As a retired female photographer who was exhibited in the 1970s with other female photographers and who is the grandmother of two young women in this age bracket, I found this project fascinating. I'd be interested to learn if the photographers used cameras or their phones. Maybe the editors could add a sidebar or comment to each image with some of the technical specs. And yes, I'd love a parallel project with young men.
@JJenn Hi! I am TiKa, one of the American photographers.
Some of us used our own cameras, cell phones, or borrowed cameras. It was a mix all around.
This is a phenomenal project that is riveting. Will a compilation be published in the form a book?
4
Note to all saying "where are the boys?" Front and center 98% of the time. THIS is why this piece is needed. Funny how dominant groups see any kind of sharing of space/power as "oppression."
6
@Jen in Astoria No, what you say is not true in First World Countries. The pendulum has swung way too far. From Disney princesses to the "Fearless Girl" statue on Wall Street to the performance of boys falling way behind the performance of girls in school--while their female teachers regard them as defective girls and while doctors constantly misdiagnose simple boyishness as ADHD and mis-drug them accordingly-- to nursery schools in Sweden which actively seek to psychologically emasculate boys by forcing them to play house with dolls while girls are forced to play with toy trucks, the War Against Boys is being waged with devastating effect. A female-driven elementary education system in the U.S. and other First World countries feeds constant reinforcement and encouragement to girls while neglecting boys at best or scolding them just for being boys at worst. Boys in America are in crisis and all the performance statistics prove it. Our boys desperately need positive role models of manly strength, courage, and honorable behavior but our female dominated elementary education system regards "manly strength, courage, and honorable behavior" as a ludicrous joke. American television comedies routinely depict dads as bumbling buffoons. Meanwhile American pop culture exalts females usurping manly strength, courage, and honorable behavior by the likes of Lara Croft and Katniss Everdeen. I applaud girls being encouraged to achieve, but, kicking boys to the curb must cease.
2
I loved the pictures and the stories. It is an incredible idea to have young women do this.
Thank you NYT
6
So wonderful. Thank you.
2
Excellent...I love the common values, universal but so modern....I love the common yearnings...I love the propulsion, for most, forward...I love the optimism...and I love the mothers at the center most of all. Do I have a favorite? Well, yes, I hail from the Bronx so....
2
@John McMahon
I hail from the Bronx too and have the same favorite. Best wishes to Ms Chinedo.
1
This is great. I forwarded to all my grandaughters and friends who have teenage girls
2
Thank you x 3 for publishing this project, and for delivering a story that brings all of us closer, rather than dividing us.
2
Why are we reviewing an article about 18 year old "girls" only? What about boys?
5
love this. and well done on the mobile version ♥️
2
Awesome awesome CREATIVE digital work. Nice job!
2
Thanks
Really great project.
1
This is an editorial only the NYT can produce. I am excited to share this piece with my students in college to know their opinion and to open their eyes that they are part of a huge system.
Everyday I read this newspaper in order to share some important events we review in class and let me tell you it is thrilling to wake up in the morning reading the published works.
Congratulations!!!
4
What about boys?
5
Excellent !!
More Please !
2
Great project! Interesting read. NYT/gender should do one with 18 year old boys now using the same methods for comparison.
Maybe do a Transgender one too.
That would be fascinating. Thanks
11
This is a really nice article.
I'm curious: When will the paired article, "Meet the Young Male Photographers Who Documented 18-Year-Old Males" be forthcoming. I'm also eager to see the results of the request to "Help Us Celebrate Boyhood Around the World"
6
I LOVE this project. ‘Showing it to my 12 and 11 year old daughters. Fantastic - thank you!
7
YES!! if women are truly to be seen as full human beings, worthy of interest, respect, equal pay and opportunity--they must be seen in the media, and represented accurately. Who better to do that than women themselves? this was a wonderful feature, and yes...more articles about women's experiences, by women. thank you
14
Simply wonderful! Thank you!
7
I loved this so much. More features on amazing young women please!
7
Kudos to the producers, photographers and participants of this story, for this opportunity to experience the lives of young women, through their eyes, on their terms. Just when I think the Times can’t get any better, a story like this comes along, and makes me proud to be a subscriber.
I would love to see these photos in an exhibition, and I’d be willing to make a small donation to help make it happen.
19
As far as I see, omitted from this project are the many, many girls who turned 18 in Puerto Rico since their lives were devastated over a year ago by Hurricane Maria. Or those whose whose lives who effectively became refugees for the foreseeable future after Hurricane Florence upended their lives in the Carolinas. Or who turned 18 in a refugee camp in Europe, or a tent-city detention center in southern Texas. Etc. Etc.
It would give a more balanced picture to include these girls, who are reaching adulthood in obscurity and under hardships few of us who enjoy the luxury of reading the NYT online can imagine.
8
@Dan88 Dan, the NY Times can't do all for all simultaneously, but I'll bet the editors are reading these comments and may act on your suggestion.
2
Very nice. But why was this limited to girls?
10
@Naysayer Because the theme was 18 year old girls.
9
The photography assignment to 18-year students is an opportunity to view life from different spectrum. It will surely add meaning to their observation.
5
Would a Times headline say 18 year old "boys"?
13
@Sh It is a fair point that you are making. But the article/project is treating girls who are “turning 18” this year, i.e., the intersection between childhood and adulthood. So imho the back and forth between “girl” and “women” in the reporting is forgivable considering the subject being treated. Maybe they should have settled on “young women” throughout.
2
Not sure. Is it an insult to call 18 year old women "girls"?
Would 18 year old males find it insulting to be called boys?
It was likely debated by the editor.
Girls likely attracts more attention to the article. Though not in a necessarily good way.
Either way, the article and project were well done!
2
Thanks for this article explaining the process behind the documentary. The documentary felt like authentic snap shots/diaries into those young women's lives. Creations like these is why I keep subscribing to NYT. I applaud NYTs global and generous outlook of the world.
10