“When I was a teenager, I was a certainly a hell-raiser. It was hard wanting freedom so badly and not being old enough to feel like I could be free. So, I rebelled a lot to make a point to my parents that I wasn't going to let them hold me back from being who I wanted to be. Now they accept who I am because I figured out the balance of being me and not get into so much trouble”. Shannon 21, Boston 2010
“When I was thinking about my picture what was running through my head was how the models on my wall are the people I strive to look like whether I do subconsciously or not. And then I started asking myself why and how we define beauty, what is beautiful? And where am I on the scale of beauty in relation to the pictures on my wall? Am I good enough?” - Siena 17, Brookline MA, 2009
“My room was always a place independent of the world, geographically and temporally ambiguous, floating separate from the rest of my life and creating an architectural womb where I was most myself.” - Anna 18, Winchester MA 2009
“I adore my room! It has been tough for me being myself as a teenager in Lebanon because I like to party and have fun, and people were judging me unfairly and calling me a slut because I partied, stayed up late and wore mini-skirts. I got used to it and it just made me a stronger person, as I wanted to stay as I am: crazy, hyperactive and always ready to have fun.” Christilla 19, Rabieh Lebanon 2010
“I like doing regular things like hanging out with friends, watching movies, reading, etc. I am what you would call a girly girl. I LOVE hair makeup, clothes and boys. Sometimes I want to be treated like an adult and others like a 6 year old.” - Becca 19, Boston 2009
“I couldn't tell you if it is hard being a teenager because I don't have much experience not being a teenager. I think life is hard for a lot of people, regardless of their age or gender. I tend to take a somewhat Humanist perspective on such issues, and I don't feel especially self-aware. I am motivated by people who are unaffected and open-minded, and who can either articulate or create beautiful things.” Mimi 17, Winchester MA 2011
I've always hummed the dreams I thought I knew, Into the bright night sky, I've whistled my constantly nagging thoughts and felt time decide to rest for a while. I've followed the light I knew but couldn't see, I've swallowed it whole to feel its heat I've chased its glistening shadows down stream Until I stumbled and fell; but not in defeat. And the faces around me have stopped and smiled Because somehow they know I've tried They know I've tried and I know I always will So now it's my time to breath for a while. Becca G. 17, Winchester 2011
“Since all of my attempts at constructing a time machine have failed, I make do with surrounding myself with treasures of bygone eras, because this modern world is such a drag...because of the endless pollution, media prostitution, overpopulation and lack of motivation in this modern world.” Jess 20, Jamaica Plain 2010
“i found a heart shaped ex chocolate box filled with love letters at the top of my grandmum’s closet. my grandfather wrote to her every day in june 1938. they were letters & they were real & they were coated in handwriting & preserved & found again. it was a trace of love that was tangible. love like that doesn’t seem to exist anymore. i often wonder what remnants my grandchildren will find of my bazaar love affairs. text messages? emails? technology seems to hallow individuality & limit history. nothing is precious enough.” Ellice 20, Jamaica Plain 2010
“Overall I’d say its pretty difficult being a teenager. You go through so many changes as a teen and at times you feel like nobody understands you or knows what you’re going through. Then again it can also be some of the best years of your life. I don’t really know where I see myself in 10 years, all I know is I ultimately want to be happy and enjoy my life no matter where it takes me.” - Brittany 19, Boston 2010
“I keep my room simple and clean because that’s how I wish my life could be. There are so many things I wish I could simplify and most them are just out of my control. What I do have control of is how I live my life in my room. Its the little piece of me that’s peaceful.” - Ariel 17, Winchester MA 2009
“Of course it's hard being a teenager! You have to worry about about high school, college, boyfriends, friends, your appearance, parties, your parents... the list goes on. Not to mention that teenage boys have the maturity of a 9 year-old!” - Zoe 17, Newton MA 2009
“I loved my boyfriend but I love myself more and I realized I needed time for self-reflection. You can't truly be yourself with someone unless you can be yourself by yourself, and I am taking my own advice.” - Brianna 17, Winchester MA 2009
"Remember that the most beautiful things in the world are the most useless; peacocks and lilies for instance." -John Ruskin -Lilly 15, Brookline MA 2009
"I am 17 and I am pregnant with a baby boy. My parents were very upset initially but now they are being supportive. My mom has a hard time touching my tummy. My boyfriend and I broke up and I don’t want him to be part of the baby's life. I now have a new boyfriend who is going to love my baby." Rocio 17, Dorcester 2010
"Lebanon is not like other countries where girls can do whatever they want. Here the parents get very involved, all the time! My dad always worries about me from boys and doesn't like it if I wear very short skirts. I kind of have a boyfriend now. I met him on the internet but I still haven't really met him. I have had many boyfriends -- one that loved but we are not together anymore. I LOVE Justin Bieber and I wish I could meet him. It is my dream." Stephanie 15, Beirut
“My name is Alia, I just turned 19 and live in Beirut. My father is half Iraqi. My major is graphic design, and I design clothes as a hobby. Other hobbies include playing soccer, and modern dancing. I am proud of my strong faith in God. I am Muslim, I pray and fast, so religion is a valuable part of my life. But I also like to have balance in my life by not going too extreme. I have had chances to be in relationships but I am veryyy picky! I haven’t fallen in love yet, but its okay I have time hopefully! There is a time for everything. I do see my self with a husband and kids in around 10 years. Alia 19, Beirut
“I am an artist by nature, and it’s the beauty of human characteristics that inspire me to continue learning and perfecting my arts. It is hard to be a teenager, it is, but it’s also hard to be a child and it’s hard to be an adult and it’s hard to be elderly, but we all make it through." -Mara 15, Boston 2009
“My parents can't send me to school so I am studying alone for my exams to graduate high school. Afterwords I want to study in a Shari'ah school. I was once engaged but did not love him. I wanted to make it easier on my parents.” - Elham 18, Shatila Refugee Camp, Beirut 2009
“I live in a Palestinian refugee camp. Life is OK except that the wall blocks our lives. I am Muslim. I don't want to get veiled. My mom would like me to. She worries people will talk. For me my relationship with God is my own.” - Bisan 16, Bethlehem West Bank 2009
“In high school most of the troubles are with boys, parties and trying to sneak behind my parents’ backs to have “fun”. There are all these new things presented to you that you want to try, and even when you know you shouldn’t, that just makes you want them more. This odd sense of rebellion that I felt I almost couldn’t control.” -Maddie-Chloe 16, Cornwall NY 2010
“I prefer the glamour of garter belts and nylons to modern pantyhose or bare legs, and as I am coming to understand my identity and role as a woman, I am fascinated with retro ideas of femininity and sexuality (which can be attested to by my overwhelming collection of Playboys). I can't live my life in these decades past, so I express my love of the past in the way I dress and wear my hair. This gives me satisfaction enough and makes me feel a little more comfortable living in 2010.” Kate 20, Boston 2010
“It is hard being a teen emotionally; your hormones are awry, you're dealing with adult situations, but you're not quite an adult yet, and you just want to be treated like you're not a child because you aren't really one anymore. Dad doesn't really find these changes to be as endearing but rather scary and he becomes overly protective.” Danielle 19, Jamaica Plain 2010
“I stopped going to school in 7th grade. I then went to a technical school and learned hairdressing, but I don’t want to work. I help my mom at home, then when I am done, I watch TV and drink Nescafe. I am engaged and getting married next year. I don’t love him. He asked for my hand and I said yes. I will learn to love him. He is nice with me. I will get veiled when I get married.” Hiba 16, Bourj El Barajneh Refugee Camp, Beirut
“Sail away with me... dance and sing with me... come exploring with me... bring the arts and crafts... photograph this moment... draw it in the sand... play the music louder... all the lyrics we'll never understand. I don't think we love enough.” - Devin 18, Winchester MA 2009
“My life has been super complicated. My parents got divorced when I was 2. I lived with my dad in Las Vegas till I was 14 surrounded by strippers and girlfriends. My dad was an alcoholic and my mom had a drug problem and went to jail. That whole time I was never really taught how to write a good paper in school or read. I don't know really what to write about myself to reflect a picture; it's really hard to do.” - Krystal 17, Boston 2009
“I don’t go to a regular high school. I used to but I had to stop. I had a lot of problems and had to be hospitalized a few times. I used to have an eating disorder and I used to cut myself. I still have all the cut marks on my forearms. I now like looking at them because it reminds me all the time that I was able to conquer all my issues.” Izzy 18, Brookline 2011
“Growing up one of my biggest role model has been my Dad. He is someone I will always admire because of his kind personality, always reaching out to everyone and always there to support me in everything I do. I would describe myself as joyful, passionate, and athletic.” - Chapin 14, Dedham MA 2009
“I DON’T HAVE A ROLE MODEL. IT’S ALL UP TO YOU HOW BRIGHT A DAY TOMORROW CAN BE.” - Ai 19, Boston 2009
“I like to read, lounge, scooter, walk, bike around town, dance, skinny dip in public ponds at night, eat ice cream, snuggle with my diggity dogs , go to yoga, watch the trains, look out my window, procrastinate, be impulsive, and make pottery.” - Emma 17, Brookline 2008
“I live right by the wall and around the soldiers. The political situation is very disturbing. I like it when I am alone because I am always surrounded with people at my home. My father has 2 wives and between them there are 12 children. In 10 years I hope to become a doctor, be married, have kids and live in Palestine.” Shifa’a 14, Jerusalem 2009
“I'm from Ivory Coast, I'm Lebanese, I study in London. I study womenswear, I don't know why I'm always ashamed to write it or say it. I love art. My dream is to actually give art, teach art, learn art and live by it. I've never been in love with somebody that was in love with me, only with people who never knew i did. Nude is my favorite color. I love to think and write. I wish I could record my thoughts like they were actual voices, or film scenes that i create in my mind. Sometimes I tell myself that it's better to imagine what I think rather than put my thoughts on paper, but in the end when we imagine it fades in instants, so every instant takes my thought, whether the paper conserves it. My mind never stops talking. I walk past so many different people every day. Sometimes we have the impression that strangers are inexistent, however we are strangers to these strangers too. When my mind said that I became more sociable because i was always so interested to learn a person.” Reem19, Doha Lebanon 2010
“The value I find in religion comes from tradition and spending time with your family. Being Jewish I feel like I have a responsibility to carry on such qualities that define a good person: generosity, kindness to all, an inquisitive attitude and a hunger to learn.” - Emma 19, Brookline MA 2009
