Mødrehjælpen (1942) - full transcript
The Mothers' Aid is a state-funded institution with branches all over Denmark. Erna, a young pregnant woman, has asked a doctor to carry out an abortion, but instead he advised her to go to the Mothers' Aid for consultation. She is unmarried, and afraid of losing her job, if she is going to have a baby. The female adviser suggests that she should give birth to the child, and then decide if she should keep it, or have it adopted by someone else. Erna takes part in a course, where she learns how to look after a baby. The last six weeks before the birth she lives in a home for expectant mothers at no expenses for her. The child is born and Erna decides to keep it. She and her child spend the first months in a home for mothers and their babies, which is also free of charge.
GOOD MOTHERS
The Mothers' Aid institution
is based on client confidentiality,
so the participation in this film
has been entirely voluntary.
Babies' linen drying
like tiny flags and pendants,
floating merrily,
nothing out of the ordinary,
saluting a small nation,
a nation of little ones, of children.
Of children behind bars,
children in cages,
children in short trousers,
children in petticoats.
Children,
children, children.
All brought into this world
under the patronage of the Mothers' Aid
institution which assists mothers.
There is a special law
which says assistance must be given
to every mother who needs help,
whether they are married or not.
Mothers' Aid
has branches all over the country
and it is easy to get in touch with them.
From the seven head branches
social advisors
are sent to 63 other places.
MOTHERS' AID
OFFICE HOURS 12-2
This chair is in a way
a symbol of the institution.
It is ready for any woman
who is in need of help.
WAITING ROOM
Last year 37,400 women
applied for aid.
They come from
all classes of society.
And it is a misunderstanding
to think that only unmarried women
are granted the support
of the Mothers' Aid institution.
They come confident in the knowledge
that nothing of what they confess
will be disclosed to anybody
outside the institution.
Young women have been prevented
from acting with undue haste
because they no longer felt
that they were alone.
Behind each of these doors is a chair
waiting for women in need of help.
Let's hear one of those women
unburdening her mind.
- Christian name?
- Erna.
I have been to see a doctor,
but he wouldn't...
What did he say?
He gave me this card
and said I should go and see you.
Listen, you must help me.
I'm in such despair
and if you won't help me,
I shall have to find
someone who will.
No, don't do that.
You might ruin your health.
Besides, you run the risk
of being punished.
Yes, but it is all so hopeless.
We shall do the best we can
to help you.
I understand, you want me
to have the child, but I don't want to.
Let the doctor have a look at you first.
But why won't you have that child?
You are in good health.
But how will I cope on my own?
Haven't you got a job?
Yes, but I shall lose it
when they hear my story.
I'm sure we can help you
return to work.
Oh, what am I to do?
You must have that child.
No.
Think how a child would tie me down.
And it would be unfair
on the child, too.
What about the father?
I won't have anything to do with him.
He has been too mean to me.
And I can't be alone with a child.
Someone will adopt it.
We can arrange that for you,
but have the child first, and then we'll see
if you wish to give it up.
No, it's of no use.
Listen, why don't you think it over?
And come back
to discuss the matter.
Please, do.
- Goodbye.
- Goodbye.
Erna has listened to reason and
has decided to give birth to her child.
She is examined and attended to
by a midwife and a doctor,
all free of charge.
Last year almost 3,000
consultations were given
to both married
and unmarried women.
Erna has become calm and confident.
She takes great interest
in learning how to look after her baby.
A whole new world is about
to reveal itself to her.
She thinks about herself less.
This doll here is called Petra.
She has the great advantage
that she neither cries nor kicks.
It's difficult enough as it is.
Yes, that's better.
While Erna prepares
for the birth of her child,
the Mothers' Aid institution
takes the father in hand.
He, too, has something to learn.
He is not allowed to run away
from his responsibilities.
Even in these matters,
many young women need help.
For the last six weeks
before the birth,
Erna lives in a home
for expectant mothers.
Here she is shielded
from any teasing and taunting.
In the country's main hospital,
Erna brings her child into the world
and here her baby cries
for the first time.
In a home for mothers
and their babies,
Erna and her child spend
the first months after the birth
at no expense to her.
Last year these homes gave shelter
to 250 mothers with new-born children
as well as 1,000 other children
temporarily taken care of.
Erna's baby is much better nursed
than it would have been at home.
Twice a year the home
holds christenings for the babies.
It is a great event for everybody.
The ceremony must be
recorded for eternity.
Here is the photographer.
Erna has resumed normal life.
How do you do?
There he is, the little chap.
What a fine boy.
- What is his name?
- Christian.
His name is Christian.
How do you do, Christian?
Now, what about
having him adopted?
- No, I want to keep him.
- I knew you would.
Christian grows up.
Mothers' Aid teaches Erna to make toys
out of discarded material.
It is incredible how much
you can get out of so little.
Remnants of wax cloth
can be turned into a giraffe.
This one is called Mrs Upright.
What could this be used for?
For a village church.
Christian will certainly not get bored.
Erna learns also to sing
simple children's songs
and in turn
she teaches them to Christian.
Poor little Negro boy
He is black from tip to toe
That is how he always has to go
Poor little Negro boy
Erna falls on hard times and
Christian needs some new clothes.
But for that, too,
Mothers' Aid has the remedy.
Last year 32,000 items
of children's clothing were distributed.
Christian before.
Christian after.
Spring smiles on Erna
and she smiles on her Christian.
She now has something to live for -
a home and a child.
THE END
The Mothers' Aid institution
is based on client confidentiality,
so the participation in this film
has been entirely voluntary.
Babies' linen drying
like tiny flags and pendants,
floating merrily,
nothing out of the ordinary,
saluting a small nation,
a nation of little ones, of children.
Of children behind bars,
children in cages,
children in short trousers,
children in petticoats.
Children,
children, children.
All brought into this world
under the patronage of the Mothers' Aid
institution which assists mothers.
There is a special law
which says assistance must be given
to every mother who needs help,
whether they are married or not.
Mothers' Aid
has branches all over the country
and it is easy to get in touch with them.
From the seven head branches
social advisors
are sent to 63 other places.
MOTHERS' AID
OFFICE HOURS 12-2
This chair is in a way
a symbol of the institution.
It is ready for any woman
who is in need of help.
WAITING ROOM
Last year 37,400 women
applied for aid.
They come from
all classes of society.
And it is a misunderstanding
to think that only unmarried women
are granted the support
of the Mothers' Aid institution.
They come confident in the knowledge
that nothing of what they confess
will be disclosed to anybody
outside the institution.
Young women have been prevented
from acting with undue haste
because they no longer felt
that they were alone.
Behind each of these doors is a chair
waiting for women in need of help.
Let's hear one of those women
unburdening her mind.
- Christian name?
- Erna.
I have been to see a doctor,
but he wouldn't...
What did he say?
He gave me this card
and said I should go and see you.
Listen, you must help me.
I'm in such despair
and if you won't help me,
I shall have to find
someone who will.
No, don't do that.
You might ruin your health.
Besides, you run the risk
of being punished.
Yes, but it is all so hopeless.
We shall do the best we can
to help you.
I understand, you want me
to have the child, but I don't want to.
Let the doctor have a look at you first.
But why won't you have that child?
You are in good health.
But how will I cope on my own?
Haven't you got a job?
Yes, but I shall lose it
when they hear my story.
I'm sure we can help you
return to work.
Oh, what am I to do?
You must have that child.
No.
Think how a child would tie me down.
And it would be unfair
on the child, too.
What about the father?
I won't have anything to do with him.
He has been too mean to me.
And I can't be alone with a child.
Someone will adopt it.
We can arrange that for you,
but have the child first, and then we'll see
if you wish to give it up.
No, it's of no use.
Listen, why don't you think it over?
And come back
to discuss the matter.
Please, do.
- Goodbye.
- Goodbye.
Erna has listened to reason and
has decided to give birth to her child.
She is examined and attended to
by a midwife and a doctor,
all free of charge.
Last year almost 3,000
consultations were given
to both married
and unmarried women.
Erna has become calm and confident.
She takes great interest
in learning how to look after her baby.
A whole new world is about
to reveal itself to her.
She thinks about herself less.
This doll here is called Petra.
She has the great advantage
that she neither cries nor kicks.
It's difficult enough as it is.
Yes, that's better.
While Erna prepares
for the birth of her child,
the Mothers' Aid institution
takes the father in hand.
He, too, has something to learn.
He is not allowed to run away
from his responsibilities.
Even in these matters,
many young women need help.
For the last six weeks
before the birth,
Erna lives in a home
for expectant mothers.
Here she is shielded
from any teasing and taunting.
In the country's main hospital,
Erna brings her child into the world
and here her baby cries
for the first time.
In a home for mothers
and their babies,
Erna and her child spend
the first months after the birth
at no expense to her.
Last year these homes gave shelter
to 250 mothers with new-born children
as well as 1,000 other children
temporarily taken care of.
Erna's baby is much better nursed
than it would have been at home.
Twice a year the home
holds christenings for the babies.
It is a great event for everybody.
The ceremony must be
recorded for eternity.
Here is the photographer.
Erna has resumed normal life.
How do you do?
There he is, the little chap.
What a fine boy.
- What is his name?
- Christian.
His name is Christian.
How do you do, Christian?
Now, what about
having him adopted?
- No, I want to keep him.
- I knew you would.
Christian grows up.
Mothers' Aid teaches Erna to make toys
out of discarded material.
It is incredible how much
you can get out of so little.
Remnants of wax cloth
can be turned into a giraffe.
This one is called Mrs Upright.
What could this be used for?
For a village church.
Christian will certainly not get bored.
Erna learns also to sing
simple children's songs
and in turn
she teaches them to Christian.
Poor little Negro boy
He is black from tip to toe
That is how he always has to go
Poor little Negro boy
Erna falls on hard times and
Christian needs some new clothes.
But for that, too,
Mothers' Aid has the remedy.
Last year 32,000 items
of children's clothing were distributed.
Christian before.
Christian after.
Spring smiles on Erna
and she smiles on her Christian.
She now has something to live for -
a home and a child.
THE END