TV And Teen Pregnancy

Improved Essays
Popular shows on television networks such as “MTV” can have a great impact on a young person’s life. Displaying the “Real Life” situations such as the every growing popular show “16 and Pregnant”. This show documenting your women’s lives as they come to a close on their unexpected pregnancies and the delivery of their new lives. Making teen pregnancy look glamorous and fun. Putting a mask on the real issue. The purpose of the television show was to prevent teen pregnancy, further more, painting a perfect picture of how little the lives of these young girls have changed. However, making teen pregnancy look fun/easy, glamorous and not life changing is nothing but deceiving. “Mom I’m pregnant!” are the worst words that should make any mother happy—when the time is right—to hear their daughter(s) say. These are the worst words that any parent wants to hear from the little girl, whom is between the ages of fourteen and eighteen. Seeing the shows on television; for example, “16 and Pregnant”, have made being a teen mother look fun and easy. These young girls want a—live—baby doll to play with and dress up. According to the New York Times, “shows like “16 and Pregnant” might have influenced teenagers’ behavior”. Showing these young people that teen pregnancy looks easy is the wrong answer. Television is showing them that they can have it all while being a teen parent. Focusing on more of the “reality” of being a teen parent instead of the proper way to prevent teen pregnancy. Most teens feel that they can take care of a baby, providing all of its needs. Further more, making the lives of these young women who are documented by MTV in “16 and Pregnant” look as if it is glamorous is treachery. According to the New York Times, “… critics who say they glamorize teenage parenthood – especially since many of the mothers have become celebrities as a result of the show.” This can make teen more likely to become pregnant in hopes of being on the show and becoming famous. According to EnStars, “Amber Portwood, she and her season one co-stars of 16 & Pregnant, including Maci Bookout, Catelynn Lowell and Farrah Abraham, got just $5,000 for appearing on the MTV reality series.” This amount of money—$5,000—can only buy so much for a new baby. Once that money runs out then what is a new mother going to do; who is in high school, who lives at home with mom and/or dad who does not have an established career. There is not much that a teen mother can do, with out the support and help of others. However, …show more content…
The television programmers claim that this type of show was to help reduce teenage pregnancy. Although, this is not the case. Teen pregnancy is still on the rise. According to the CDC, “In 2014, a total of 249,078 babies were born to women aged 15–19 years”. This is a shocking number of babies born to young mothers. This can be prevented, by the teaching and talks with parents. The parents knowing where their children are and making sure that they are practicing safe sex, if they are having sex. As MTV stated at the end of the show “16 & Pregnant” “TEEN PREGNACY IS 100%

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