As I continued throughout the season, and yes I watched the whole entire season, I noticed a common theme between all but one of the 16 year old mothers: none of them actually seemed to be distressed about becoming a teen mother. They were all so calm and collected, as if carrying something inside of you for 9 months was a walk in the park. I was honestly disturbed by not only the concept of the show, but also the attitudes of the mothers-to-be. This disturbed feeling got me thinking; What if none of them are acting distressed, because none of them really were distressed? I mean, being a teen mother sounds pretty nerve racking and scary to me, however these girls were also being filmed by MTV throughout their journey. So maybe being on T.V. calms your nerves?
After giving it a good amount of thought and watching the reunion show of all the 16 year old mothers, I realized maybe that's exactly what it was. Being on television seems like a pretty glamorous thing to me, so I guess regardless of the reasoning for it, if you're on T.V. you're technically a star...or at least in the spotlight. Not only did 16 and Pregnant return for a second (and fifth season), but some of the "stars" from the first season of 16 and Pregnant were offered a spot on the ever so lovely spin-off show, "Teen Mom." Not thinking this is glamorous yet? Well, these girls were not only offered another spot on MTV's line up, but many of them were featured in popular magazines such as People, US, and OK!
For me, this all seemed too glamorous, almost as if the media was encouraging the idea of becoming a teen mother. I'm not saying that being a teen mother is a terrible thing that no one can handle, however I feel that MTV has promoted this idea that if you get pregnant at 16, it's totally okay because you'll be featured on not one, but two T.V. shows to sweeten the deal for you. It's unrealistic, unhealthy, and unfair for the youths of today who genuinely look up to the shows MTV produces.
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| This was the very first "16 and Pregnant" star, Maci. Notice how this cover isn't even focusing on her child, but rather the relationship she's in. |
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| This is the same "16 and Pregnant" star, Maci, however this time, she's giving her child's father a second chance at a relationship. Again, this barely focuses on the reason she's famous; her child. |
I completely agree that theyre giving the wrong idea to society. Because they have recurring 16 & Pregnant seasons and Teen Mom seasons, its almost as if younger people are more excited to become pregnant because of the fact they could be on TV. Also, the show only seems to be causing more unplanned pregnancies by teenagers than not. Wasnt the whole point of the show to prevent that kind of stuff? Not its completely different.
ReplyDeleteYES!! MTV is giving the youth today the wrong idea! I know so many people who have become pregnant over the past few years and its sick. Love your images. Its sad that the second article is about maci back with ryan and not about her child. I guess what sells, sells right?
ReplyDeleteyou said it. They made it look too much like it was such a good thing to get pregnant at 16 instead of it being stupid. They're almost trying to make it seem like if you get pregnant you can get on TV. Tv now is just so messed up.
ReplyDeleteYour accuratecy is too perfect. MTV did make it seem okay as if it were okay to have children at a young age. Shows like these make me worry about what my little sister and younger cousins think about when they view shows like these, especially this one!
ReplyDeletei agree so much. They made it seem like it was okay to have a baby at 16 when in reality it is far from okay. You shouldnt be a child rasiing a child. Maybe thats why so many girls are pregnat at a young age? who knows?
ReplyDeleteI agree with you 100%, it is giving the teens in society the wrong idea completely!!! It is not right for a girl to be 16 and pregnant, there is no way someone that young can take proper care of a baby.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree. The show does make pregnancy seem easy. It makes it seem as though any 16 year old girl could handle having a baby wihtout having to worry about the pressures they would have to consider in the average teen mother's life.
ReplyDeleteIts like the producers are trying to promote that these "reality stars" are something to look up to. It is pretty crazy to think that our society does look up to them.
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