Pobre juventud

Pobre juventud (English title: Poor Youth) is a Mexican telenovela produced by Carla Estrada for Televisa in 1986.^[1] It is from an original story by Félix B. Caignet, adapted by Marcia del Río and directed by Pedro Damián.

Jaime Moreno and Gabriela Roel starred as adult protagonists, while Alberto Mayagoitía [es; pl; pt; ru] and Patricia Pereyra [es; ht; pt; ru] starred as young protagonists.

Jorge is a rebellious and troubled young man who becomes interned in a reformatory where he discovers many of his colleagues in the same predicament, including Ponchado, Freddy, Muelas, El Chino and El Ruso. They all suffer cruelty and maltreatment at the hands of Remigio and Antonio, the sadistic guards.

Rosario, who works as a nurse at the reformatory, is a courageous young woman who is strongly opposed to the mistreatment and abuse daily dished out to the boys. Due to her kindness and great sense of justice, Rosario wins the sympathy of the delinquents there.

Jorge is a disturbed delinquent owing to the lack of affection at home, where he lives with his drunken father Evaristo, who only passes the time in an alcoholic stupor. On the other hand, there is Eduardo, a father/widower who mourns his only son Miguel, who died in an accident and who lives with his mother Eugenia.

One day Jorge and Ponchado decide to escape the harsh environment of the reformatory, masquerading as doctors. Jorge flees to the neighborhood where he lives, soliciting help from his neighbor, Teresa. Confronting Evaristo and asking him to take her son once and for all, the man becomes angry and denies Jorge is his own son, thus revealing that Jorge was adopted.

Then the vengeful man goes to the reformatory and claims that George (Jorge) is in the vicinity. Teresa gives money to the boy to flee and be saved. Evading the police, Jorge decides to hide in Eduardo's house by climbing the wall. Eduardo finds out, and also notices the huge resemblance to Michael, who he hides in his house.

Jorge Anselmo quickly befriends the family butler, but Eugenia turns reproachful, saying it is unacceptable that "a disgusting boy" is allowed to live at home.

Rosario does not support the sordid atmosphere of the reformatory and thanks to the help of Dr. Alberto Junquera resigns and goes to work in his office. Soon thereafter, she meets Eduardo and falls in love with him. Meanwhile, Jorge suffers the death of his girlfriend, Chelito from leukemia, but finds love again in Alejandra, eventually discovering the truth about his origins.

• Pobre juventud at IMDb