The Double Burden: Three Generations of Working Mothers
Producer – Marlene Booth
60 minutes, 1992
In Distribution
What is it like to grow up in a family where mothers have always worked outside the home? The Double Burden vividly portrays the lives of three families; one Mexican-American, one Polish-American, and one African-American- each with three generations of women who worked outside the home while also raising families. The film instills respect for the accomplishments of women and for women of different races, social classes and life-styles. It is the first film to look at being a working mother as a positive, multi-generational phenomenon.
“A brilliant, exquisitely crafted work.”
-Martha Minow, Professor of Law, Harvard University“Through a series of portraits that reach across different class, ethnic and generational experiences, this film speaks eloquently to the diversity of pains and pleasures of working motherhood.”
-Afsaneh Najmabadi, Women’s Studies Barnard College“The Double Burden will certainly stimulate lively classroom discussion. It is a perfect length and terrific for courses on the family, on women, and on racial and ethnic diversity.”
-Deborah Belle, Ed.D., Professor of Psychology, Boston University
Screenings and awards include: Cinema du Reel, Paris, 1993; National Education Film/Video Festival (Bronze Apple), 1993; Museum of Modern Art, 1993; Atlanta Film/Video Festival, 1993; Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival, 1993.
Major funding was provided by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities and the National endowment for the Arts through the New England Regional Fellowship.