I am looking for a documentary which I saw on television around 1992.
I thought it was titled "The trouble With Mikey." It was filmed (I
believe) in chicago. It was about a little boy (mikey?) who was having
problems in his life. There were cameras set up in his house, and from
what I remember his parents were very cruel. They yelled at him, even
accused him of stealing pennies out of a jar. Later on, they recounted
the pennies and found there were none actually taken. I saw this
documentary on a BBC channel in England, but the family/child was
American from Chicago or Minnesota (I think). I could be way off on
the title. If I can provide any more information please let me know.
OH - I think at least some of the cameras wee black and white...but I
believe the documentary was made around 1990.

All I need is the title, and if possible where to purchase this on vhs
or dvd.Thank you!

Hi there,

Sounds like a Canadian doco called "The Trouble with Evan" from 1994:

Evan is an aggressive 11 year old who has taken to smoking, drinking
and stealing.  For 14 weeks his Canadian family allowed discreetly
hidden cameras to record their home life.  The cameras reveal that the
trouble with Evan has a lot to do with the troubled lives of his
parents.  The program identifies the harrowing effects of verbal abuse
on young children, yet it presents the points of view of both Evan and
his parents, ultimately providing a unique portrait.
Evan's experience is placed alongside the life stories of seven young
offenders and drug addicts undergoing treatment at a correctional
centre.  Their personal histories are sadly similar to the life of
Evan.
http://www.psychology.adelaide.edu.au/resources/videolibrary/Social/trouble-evan.html

PBS - The Trouble with Evan
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/programs/categories/info/1220.html


Search strategy:

"the trouble with" mother documentary -harry chicago
://www.google.com/search?q=%22the+trouble+with%22+mother+documentary+-harry+chicago


I could not find it for sale anywhere (PBS aren't selling it), however
many libraries will have it, especially university libraries.

Best wishes,
robertskelton-ga

I am pretty sure this is it! I don't remember anything about 7 other
offenders, that is the only thing that makes me unsure. But, I am
fairly confident this is the documentary I was looking for. Thank you
very, very much! This is a great service!