for aggravated assault. As the film progresses we see Shanae go from feeling very little remorse or even understanding of the consequences of her violent actions, to feeling real remorse and a sense of responsiblity. The documentary, indeed, treats girlhood as its subject a phase of life distinct from womanhood, childhood or any other experience. Shanae was only 11 at the time and had tumbled into a numbed existence of drinking and drugs after being gang-raped by five boys. Megan is 16 and is in Waxter for Assault with a deadly weapon. At the Quad Cinema, 34 West 13th Street, Greenwich Village. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/girlhood This documentary really touched me and made me so much more grateful for my environment and support. As you watch it, you wish the film would fill in more of each girl's background. Issues such as child neglect, failure of the foster care system, alcoholism and drug abuse. We follow them over a period of about three years. Feb 26th, 2022 Published. An Ijaw Story: JOURNEY TO THE PRESENCE OF WOYINGI, Africas 100 Best Books of the 20th Century, African Regional Links: Central/Middle Africa, Literature from the Black African Diaspora, Documentary Review: girlhood by Liz Garbus, Countries: Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Black Canadians of Afro-Caribbean Descent. recently followed up with Megan to see what had happened after the show. Your email address will not be published. In the documentary, she is always trying to contact either the mother or the grandmother. That roster includes ''The Farm: Angola, U.S.A,'' an acclaimed film about the largest maximum-security prison in the United States, and ''The Execution of Wanda Jean,'' a sympathetic portrait of the first black woman executed in America in the last 50 years. Megan, the more unruly of the two is a little older than Shanae. Early in the film it is apparent that Shanae doesnt really feel remorseful for the murder of her friend. http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/29/movies/film-review-documentary-illuminates-young-lives-crossroads-redemption.html So the films have been very organically connected. She portrays this by her apprehensive response that she gives to her parent. Shanae Owens and Megan Jensen in girlhood. With its drab green walls and sparse furnishings, Waxter is no country club. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. Garbus remarks during her DVD commentarythat she was torn while making this film because her ultimate conclusion during her experience following these girls lives was that Family Matters. Developmental Psychology: Childhood & Adolescence: Childhood and Adolescence. Your email address will not be published. This confused young girl ran away from ten foster homes and wound up attacking another . The documentary "Girlhood" follows the lives of two girls, Shanae and Megan, from 1999-2002, during and shortly after their release from Waxter Juvenile Facility in Maryland. Shanae started drinking with her cousin. It is a sign of her resiliency that she manages to handle a tragedy that would have unsettled more wobbly teenagers. She is often well behaved, but she still shows bouts of mischief. "I just lost all respect for myself," she says. How is Megan Jensen from Girlhood doing I just saw the film and was really. Both of the girls have been in the system for years, Megan has been in and out of juvenile detention centers and foster homes for years and is . The girls tragic relationships with their mothers, their struggles with sexuality, their experiences with rape and sexual assault, drug use and poverty have shaped their lives in and out of jail. Shanae is 14 and has served two years at Waxter for the murder of her friend, a crime she committed when she as only 12 years old. Abruptly, she halted the conversation.