Sunshine by Karen Skloss: Independent Lens Review-Airs Tues., May 4 @ 10pm on PBS

SUNSHINE, Karen Skloss’s film about the changing face of motherhood, will air on the PBS series Independent Lens on Tuesday, May 4 at 10 p.m. (check local listings).

Skloss found herself wondering if history repeats itself when she unexpectedly became pregnant, her own birth the result of her mother’s unplanned pregnancy 23 years earlier.  How had ‘unwed motherhood’ changed over those decades, from 1975, when her mother, from a small town in Texas, was sent away in secret to give birth, to today, when single moms are more prevalent but the rules are still being written?

SUNSHINE examines the change from the Scarlet Letter of ‘unwed motherhood’ to today’s single moms through the story of her own life.  Today, Karen and her ex-boyfriend co-parent her daughter, Jasmine, equally splitting the time with her.  How are the changes in society’s perceptions changing our idea of family?

You can view a trailer here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YApfNHCSTAo

-Courtesy of Independent Lens

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I was interested when presented with the opportunity to review Sunshine, an Independent Lens film by Karen Skloss. The film examines the changing role of mothers.

Skloss found herself asking the question 'Does history repeat itself?' when she found herself unexpectedly pregnant. She personally was the result of an unplanned pregnancy 23 years earlier.

She wondered how much had 'unwed motherhood' really changed after all these years? Many years ago in 1975 her own mother had gone away in secret to give birth to her. Today single moms are more common, but the rules are 'still being written'. 

I personally know many single moms who are great moms! A good friend of mine is a single mom of two kids and does a awesome job. Many of the moms I provided in-home daycare for were single moms and worked hard to provide for their kids. Its amazing how many years ago being a single mom was unheard of, now many powerful, professional moms choose to be single mothers. When I cleaned homes one of our clients had an impressive home and she was a single professional mom of two children. Today single motherhood is more accepted but these mothers still face prejudices. 

I love the discussion the film Sunshine brings to the table. Sunshine by Karen Skloss will air Tuesday May 4 at 10 pm on PBS as a feature of Independent Lens. Check your local listings.

* I received a copy of Sunshine to facilitate my candid and honest review. No other form of compensation was or will be given. All personal views are my own!