The Media Addresses Teen Pregnancy

The Media Addresses Teen Pregnancy

Teen pregnancy is nothing new- but it is making its way into TV programming geared towards teens. Two networks have launched shows that center around this issue- ABC Family’s “Secret Life of the American Teenager” and MTV’s “16 & Pregnant” and “Teen Mom”. Both approach teen pregnancy from the standpoint that it is preventable by providing information on ways to prevent teen pregnancy- stayteen.org. However, one network is clearly providing a more realistic picture of teen pregnancy- MTV. My concern about these shows occurred after a teen began discussing them at school.

“Secrete Life of the American Teenager”—ABC Family

http://abcfamily.go.com/abcfamily/path/section_Shows+Secret-Life-Of-The-American-Teenager/page_Detail

My issue with the “Secrete Life of the American Teenager” is its accidental glorification of teen pregnancy. While they claim they are trying to reduce teen pregnancies they often don’t show the realities- the lack of health insurance, the father being unsupportive, and being able to attend school and magically having day care. The teen character, Amy, becomes pregnant. She considers abortion and adoption, but ultimately keeps the baby. Here is where ABC family went wrong- just before the baby is born Amy is offered a job at a day care center that provides FREE health insurance and FREE day care if she works there after school. The baby-daddy gets a job/ apartment and contributes financially and even watches him. ABC is doing teens a disservice by creating the illusion that everything works out as a teen parent- going to regular high school and getting support from everyone- and not showing the realities of being a parent (ok- she doesn’t get to go to Italy from the Summer).

“16 & Pregnant”—MTV

http://www.mtv.com/shows/16_and_pregnant/season_2/series.jhtml

MTV’s documentaries (16 & Pregnant) provide a better picture of teen pregnancy with the range of girls they select- supportive boyfriends to abusive, adoption (both open and closed) to raising the child, those who drop out of high school and one teen who goes to a culinary college. By providing a range of teen moms, MTV is able to provide a fuller picture. It is true that some of the boyfriends are supportive, but it also shows that being a teen mom often means being a single parent.  None of them magically get jobs with health insurance, but a few have preemies with health conditions. It also shows the sacrifices that have to be made- going into the Navy for one teen, going out to parties with friends, and being able to participate in after school activities.

“Teen  Mom”—MTV

http://www.mtv.com/shows/teen_mom/series.jhtml

Teen mom follows four teens from “16 & Pregnant”: three who keep their babies, and one who opts for adoption. By showing what it is like to have a baby rather than an infant, it shows to teens that while it may be cute to have a baby, raising a child has a lot of responsibility. One teen struggles to end her financial independence with an ex-fiancée to another whose ex-partner is out of the picture altogether (he passed away). The show also demonstrates how much time it takes just to care for the child- diaper changing, bottles and then on top of that they have jobs to pay for their kids. Teen mom is a great follow up to show the challenges of being a teen mom & a single parent.

If we want to provide a realistic picture of teen pregnancy, then we need to stop glamorizing teen pregnancies by creating the illusion that being a teen mom is easy. Documentary style programming provides a fuller account rather than a screen writer controlling the destiny of a character whose baby almost never cries.