CONVERSATIONS WITH TEEN MUMS - SALOTE

Auckland filmmaker Juliette Veber began her just-launched website documentary project Conversations with Teen Mums with the aim of challenging the stereotypes of young mums. 

The project began in 2013, when Veber noticed a New York City advertising campaign shaming teen mums. It included slogans like, ‘Because of you mommy, I’m less likely to get a college degree’.

Veber recalls, ‘I found it offensive. I wondered what it would be like to be a pregnant teen or a young mum reading a campaign filled with negative stereotypes and lacking in any kind of hope or encouragement’.

Over four years Veber documented the lives of 16 young mums, sharing their stories, perspectives and experiences in photos, text and film on the website.

‘I looked for subjects who aimed to get off the benefit and into work. Young mums with hopes and dreams, who wanted to offer their children opportunities and choices in life.’

‘The project is not about glamorising teen pregnancy. By depicting the joy and the struggle, I hope this project provides an insight into the young women’s lives, revealing their resilience and determination to succeed for themselves and their children.’

Below is an excerpt from the Conversations with Teen Mums featuring Salote and some of her story.

 See more at www.conversations.co.nz

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SALOTE 

In intermediate, my mum was worried cause I was going out a lot and I'd lie about where I am and stuff. I think that’s how it all started. Especially like at 13, you know, not coming home until like late at night. My mum, she'd cry all the time but that's only because when I was little we were so close, you know? 

We were both 15. I wasn’t ashamed. I did feel bad like, 'Oh, I'm pregnant at 15', and all that stuff but I thought it was like a way of me getting my life sorted. I wasn’t a bad girl. I just did stupid stuff. Like I'd just do whatever I want and having a child was the only way for me to grow up and stuff. 

The only reason I wasn’t excited was cause everyone was telling me to abort it. My dad was the last person I told and he was the only one to tell me to keep it, so I did. I think my mum didn’t want me to struggle, to leave school and look after a child at this age. She just wanted me to grow up first. My mum still sees me as a kid. Like even today when I have a kid. 

My mum tells me every day you have to struggle.  Like she always tells me I have to trust my struggle. I never understood it when I was little. I didn’t even think it made sense but I get it now. You just gotta hang in there and keep going and things will get there. 

Read Salotes full story here