Growing up involves a lot of confusion and angst. Everyone feels the need to fit in with his peers, and at no time is it more apparent than in the teens. Once a common thread is found it grows and pulls a group closer, bonding them. Sometimes these bonds are a shared love, and other times a shared hatred
Matthew, 16, Dillon, 17, and Dakota R., 15, live within a few blocks of each other in Bowling Green, Ky. They have all been in trouble in school and at home for things such as threats, fighting, and possessing weapons. They spend days outside playing with other neighborhood kids.
Matthew and Dillon wrestle in front of another friend’s house. The boys are all sons of blue-collar workers, and aspire to do the same type of work as adults. As a young child Dillon was jumped by a group of black men, leaving his chest convex for the rest of his life, he said.
Dillon looks in the window of Dakota J.’s house, which is down the street from Matthew's.
Dakota J., 15, is Matthew’s cousin.
Matthew hugs his grandmother, Irene, 70. As a result of custody battles with Matthew’s parents Irene was asked to care for him as a last resort before being put in a group home.
Matthew walks through Dakota J.’s room, which is adorned with rebel flags. Dakota J. brags that he won’t allow black people to be his friend on Facebook.
The other boys drew a swastika on Dakota R.’s forehead. He was forced to wash it off the next morning when he went to school at the alternative school on 11th street.
Irene says taking care of Matthew and watching over the other boys as they play in the neighborhood is a full-time job for her at the age of 70.
Matthew, 16, Dillon, 17, and Dakota R., 15, live within a few blocks of each other in Bowling Green, Ky. They have all been in trouble in school and at home for things such as threats, fighting, and possessing weapons. They spend days outside playing with other neighborhood kids.
Matthew and Dillon wrestle in front of another friend’s house. The boys are all sons of blue-collar workers, and aspire to do the same type of work as adults. As a young child Dillon was jumped by a group of black men, leaving his chest convex for the rest of his life, he said.
Dillon looks in the window of Dakota J.’s house, which is down the street from Matthew's.
Dakota J., 15, is Matthew’s cousin.
Matthew hugs his grandmother, Irene, 70. As a result of custody battles with Matthew’s parents Irene was asked to care for him as a last resort before being put in a group home.
Matthew walks through Dakota J.’s room, which is adorned with rebel flags. Dakota J. brags that he won’t allow black people to be his friend on Facebook.
The other boys drew a swastika on Dakota R.’s forehead. He was forced to wash it off the next morning when he went to school at the alternative school on 11th street.
Irene says taking care of Matthew and watching over the other boys as they play in the neighborhood is a full-time job for her at the age of 70.
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