On the Edge takes on the issue of homelessness among mothers and children. Director Laura Vazquez speaks with seven women in four states, including a Louisiana shelter director who walked in her residents' shoes 11 years before, and a Florida mother of three who had problems holding on to jobs when one child fell sick, leading to trouble paying the rent and eventual stays in a string of hotels and motels. Vazquez also interviews advocates, such as Ralph Nunez of New York's Homes for the Homeless, who describes what he calls an “invisible” problem, since a visibly homeless woman could automatically lose her children to state agencies and therefore will find places to go, even if it means staying with friends and relatives for months at a time. Sadly, the closer Vazquez looks at the situation, the more its complexity becomes apparent. Julianna, an Arizona mother of four, for instance, went looking for a shelter after her husband's abuse escalated, but many facilities don't take boys over the age of 12. She and her husband were also in the military, which complicated the issue further, since any complaints regarding his behavior could jeopardize his rank. Other struggles covered here include infidelity, the negative effects on children's self-esteem and educational progress, drug and alcohol addiction, and natural disasters. Offering an insightful look at a serious issue, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)
On the Edge
(2011) 60 min. DVD: $30. Nomad Productions (dist. by The AV Cafe). Volume 26, Issue 6
On the Edge
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