Teen Mom Research Paper

Teen pregnancy is a subject easily made into a reality show as it makes viewers feel morally superior—we are made to believe that young mothers are “unstable, weak and selfish” (Friedman) and that these women’s struggles are just the ‘consequences’ of their promiscuous behaviour. Shows like 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom aim to engage an audience by showing them what poor choices (i.e. sexual activity) and the events that follow these choices look like. They also attempt to be an example for young, impressionable viewers, constantly reiterating that teen pregnancy is “100% preventable”. However, the morals behind these TV shows seem to be partisan, intentionally failing to mention every side of the story. The reason that these reality shows are able to thrive is because they agree with the misogynistic moral perspectives held by

Many studies show that MTV’s “16 and Pregnant” led to fewer teen births. It is thought to be that when teens tune into the show, they learn to practice safer sex. “16 and Pregnant” was named one of the best ways to campaign about the issue of teen pregnancy. The show was a way to attack the issue of teen pregnancy head on. Comparing to all fully developed countries, the U.S, has the highest rates of teen pregnancy. This was seen as a major problem to many that was aware of the problem. Even though the number of teen pregnancies was high, there was nothing really being done to expose the harsh reality of being a teen mom. Lauren Dolgen, President of MTV’s series development, felt as if the situation needed to be addressed. Her goal was to give teen moms out there a chance to have a voice and to tell their stories.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 86 percent of mothers who give birth out-of-wedlock are teenagers. MTV’s show “16 & Pregnant,” which has only been on air since June 2009, is already reflecting the rapid boom in teenage pregnancy across various cities in America. Since the early eighties MTV has been considered somewhat of a cultural phenomenon for American adolescents and its depiction of gender has a strong impact that continues to this day (Holtzman 2000). Created by Morgan J. Freeman (director of teen shows Dawson’s Creek and Laguna Beach), the show “16 & Pregnant” has been said to be guilty of exacerbating, normalizing and even glorifying teen pregnancy. Perhaps, it’s just reflecting a current social dilemma

The television show “Teen Mom” is a great example of the impact teen pregnancy has made on our society. The show follows teen mothers to display the hardship of teen motherhood. Although the goal of the show was to prevent teen pregnancy, like any other show the producers altered the show to gain viewers. The show added messages of love stories and success stories. The change in the show created a false image of teen motherhood.

“A study conducted by Professors Melissa Kearney of the University of Maryland and Phillip Levine of Wellesley College released early this year, finds that the MTV “Teen Mom” franchise did far more good than harm. Using data from Google Trends, Twitter, Nielsen ratings and Vital Statistics birth data, Professors Kearney and Levine found that teens who watch “16 and Pregnant” immediately go online to search for (and tweet about) birth control and abortion.” Thus shows that teens are scared and want to take precautions about this serious topic. These teens take this show serious and don't take

It is believed that teens who watch shows with people around the same age, who have kids, do not see the difficulties of a teen pregnancy. MTV has aired multiple shows of daily lives of the young moms. Numerous surveys have been given to teenagers to see how they view TV shows like “16 and Pregnant”, or “Teen Mom’, the results show that the teens see an unrealistic view of teen pregnancies and how they work.

Being a teen mother is not as hard as most people will think it to be. Its really what you make of being a teen mother for it to be hard. If you put a lot of things on yourself at once then yes its kinda hard and frustrating. Any teen mother can do just as good as an adult how because I know. I’m a young mother who’s doing good by myself and my son. I have my own house and car. Working for my high school diploma also trying to find a job. I mean It’s not easy but it’s also not hard. Even if it’s hard on someone behalf doesn't mean its going to be hard on everyone else. All children are blessings no matter how old the mother or father may be. The things that come with being a parent makes it all worth. Teen parenting

Growing up, I lived in the same small town of Great Bend, Kansas. I was raised by my amazing mother, Brandi who also happens to be my best friend. She is one of the strongest women I have ever met. She was a teen mom, a single parent, and has dealt with more than I could ever imagine. When she was just sixteen, she had my older brother Kamren. Just fifteen short months later she had me. I could not fathom what it must have been like for her to have two kids at that age and continue her education. She went to college and got her degree in respiratory therapy. She worked for almost seventeen years as a repertory therapist. When I was a senior in high school the hospital she worked at since I was little closed down. She now works as the home

I’m here to argue why the show “Teen Mom,” is negatively influencing today's younger generation. Teenage pregnancy is pregnancy in females under the age of 20. It has become so common in our society today. Younger generations are beginning to label it as “normal” or “acceptable”. This is not an issue that society should take lightly, just because it continues to happen so often. Although many look down on teenage pregnancy, some believe it can be positive. A study done by “Teenage Parenthood”, argues that many teenage mothers are motivated to turn their lives around to provide for their children. The study states that people focus their attention on attacking the mother and father, rather than looking at the pro’s of the situation. I believe that teens should be smarter about the decisions they make, so that special precautions don’t have to be taken by the people around them.

Teen Mom II is the second incarnation of MTV's number one rated reality series 16 and Pregnant. The show documents the lives of four teenage mothers as they struggle to cope with the burden of childrearing in a financially demanding society while trying to navigate through the journey of adolescence. Once catering to a music oriented teenage consumer, MTV has reinvented itself as a teen reality television powerhouse, with many of its reality shows, including Teen Mom II, consistently dominating in the ratings. Although advertisers eagerly race to gain the attention of the much sought after 18-49 demographic, critics question the stereotypes that may be reinforced through the television program and the negative sociological effects, the

How many schools offer programs to teen parents? According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board, they do not offer any programs for teen parents. Not having any programs can be hard on the parent because they will not have the support they need to help them graduate on time. The teen parent will drop out and will depend on getting their GED later on in their lives.

The number of teen pregnancies keeps getting higher and higher as the years go by. According to the Alan Guttmacher Institute, nearly 800,000 women under the age of 20 have gotten pregnant. Although it has declined, the rate of teen pregnancies in the United States is the highest of all the nations. It is degraded by society in most places and there is a stereotype that those who become pregnant always drop out of school and ruin their future and career goals. In some places people think it would be better for teen moms to not go back to school. Teen moms have the right to an education just like everybody else. Although it is hard for teens to keep getting an education and pursuing a career, it should still be an option and can be done with

In 2008 the popular MTV series 16 and Pregnant aired which followed young girls who got pregnant during high-school. The show followed teens throughout their pregnancy and into the first week or so of having the child. The show was successful in a sense that teen pregnancies dropped and continue to drop, however this show created a societal message that glorifies teen pregnancy through its sequel Teen Mom. Throughout this essay I will show how the series fails to show the negative impacts teen pregnancies have on their family system, the UA research in Missouri on this matter, the general view of teen pregnancy and my recommendation for how to silence the true societal message the show gives in hopes that the MTV producers will take my recommendation

In 2009, MTV introduced a show called “16 and pregnant” produced by Morgan J. Freeman. MTV also, came out with a spinoff series called Teen Mom also produced by Morgan J. Freeman. When the these shows first aired many parents were concerned with their young teens watching the show. Parents were hesitant to allow their children to view such a show and questions arose. Were these shows going to encourage teens to have sex at such a young age or would it even create the idea that they should be having kids at a young age? It is believed that the teens on the show are “glamorized” for having babies as teens. This however, is not a true statement. MTV is

           While teenage pregnancy has been on the rise in America since the 1950’s, researchers have been trying to look for an ideal solution that will help solve the problem by declining teenage birth rates. Perhaps there is a potential solution after all. What could this solution possibly be? Well, it might be as simple as the reality shows “16 and Pregnant” and “Teen Mom” on the MTV network. Ever since airing in 2009, the shows “16 and Pregnant” and “Teen Mom” have made a positive impact on teenage girls in America by reducing teenage pregnancy, promoting birth control, and influencing teenage girls by teaching them lessons.