General Entry - Emerging Talent Awards

(2011-2013) With teenage pregnancy stereotyped as a social problem, most dominant discourses do not consider the limited choices available to many young women experiencing ‘disadvantage’. As a consequence, becoming a mother at a young age can be perceived as an irrational and irresponsible choice. However, for many disadvantaged youth, becoming a parent young may not be a ‘failure of planning’, but instead a tacit response to the limited choices and opportunities available to them. Through exploring relationships between social class, stigma and gender ‘You didn’t take away my future, you gave me a new one’ seeks to explore the lived experience of several young mothers and their families. The aim of this project is not to argue the oversimplified narratives of ‘good’ or ‘bad’ mothers. Instead, it is hoped that the project can serve as a platform to show the complexities of each woman’s lived experience, and challenge conventional views of young mothers through recognising the validity of their (often misunderstood and stigmatised) choices. Please note: This is a long-term ongoing project incorporating both series 'We met a little early, but I get to love you longer' and 'You didn't take away my future, you gave me a new one'.