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Children of Children has traveled to over 50 cities including: San Antonio, Texas - The Witte Museum
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Statement: CHILDREN OF CHILDREN This exhibition presents 50 portraits and stories of those whose lives have been crucially affected by teenage pregnancy. Half of the subjects are current teenage parents and half are individuals who were once teenage parents. One story is from the father of a teenage mother and one from the child of teenage parents. The project's intention is not to condemn, condone or romanticize teenage pregnancy in any way, but to explore the context of young pregnancy and parenting in our society. These photographs and stories are glimpses into much larger, complex lives. Each person carries a separate, very particular history. Whether the early pregnancy occurred in 1918 or today, it is a dramatic, life-changing event. Often it is the dividing line between childhood and becoming an adult. Teenage pregnancy can pull families apart, but it can also bring some families closer together. All of the participants in this project faced difficult choices at a young age. If not already married, will I marry the father or mother? Should I keep this child or have an abortion? Should I give my child up for adoption? How am I going to support this child? How will the pregnancy affect my family and friends? How is this pregnancy going to change my educational and career goals? Am I going to be a good parent? Most of the individuals I interviewed said that they wished they would have waited, but loved their children. The mothers and fathers I have interviewed and photographed have irrevocably changed the way I think about teen pregnancy and parenting today. I have found some families in difficult situations loving and caring for their children and working hard to improve their lives, while others seemed overwhelmed and unsure how to deal with the complexities of their situations. Hopefully a visitor to this exhibit will be able to listen to at least 8-12 stories to understand the range of experiences. This is a controversial topic which some people may approach with longstanding biases, prejudices, or easy generalizations. I urge you to look and listen with a generous mind. I have been deeply moved by all the individuals and families I've met. I thank each one of them for their courage to open their lives to us. Michael Nye
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