“Mamás Adolescentes” Photography Exhibit Makes Us Want To Be Pregnant Teens
12 August 2008, 4:45 PM. By Guanabee Staff
Photographer Erin Patrice O’Brien said she got the idea for her “Mamás Adoloscentes” project after giving birth to her own daughter and wondering how the hell teenagers cope with such a traumatic change. She photographed five Mexican girls in New York ages 14-18 from pregnancy through their babies’ first year to capture the hardships of pregnant, immigrant teens. But sociological statement aside, isn’t this baby frikking adorable???? That’s Justin and his 15 year-old mom Elizabeth (who’s pretty darn cute herself.) You must see the other photos after the jump. You’ll be knocked up in no time.
Two week-old Justin at home on his mom’s bed.
Justin with his grandmother and mom Elizabeth in the background.
Fifteen year-old pregnant Elizabeth and her sisters at home.
Maria, 18, and her son Irving in the Summer of 2007.
Maria pregnant.
Fanny, 14, with her 4 week old son. She returned to junior high after he was born.
Yolanda, 17, and her one month old daughter.
Gina, 16.
Mamás Adolescentes [Erin Patrice O'Brien]
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Is Gina looking out over the JMZ train?
My mom had me at the tender age of 16 and let me tell you, she sure wasnt all smiles about that shit. Thats nice and wonderful that they seem happy about being such young mothers but I dont know if they have thought thru all the hardships that they will endure and opportunities that they will miss out on. My family is Mexican so there is no hate here but c’mon look at their surroundings. If those girls want to break out of the cycle and the less than fantastic lives and neighborhoods they live in then perhaps we as a community should really start emphasizing some birth control.
Get your fucking priorites straight.
I want to steal about two of those babies.
The first two babies featured (Justin and Irving) are ungodly adorable. Yeah, the clock is ticking on me. If it weren’t for this damned responsible streak I have…
aawww.. it does make me want to go a get prego..
but question. how come mexicans(maybe other latinos too, i dont know) like to give their babies names they cannot pronounce.. “Youstine ven pa’ ca”
i know a lady who named her kid James.. and calls him yames
Where are los Papis? Especially those who knocked up the underage girls. In jail? Out in the barrio? Does anyone care about the fact somebody committed statutory rape?
Casey Que: Perhaps the papi’s are 14-15 years old too. ??????
@ Casey Que, Valerie: If you click the link to the actual website, it shows that most of the dads work 60+ hours a week, one dad got deported to Mexico and one is just a raging asshole who required a restraining order.
Anyone else catch the irony of these girls posing in front of pictures of La Virgen? What Fredo said.
seriously, what the f*ck! What kind of person has sex with 14, 16 year old girls. After going to the website i almost feel like this just help perpetuate the image of mexican girls as baby making machines. I have a 1 year old and I cant see me letting her get pregnant at 14 like the girls in the photos. Why are we as hispanics afraid to educate our children about sex! Then when they end up pregnant its like its no big deal. La Raza needs to wake up in this country and teach to be proud of getting an education, making something out of your life! Not to swoon over these young girls for getting pregnant and bringing a child into the world.
@grendel: I couldn’t agree with you more that Latinos need to educate their kids. I don’t think I grew up in the same world that these girls are living in. It would have been unacceptable for me to come home pregnant at 15, but in their world it seems to be a matter of course. I just didn’t feel the need to throw judgment at them. And the kids are fucking adorable now that they’re here.
@La Cindy: Noone is saying those babies arent cute. The thing is that these mothers are just kids. This does push the mexican baby making stereotype and the fathers shouldnt be having to work 60 hr weeks and lets be optimistic that they aren’t low paying jobs. This should not a be a “matter of course” this should be a call to everyone that we need a change on views. Our families came to this country to better themselves and so their kids could have more than they did. Guess what? Getting knocked up at 14 15 16 isnt gonna get you anything but a hard life supporting kids that you had way too young.
Yeah but my point is, tell me something I don’t already know.
My empty uterus has just shouted at me and now I might cry.