ABC News-Teen mom
Last Friday, a couple questions were asked if Teen Mom/16 & Pregnant glamorizes teen pregnancy. The article mentions Janelle's group of friends. Is it just simply a coincidence that not one, not two, but THREE of her friends also got pregnant?! One girl claims that it was a "series of bad decisions" but I don't know if I believe that. To see your close friend go through all the struggles of being a teen mom and not even having the father help out in any way, would definitely make me think twice before engaging in unprotected sex. Do you think Janelle's recent fame in Teen Mom has an impact on any or all three of these girls becoming pregnant? Why do you think our culture seems to be so obsessed with teens getting pregnant? Like Dr. Levkoff states we have so many shows that just revolve around teen pregnancy that it feels like it's becoming so typical instead of standing out.
When she mentions the teen fathers getting a bad reputation and that they should be more upset because they are portrayed in such a negative light, do you think this is true? I am an avid watcher of 16 & Pregnant and Teen Mom 1 &2, and it doesn't seem to differ in many of the episodes. The parents fight an extreme amount or the father is not in the picture at all. I understand that MTV cuts and pastes the "real" story into the image they want, but I don't feel like they would make ALL the fathers seem like they aren't around. It seems to be what really goes on....or does it? As I was looking for some proof of teen fathers involvement, I came across this article. Teen Fathers Why do you think MTV doesn't mention that there are some teen fathers willing to step up and help?
~Sarah J.
I agree most fathers in 16 & pregnant and Teen Mom are rarely around or absent all together. I think there are a few exceptions like Tyler & Caitlyn. I believe he has been the most supportive to both his girlfriend/fiance and the Carley. And this season with Corey and Leah. At first they had some relationship issues but they came together when they found out that one of their daughters had health issues. They are now living together and going to be engaged soon. The other fathers seem to come and go as they want. I also believe that a father can be very involved in a child's life without being in a relationship with the mother. I think many young dads don't know how to care for or provide for a child or a family. The maturity for young men quite there for 16-18 yr. olds. Since the primary responsibility does not lie within them I think they try to run from or escape the problem a little. I think 16 & Pregnant and Teen Mom season 2 does glamorize teen pregnancy more than season 1. This season they have more publicity and drama. I also think there are positives and negatives to the show. I am interested in what long term effects if any the show has on teens who watch the show.
ReplyDelete-Nicole A.
While I am sure there are some teens who are getting pregnant because of Teen Mom, I doubt that had anything to do with Janelle's friends. When I think of who I am friends with, a lot of it has to do with the people that I am most similar to in terms of values, morals, and our upbringing. I am sure Janelle is the same way. I doubt her friends are people who regularly use protection, regardless of Teen Mom fame or the flip side of seeing Janelle's struggles. Also, Janelle is portrayed as more of a party girl, and as we know, your inhibitions are lowered when alcohol or drugs are involved. This could also be part of the reason her friends have wound up pregnant.
ReplyDeleteAs far as teen fathers go, I think MTV portrays them fairly accurately. The statistics that we learned through our readers were that 8 in 10 teen fathers do not marry the mother of their baby, and most do not even keep a relationship with her. While this does not mean that the father is totally out of the baby's life, it does mean they see the baby less often and are probably less involved. MTV shows fathers every few episodes who stay involved in the child's life and the rare occasion they show a relationship with the mother working out. While this doesn't line up with the statistics of the one study, I think it is still an accurate depiction based on everything else I have learned.
-Megan A.
I think that MTV doesn't mention that there are some teen fathers willing to step up and help because responsible teenage fathers are rare. MTV is trying to depict "reality" and show the struggles teen pregnancy brings. It would be misleading to teens about how teen pregnancy really is. I feel that if MTV depicted more responsible teen dads, I think pregnancy rates would rise. To some girls, 16 and pregnant is glamourous. With "good" dads on the show, it would appeal to those girls who are contemplating having a baby.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that Janelle's friend got pregnant on purpose. Janelle is depicted as a rebel by staying out all night and partying. If Janelle's friends are at all like her, it makes sense as to why they got pregnant.
-Mary Kate B.
I think that 16 and Pregnant glamorizes pregnancy in many ways. It makes it seem that once a girl is pregnant the only issues that she will face are fights with her boyfriend and that they won't be able to hang out with friends as much as they would like. While I know that each episode may show different obstacles that a particular girl may go through, like Kaitlyn having to live with Joe's parents because her mother was unstable. But even that is kind of realistic. They make young girls think that if they have nowhere to go their "well-to-do" boyfriend's family will be there to take them in...this rarely the case. I think that this show and shows like it would be more beneficial if it actually showed young girls the real trials of teen pregnancy: poverty, homelessness, lack of or deferred education..and the list goes on. I think 16 and pregnant paints a unrealistic picture for teen girls.
ReplyDelete-Jalissa B.