"Be Still, My Heart": Sad and happy stories of young mothers
EVERY DAY PHOTOGRAPHERS AROUND THE WORLD looking for new ways to tell stories or to capture what we previously did not notice. We choose interesting photo projects and ask their authors what they wanted to say. This week we are publishing the project of a young photographer Martha Jakkone "Be Still, My Heart", who decided to dispel the prejudices of society about early motherhood and documented the life of young mothers from South Wales.
I was very lucky: for many years my dad has been shooting reports about his travels around the world, so I could experiment with different cameras since childhood. I am most interested in topics related to family life and the problems of adolescents, especially girls. I love working on long-playing projects for which I need to spend more than one year.
While studying at the university, I lived in Wales and at some point I noticed that there are a lot of young mothers here. They often gathered in small groups - they walked, went shopping and looked after the children. Then I thought about how difficult it is for these young girls to resist society’s prejudices about early motherhood, and made a project in their support. Despite their age, my heroines decided to become mothers and already therefore deserve the respect of others.
I not only captured the life of the girls and their children in the photo, but also asked each to tell their story. With this project I wanted to change the attitude of society towards young mothers and show how strong and responsible my heroines are, even if in the past many of them made mistakes. Today, they all proudly call themselves mothers and are ready to defend this title to anyone.
I was looking for heroines all over Wales: I just approached girls with young children on the streets, in shops, at bus stops and told about my project. Many immediately refused or agreed, but then stopped responding to my messages. In general, I don’t blame them for anything, in the end I’m an ordinary stranger for them who asked for a visit and asked for permission to photograph them with their children. For five months, I was invited to my house and allowed about 20 girls to look into their lives, for which I am very grateful. We continue to communicate in Facebook; I hope I can take a picture of them again - in a couple of years, and then in ten. I would like to continue documenting their lives.
Now I am 27 years old and for me personally motherhood is something that will happen to me very, very soon. It was all the more surprising to get acquainted with these girls who raise children alone or with their boyfriends, and sometimes even work or try to get an education. Each of them made a lasting impression on me.
Zoe (19 years old) and Kean (1 month), Cardiff
Zoe and her ex met for two years when she became pregnant. He was delighted with the unborn child, but continued to take drugs, so Zoe had to choose between the baby and his father. She does not regret her decision. Zoe lives with her relatives, who help her in everything and look after the child every day while she goes to college.
Sophie (20 years old), Ethan (3 years old) and Lucas (2 years old), Cardiff
Ethan and Lucas have one father who left the family shortly before the birth of Lucas. He decided that he no longer wanted to take care of them, and moved to another country, cutting off all contacts with his family. Sophie herself returned to college and works part-time.
Ryan (19 years old) and Lauri (6 weeks old), Newport
Before becoming pregnant, Ryan met with his father Lauri 10 months, but he ran away immediately, as he learned about the future child. The girl thought to have an abortion, but did not dare. A few months after Lauri was born, she met her current boyfriend, later they had a little girl. Now the couple lives together and is going to get married.
Shika (22 years old) and Asharia (4 years old), Bristol
Shika became pregnant at the age of 16, her mother became infuriated by this. The girl decided that she herself had to deal with her problems and moved out from her parents to start a new life. Now she lives with her daughter and her father, works and studies as a lawyer.
Beth (16 years old) and Amy-Lee (6 months), Cardiff
Beth is the youngest mother of all that I photographed. She's been through a lot. Before the baby was born, Beth started beating up a boyfriend, now he is in prison. Beth is much better without him. She never gives up. For a while, Beth lived in a shelter for women who had been subjected to domestic violence, but then came together with her mother and sister.
Morgan (19 years old) and Harley (6 months old), Newport
Morgan became pregnant for the first time at the age of 15, but realized that she could not cope with raising a child, so she gave it to her mother. The next time she got pregnant at 19 from another boyfriend, and this time she decided that she was old enough to become a mother. Morgan and Harley live in an apartment where her first child comes to talk every few days. None of their fathers wants a relationship with their children.
Marissa (20 years old) and Tori (3 years old), Ebb Vail
Marissa is studying photography. When she was 18 years old, trouble happened: her sister was killed by a boyfriend. The couple had an 18-month-old daughter who Marissa decided to take under her care.
Emily (17 years old) and Kira-LI (6 months), Bargoyd
Emily has been dating her boyfriend since she was 13, they always wanted to be a family. Despite the prohibition of parents, the girl became pregnant early. She loves children and hopes to have several more in the near future. They live with their boyfriend and plan to get married.
Janey (20 years old), Clara and Maddison (2.5 years old), Cardiff
Janie is a photographer, she loves to shoot newborns and mothers. Janie has been dating her boyfriend for many years, they were very happy and at the same time scared when they learned that she would have a child.
Lucy (20 years old) and jazz (1 year old), Newport
When Lucy got pregnant at the age of 18, she didn’t know what to do. She was supported by a boyfriend who assured the girl that she would always be there in spite of everything. Since then, they have been living together and he has worked several jobs to support his family.
Christina (18 years old), 3 and 8 months pregnant, Newport
Christina became pregnant a couple of weeks after the start of a new relationship. She and her boyfriend decided to leave the child and enthusiastically looked to the future. The only thing - could not choose the baby name. When I shot Christina in the eighth month of pregnancy, the couple broke up: the girl found out that her boyfriend had cheated on her and was not eager to become a father at all. Christina was depressed and tried not to lose her spirit completely. "I will have a boy. We broke up with his father, because he was not who I thought he was. It is very hard for me, but I look forward to the birth of the baby. I think it is not a bad thing that for some time the child will not father, in the end I will meet someone. I know a girl who was in a similar situation, now she has a new boyfriend and another child from him. When she found out about what happened to me, she sent a message - with you everything will be okay. I was very pleased. " Christine gave birth to a healthy, blue-eyed baby. She still lives with her family, relatives help her and look after her child while she goes to college.
Charlotte (19 years old) and Layla (6 weeks old), Newport
Charlotte accidentally got pregnant from a friend, with whom they are now a real couple. She did not tell him about the baby until she decided to give birth. It turned out a friend was ready to support any decision by Charlotte. "Motherhood is an incredible experience, I did not regret for a second that I had a baby. Layla changed my life for the better. Yes, it’s harder for me to do the things I always wanted to do. I was supported by so many people, real friends became me even closer - we see each other more often than before, because they also want to communicate with Leila. "
Jess (18 years old) and Scarlett (1 year old), Cardiff
Jess gave birth to her first daughter at the age of 15. Her father threw Jess before the birth of the child and did not want to maintain a relationship with them. When I took this picture, Jess fought in court with her mother for custody of the baby. At 17, Jess gave birth to a second daughter, and she also soon broke up with her father. Now the girl is trying to understand herself, before resuming her relationship with Scarlett's father. She works in an animal shelter.
Chelsea (19 years old) and Tyler Jay (1.5 years), Cwmbran
“When I got pregnant, we met with a boyfriend for only three or four months. Everything happened by chance, we discussed this situation and decided that if it did, it should be so. When the test showed a positive result, we cried, laughed and did not they knew what to do. In general, this is the best thing that has happened to us - suddenly everything fell into place. " Since then, Chelsea broke up with her boyfriend, her parents help her to raise a beautiful little boy.
Amberley (18 years) and Lilly (4 months), Bargoyd
Before starting a child, Amberley and her boyfriend met for a long time and consciously decided to become parents. "Before Lilly was born, I saw everything in a very positive light. I thought it would be nice to have a little person with a piece of me and my lover. How will I look after her and teach her everything. I didn’t expect it to be so difficult but still it was worth it. "
Lucy (23 years old), Logan (5 years old), Millie and Tulisa (1.5 years), Newport
"My boyfriend and I began to live separately from my parents when I was sixteen. We always wanted children, but I said let us wait until I was seventeen. And then I got pregnant. At first I panicked, but he reassured me and said everything will be fine with us and we have enough money. I was already the shift manager at the store and worked until I had to go on maternity leave. When the twins go to the garden next year, I will immediately return to work. And no more children. "
Beth (20 years old) and Emily (1 year old), Cardiff
“When I found out that I was pregnant, I burst into tears from fright. I called my boyfriend and he was also terrified and didn’t know what to say. Later we calmed down and realized that everything would be fine. both were stronger and taught how to set priorities. Before that, we did not think about our future, now we are family. We plan to get married soon and have already set a date. "
Brioni (19 years old) and Lukas (1 year old), Monmouth
When Brioni and her boyfriend found out that she was pregnant, they were delighted, but decided that they would like to have a baby in a couple of years. The girl signed up for an abortion, but while she was waiting for her turn, the boyfriend crashed on a motorcycle. Brioni decided to leave the child, but up to his birth she doubted whether she made the right decision. "In the first second, as I saw him, everything turned upside down in me. He is an exact copy of his father. I am so happy that I have it. There are days when it seems like I was mistaken when I just want to leave and get drunk, but it passes. I don’t know what would have happened to me if I hadn’t had a son. He’s the best I have. "
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