What does 18-year-old girlhood look like around the world? We asked young women photographers to show us.
October 11, 2018
Dear members of the FFC,
It’s been a minute! We’re popping into your inbox to let you know about a special project we’ve been working on over at The New York Times.
For International Day of the Girl, we wanted to show what life is like for 18-year-old girls across oceans and cultures: from Mexico to Mississippi, Ramallah to Russia, Bangladesh to the Bronx. So we gave young women photographers in nearly two dozen countries an assignment: show us what 18 looks like in your community. The result is #ThisIs18 — a celebration of girlhood around the world.
"Honestly, I don't think that age is the true indicator of whether a person is an adult or not.” –– Shenzhi, Chengdu, China (Photographed by Luxi Yang)
"I think you need to explore the opportunities around you, don't settle for the usual." –– Millie, Melbourne, Australia (Photographed by Eremaya Albrecht)
“Good food and lit friends, that's my recipe for a healthy life.” –– Victory, Lagos, Nigeria (Photographed by Amarachi Chukwuma)
"I love ancient Iran, and forgetting customs and practices makes me feel concerned." –– Liana, Bushehr, Iran (Photographed by Atefe Moeini)
"There's a difference between being a grown-up and feeling grown-up." –– Ruby, London, U.K. (Photographed by Georgia Canning)
Share a photo of yourself at 18!
Yup that's me, FFC author and New York Times gender editor Jessica Bennett (along with my twin brothers) at age 18 in Seattle, WA, looking angsty af. What would I tell that girl in the photo? Probably to stop taking herself so seriously!
What would YOU tell your 18-year-old self? Post your best TBT with some advice and the hashtag #ThisIs18 and follow along on Instagram (@nytgenderand @feministfightclub) as we repost our faves!
