Female adolescence through the eyes of teenage girls for a teenage-girl audience. This empowering volume introduces the reader to an insider’s view of teenage girlhood. Through their participation in The Girl Project-created in 2007 by Kate Engelbrecht to explore the personal realities of modern female adolescence-teenage girls contributed intimate, heartwarming, diarylike text entries and photographs that capture their personal and private moments. To date, over 5,000 girls between the ages of 13 and 18 have sent in photographs, along with anonymously completed questionnaires that communicate their view of themselves and the world around them. This collection of images and text details the private and personal lives of adolescents, which together reveal an amazing narrative communicated as only teenage girls know and understand. The girls touch upon universal issues, such as their struggles with self-confidence and body image, relationships with peers and family, and their dissatisfaction with how they are presented by the media and in popular culture.
Teen readers will be rewarded with a wonderful set of sincere, deep messages and the reassurance that they are not alone.
My Take on the Book
Kate Engelbrecht holds a BA in sociology. She began the Kate Engelbrecht Photography in New York City. Her project in 2007 was to reach out to girls across the country. She sent 5000 cameras and questionnaires to girls between the ages of 13-18. The girls responded with film and entries which she shares in this book.
From the photos and the entries , Kate as able to show the struggles with self confidence and body image, the girls' relationships with peers and family, and their dissatisfaction with how they are represented in the media.
This is a photographic , as well as a journal book. It will be a challenge to relate to you the content as it encompasses so many facets and emotions, however I will attempt to do that now.
The journals portray young women who were concerned about their body image, about being loved for who they are, and being able to express themselves in the world for who they want to be and not who society wants them to be. It was interesting to read the girls descriptions of themselves: they can say they are strong, sarcastic, and funny , but then they can show themselves as quiet, compassionate, and shy. Often the brave in outward appearances are really frightened on the inside.
The photos showed young women from all areas of the country, religious backgrounds, and cultures. Sad ,happy, fashion conscious , silly, scared, and those who showed the lack of confidence in ever being enough in the eyes of the world. So many sad entries of young women who felt they could never be beautiful enough or do enough for the people around them so they would love them as they are .So many of the young girls concerned with their weight, looks, clothes, rather than the beauty that they are and in who they are already.
This book should be shared with parents,counselors, religious leaders, scout leaders, medical professionals, anyone who can be connected with young women. We need to help them see and feel how special they are , just as they are. We need to help them celebrate their uniqueness, talents and the contributions they are making to their world. Our society needs to stop the negative comments and expectations we put on young women today. Once we do this we will be able to raise and praise mentally, emotionally, and physically healthy young women. We need to cherish them.
How do we do this? It begins today with the conversations you have with a young woman in your life. You can be the catalyst for the change . You never know where you influence will begin and end.
All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.
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