The artist first became aware of the issues surrounding the sexualisation of young people when she carried out work experience in a primary school, and on a daily basis saw 7 year olds turn up wearing makeup, jewellery and wearing high heels. The visual world that we live in is pushing children in to a world where growing up is something that has to be done quickly, and before they hold the mental capability of understanding the consequences of their sexual behavior.

This work is a study into a member of the artist’s family, whose girlfriend fell pregnant at the age of 16, and their and their surrounding family’s reactions to the situation. Although at the age of 16 Sian will face no more risk in carrying a baby then someone outside their teens, the risk is most likely to come from socioeconomic factors, is she emotionally and cognitively ready to have a baby? Girl’s menstruation begins on average at the age of twelve; however, this age has dramatically lowered from the average age of seventeen, one hundred years ago. Our bodies are maturing quicker, because our diets have changed, but our minds have not. Having spent time with the couple the artist has come to realize that they are in no way worried or scared about what is happening, and the situation seems completely magnificent to them, with no concerns about money or the prospect of parenthood. The artist asks you to wonder if this is related to an educational insufficiency, and that they don’t fully understand the complications of being parents, or if they are being controlled by their social states, as lower class, long term unemployed citizens, and this is just an expected situation to end up in.

This work represents the expectations and pressures placed on young people in today’s society, as well as the stigma attached to teenage parents, which the baby will carry through its whole life.

I think they planned for this baby