TEENography: Ethnography on teenagers, by teenagers
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What happens when studies on teenagers come from teenagers themselves, rather than adults? What insights emerge – or are clarified – when teenagers are placed as central analysts in their own lives?
These questions guide the work of the Museum of Contemporary American Teenagers (MoCAT). Started in 2017 by David Lopilato, anthropology teacher at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School in Bethesda, Maryland, MoCAT serves as a structure in which students can get anthropological training, spearhead full lifecycle research projects, take on leadership roles, manage and design exhibitions, grow partnerships with major institutions, and share their work through in-person and virtual channels.
In this episode, listeners will hear from David and three of his students, Amanda, Shoronya, and Simone, on the theory and importance of this work, topics they’re currently exploring, and their past and forthcoming projects. They discuss the teenager as a concept, social media, art, fear of failure, anthropological careers, and more.
Visit and support MoCAT's work here: https://www.mocatpopup.org/