Positive role models for those of us from difficult childhoods...

[SkeletonSkins]

My childhood wasn't very nice, violence and alcohol problems involving my mother from a young age.

So many films and TV programmes, the villain in it is portrayed as having a difficult back ground and it's almost seen as inevitable that they'll end up evil or a criminal or whatever. I know it's most likely me being over sensitive, but I was just looking for recommendations really of films or programmes, or even an autobiography of someone who has a shit start but overcomes it.

I'm just watching Scott and Bailey again, completely bizarre but when it first came out this programme really touched a nerve as although one of the main characters Rachel, is a bit of a mess by all accounts at times, she's successful despite this, and I see in that character so many aspects of how I am eg. seeking out support from other females, being hyper aware of what others doing, black and white thinking. Her overcoming this and working through it really did help me.

Any suggestions?

The Glass Castle comes to mind. It's a memoir, and now a movie. The book mostly focuses on her bizarre and horrific childhood, and her adult life is only a few pages. The movie goes back and forth.

I'm sure I know others...

Thanks Cafe I'll take a look! It's sad really that there are so few positive representations of what can be overcome.

May be I should write my life story! American girl with abusive (physical / emotional / sexual abuse) yet religious parents, goes crazy for a few years with drugs /alcohol / causal sex, gradually becomes sane through counseling and eastern philosophy, eventually works her way through uni, marries sweet British emigrant and becomes mild mannered suburban house wife with a golden retriever.

I think the ending sounds a bit dull, but it's nice.