POV Season 10 Episode 8 Girls Like Us

Girls Like Us explores the often-overlooked stories of young women affected by the United States’ juvenile justice system. The episode follows two teenage girls from Philadelphia, Heather and Marisa, as they navigate a system that is supposed to help them but often feels like punishment. Through personal interviews and footage of their daily lives, viewers gain insight into the challenges they face.

Heather is a confident and charismatic young woman who has already spent two years in detention centers by the time we meet her. She shares stories about the tough girls she met and how they taught her to survive inside. Marisa, meanwhile, is quieter and more reserved, using her music as an escape from the stress of being on probation.

The documentary shows the girls in their homes, at school, and interacting with loved ones. Through these moments, it becomes clear how they ended up in the system. Heather’s mother is a recovering addict and her father is in jail. She has been in the system since she was 12 years old, and has experienced physical and sexual abuse in her young life. Her family is unable to provide the support and love she needs, so she seeks it out in relationships with boys who get her in trouble with the law. Marisa, on the other hand, made a mistake at 14 years old when she got involved with a boy who had a gun. Although she was not involved in any illegal activity, she was charged with possessing a firearm and sentenced to probation.

One of the most powerful aspects of Girls Like Us is the opportunity to hear from the girls in their own words. The filmmakers allow them to tell their stories without judgment or sensationalism. Heather and Marisa share their hopes and dreams, but also their fears and frustrations. They talk about the challenges of being a young woman in the criminal justice system, where they feel they are often dismissed or treated unfairly.

Several experts are featured throughout the episode to help contextualize the experiences of Heather and Marisa. A judge explains how the juvenile justice system is supposed to work, and a lawyer talks about the loopholes that often allow biased judgments and excessive punishment. We also hear from advocates who are working to change the system and make it more compassionate and rehabilitative.

Ultimately, Girls Like Us is a powerful and important look at a system that disproportionately affects women and girls of color. Through the stories of Heather and Marisa, viewers are able to understand the complex factors that lead to young women being caught up in the criminal justice system. The documentary offers an intimate and thought-provoking look at the lives of two young women who are so much more than their mistakes, and who deserve to be recognized as humans worthy of dignity and respect.