Teens, MTV, and Pregnancy -- A Very Confusing Topic

Yes, the second season premiere of MTV's Teen Moms 2 is reported to have had -- get this -- 4.2 million viewers. And, at the same, The Center for Disease Control announced that the number of teens in the U.S. giving birth is at the lowest rate ever.

So, how are we to make sense of a preoccupation with watching teen moms and their babies on TV and a lower rate of teens actually having babies? Perhaps teens are remaining abstinent because of abstinent-only education? NOPE, that is not the answer. In fact, researchers, from the University of Georgia found that states that have sex education programs that teach abstinence only have significantly HIGHER teen pregnancy and birth rates than states with more comprehensive sex education programs. Comprehensive sex education programs cover abstinence AND proper contraception and condom use, and HIV education.

Is it possible that Teen Moms is actually part of our daughters' comprehensive sex education? Perhaps, by providing a glance into the not-so-glamorous lives of teen mothers, Teen Moms actually serves to dissuade our girls from entering motherhood at a tender young age. Or is the temporal juxtaposition of lower teen birth rates and the popularity of Teen Moms simply coincidental?

 

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Comments

[Sighthound lover]

11:27 AM on 01/02/2012

In my opinion, the best form of birth control is a cat or dog. It's mighty hard to get someone into bed when there's a dog already there, snoring on his backside. No teen has time to get laid while caring for said pet as well. It worked for my family, it might work for yours too!!! ;)

[dveo]

04:15 PM on 12/27/2011

They need to cancel all of those MTV shows.

[meganmarieborn]

01:33 PM on 01/02/2012

These shows provide resources for how to obtain birth control and teach about abstinence. They also show the harsh reality of being a teen parent. These shows greatly benefit teenagers.

[dveo]

11:23 AM on 01/10/2012

No the hell they don't. There isnt a day I dont see these teen moms on the cover of and inside every "In Touch" "people" " stars" magazine etc. They SENSATIONALIZE these girls lifestyles. Havent you heard all of the stories of teen girls trying to purposely get pregnant to be on the show.

[gracelynnallenokc76]

11:04 AM on 12/27/2011

Before I became pregnant at 15, I was depressed, doing drugs, and failing out of high school. When I found out I was pregnant, my life changed and for the better but judgement followed me everywhere I went. I went to the mall to buy some maternity clothes and a woman told me I should be ashamed of myself. She wagged her finger and expressed her hope that I was going to do the right thing and give my baby up. My family stepped up and helped me to figure out what to do next. Looking back now, I see that without their support, it would have been much harder to stay in school and go to college. The support was not financial but emotional and physical support. Now I am 35 years old and my precious son is 19. I am in a happy relationship, finished high school and college and am an incredibly proud mother. I really don't see that I could have done it without my son, he made me the woman I am today. I see shows like teen moms and I am thankful that they are out there sharing their stories. I want my children to see that it is hard and every choice you make comes with consequences. My life has not been easier because I was a teen mom but I am forever grateful for the experience.

[Claire Southern]

12:26 AM on 12/14/2011

I think teenagers look at sex as something that is a "toy" per say. They want it so badly, they get it, then when they realize that said "toy" wasn't all that cracked up to be (or they get pregnant because they weren't responsible with that "toy"), they will look back and realize "Why did I do that?" They need to make sure if they want to have sex, they need to be prepared physically, emotionally and mentally. Parents need to step in and actually talk to them (boys and girls both) about the responsibility that comes with sex. It's not something that these Teen Moms should do. That is what parenting is about. Now if their parents had done this, they wouldn't be in this position.

[meganmarieborn]

01:36 PM on 01/02/2012

Not all teenagers think like this. Some of them take sex very seriously and do practice safe sex. No sex is safer than birth control, but some teenagers who have sex are very serious and mature. A lot of parents don't talk as much as they should and this show is a great alternative. This shows talks about abstinence, birth control methods, and the harsh realities of having being a teen parent.

[Allena Tapia]

02:36 PM on 12/09/2011

no way, those moms end up on People magazine and are household names. what are you guys watching? They get to drive around in their OWN CARS (some of them VERY NICE) and buy aprtments and etc. cmon!

[Barbara Greenberg]

04:38 AM on 12/10/2011

That is a concern! Yikes!

[dveo]

04:16 PM on 12/27/2011

Exactly why they need to cancel all those damn shows.

[asantewa3]

01:17 PM on 12/09/2011

I absolutely think that seeing these real world teen moms has scared plenty of young girls right into pregnancy prevention. Gone is the ability to fool oneself into thinking that the teen father will continue to be a supportive, caring partner and fellow parent. The people who see this show as a glamorization of teen pregnancy clearly aren't watching it.

[Barbara Greenberg]

02:49 PM on 12/09/2011

You are in good company with this opinion!

[meganmarieborn]

01:41 PM on 01/02/2012

Agreed. This show shows the reality of teen pregnancy. Very few of the mothers are still with the fathers and the fathers who are still present, are very immature and not much help. It also shows the impact a baby has on your social life, fiances, relationships, and schooling.

[kasieerlewine]

11:30 AM on 12/09/2011

I think that these shows can teach very important lessons to young girls. However, I'm from the same area as Teen Mom 2 'star' Leah Messer, and I am always seeing friends' posts on facebook about running into her, being at the same place as her, or getting their picture taken with her- most of these coming from young girls. We have to make sure that these teen moms aren't becoming role models or idols.

[Barbara Greenberg]

02:50 PM on 12/09/2011

Agree wholeheartedly!

[chereen]

11:07 AM on 12/09/2011

Knowledge is Power and I'm not talking about street smarts or your teenage peers. All of us have our own conception of living and how it relates to us. With that in mind, I like to provide quality information on Pregnancy. Like the health, diet, education and fitness issues for Mother and Child. Thanks Barbara, enjoyed your brief Article and the opportunity to comment. http://duringpregnancyinfo.com

[Barbara Greenberg]

02:51 PM on 12/09/2011

Thank you!

[teacher2be33]

08:24 PM on 12/08/2011

I think all teens should have to watch these kinds of shows or movies involving having young children so they think twice about having kids at a young age.

[Ken Bushway]

10:17 PM on 12/08/2011

Just don't tell them the pay check amount these girls get.

[Barbara Greenberg]

12:34 AM on 12/09/2011

Good point!

[meganmarieborn]

01:43 PM on 01/02/2012

Good point, but the shows do show harsh realities and I think it's a very good thing to show teenagers!

[Barbara Greenberg]

12:36 AM on 12/09/2011

That's such an interesting perspective!

[belldn3]

07:18 PM on 12/08/2011

One upshot could be that they meet a real sugar daddy to take care of them.

[BiggpussJr]

02:34 PM on 12/08/2011

How about the parents of the teens that are getting pregnant now have decided that THEY WILL NOT take care of their grandchildren so another choice is made?

[Mike Hyl]

05:49 PM on 12/08/2011

True, i told my daughter when she WAS READY/HER WORDS/ to move out ,fine , but your room is becoming my mancave and do not think you are bringing a baby to us to raise, we watch her maybe 3 times a year, have a baby be a parent, and that means staying home with it or paying for a sitter,,

[Barbara Greenberg]

06:22 PM on 12/08/2011

Yep, good idea to let them know that YOU won't be raising their babies.
Barbara!

[BiggpussJr]

11:48 AM on 12/09/2011

I made it known from the begining. I wouldnt even hold their dolls when they were young. You wanted to bring it you carry it.

[acarolinagirl]

05:55 PM on 12/08/2011

Doubtful. When a 25-year-old tells her 12-year-old that she is not going to take care of grandchildren, something tells me that the 12-year-old will call that bluff.

[Barbara Greenberg]

04:28 AM on 12/09/2011

!!