Argumentative Paper On Teenage Pregnancy

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.

In the 1960s and early 1970s, more unmarried women who became pregnant decided not to get married. As more teenage mothers remained single, public concern increased. Teen pregnancies were, often presented as a medical problem to be, treated with more access to clinics, birth control and abortion. There was a shift from viewing teen pregnancy as a moral problem to that of seeing it as a psychological or health problem (Adams, 1997).

Teenage pregnancy is defined as a teenage girl, usually within the ages of 13-19, becoming pregnant (Unicef 2008). These are young girls that have not yet reached adulthood, who are engaging in unprotected sex and have conceived a child from that encounter.

They also found that the show ‘16 and Pregnant’ led to more searches, tweets and Facebook posts on abortion and birth control…Hopefully educating teens on how not to get pregnant! The question “Could exposure to these media images of pregnant teens and very young new mothers have had an impact on how teens think about pregnancy and ultimately on whether they become teen mothers themselves?” does present itself. The timing of the introduction of ’16 and Pregnant’ could have helped the rapid decline of teen pregnancy over the past few years. An economic study argues that ’16 and pregnant’ may have contributed to one-third of the decline in the 18 months after its release. The researchers also looked to see whether high viewership in certain areas corresponded with a bigger drop in teen births…yes it did! “The results of our analysis indicates their exposure to ’16 and pregnant’ was high and that it had an influence on teens thinking, regarding birth control and abortion” the researchers write. That’s all well and scientific, but could a television show really have that big of an impact on teen birth rates? “It’s an extraordinary study done by two very cautious economists” said Bill Albert, chief programme officer at the national campaign to prevent teen and unplanned pregnancy. While the researchers said they did a lot of” fancy economic work” to make sure their conclusion was one hundred percent accurate, the most compelling evidence came from the teens social media. The researcher had quoted some of findings to CNN. “This reminds me to take my birth control” and “watching sixteen and pregnant, going to take my birth control”, she said she had remembered reading…of course no one is crediting MTV alone for the declining teen birth rate, “About half of the recent dramatic decline can be attributed to the recession” the researcher said.

For example, ““16 and pregnant,” and its spinoffs may have prevented more than 20,000 births to teenage mothers in 2010.” After the show was aired, as seen in my previous example a lot of teens saw how difficult it was to raise a baby and prevented themselves from getting pregnant. Whether it was using a condom, being on birth control, or just not having sex at all those teens have stopped getting pregnant at such a young age. Some may say the TV show “16 & pregnant” only promotes teens to get pregnant at such a young age but it is not true. As I’ve watched the show and even went on their website it shows a lot that they are trying to discourage young teens to not get pregnant. For example, 16 and pregnant was originally designed by MTV to show viewers (mostly young women) what life as a pregnant teen was really like. Every time the show airs, MTV promotes a website calledStayTeen.org that “encourage[s] you to enjoy your teen years and avoid the responsibilities that come with too-early pregnancy and parenting.” The site provides information about birth control, STDs and dating abuse. This quote was originally found on their website and after every show, they always promote the website (stayteen.org) so teenagers can go take a look and see what they can do to prevent from being

Teen pregnancy is a growing epidemic in the United States. Teen girls are becoming pregnant at an alarming rate, with a lot of the pregnancies planned. With television shows broadcasting shows such as “16 and Pregnant” and “Teen Mom”, it is giving teenage girls the idea that it is alright to have premarital sex and become pregnant. It is in a way condoning teen pregnancy.

“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

Does “sixteen and pregnant” promote, or discourage teen pregnancy? Although, “sixteen and pregnant shows some of the struggles of being a teenage parent, it doesn’t show all. MTV has given a show to children, for having children. They have put a glorification on getting pregnant at a young age. Instead of teaching and telling them what the outcome of their life could be if they are to have children while there still a child themselves. On the show they give false hope of still being able to be a regular teen. Going out with friends partying, drinking, and smoking. After dropping there kid off with a relative or parent. They don’t show children as being a responsibility. There are younger viewers who watch

Teen moms regularly glamorize teenage pregnancy than what it really is, in actuality, and not simply truly TV. With the media making famous people out of the high schoolers has made the show harming to the center gathering of people. The shows have impacted American young ladies, spreading the message that it's OK to get pregnant on the grounds that MTV may support it. (One “Teen Mom” star stated in court that she makes $140,000 per season, not including endorsements and appearances). "As the rate of teenage pregnancy rises, it seems to me that the attitude about it is more relaxed and sadly, it is seen as desirable" (Villanueva 2010).

being sexually active, including different types of sex messages with dialogue and content.” Teens in today's world spend more time watching television shows that aren’t appropriate for them. 16 and Pregnant was released in July of 2009. It was produced to try and prevent teen pregnancy. “A typical episode of the show follows the new moms a they fight with the fathers of their children (many of whom have now left them), fight with their parents (who are usually supporting them), struggle financially, struggle to finish their degree and watch their friends enjoy prom and college without them.”(Does) When watching the show you see the different hardships that each mom goes through in the 9 months she was pregnant and the couple of months to follow after birth. Teen Mom was

During the teenage years, there are raging hormones, social acceptance conflicts, developing feelings for the opposite sex, the list can go on for days! The older population tends to have opinions about MTV’s hit show, 16 and pregnant. Some critics say it promotes unprotected sex and has girls thinking it is acceptable to be pregnant young. 16 and pregnant has its flaws, but overall it shows the important message that pregnancy is hard, no matter the age but especially so young. These mothers suffer from depression, social unacceptance, and often times bullying. The t.v show proves how difficult it is to have a child so young, and overall tends to discourage it.

This article talks about the effects that 16 and pregnant has had on society. The writer has researched a variety of the effects that the show has had on the viewers and has backed the statements it has made up with all of the statics on teenage pregnancies since the show first started. The article talks about how the purpose of the show 16 and pregnant was to reduce the number of teenage pregnancies in America and it did just that. After the show first aired in June 2011 teenage pregnancy rates in America dropped 5.7 percent in the first eighteen months after it was aired, which meant a third of the pregnancies in America were reduced in that time frame.

"One might say that reality television began in 1948 with Allen Funt's Candid Camera, which featured the filming of real people as they reacted to annoying situations concocted by the show's creators." (Maasik and Solomon) Next PBS launched reality television shows, followed by MTV. Today a popular reality television show is 16 and Pregnant. It is an American reality television show that aired since 2009. This reality television show portrays the stories of high school teenage pregnant girls and the challenges that they go through. Each episode in the series shows a different teenage girl when she about halfway through her pregnancy. When the baby is about three to four months old the episode ends. According to critics, some say that it

More and more teenagers are becoming pregnant nowadays. Could it be because of the multiple television shows they could be watching about Teenage Pregnancy glamorizing the idea? Is the media suggesting to young adults that it is okay to be pregnant at a young age? Throughout the years, teenage pregnancy rates have increased due to the influence of mass media and the peer pressure teenagers are faced with every day; however, it is one hundred percent preventable.

This issue explores whether or not reality TV shows portray responsible messages about Teen Pregnancy. Amy Kramer argues the pro side and Mary Jo Podgurski argues the con side. Surprisingly, both support aspects of the reality TV shows and both recognize that shows such as MTV’s “Teen Mom” and “16 and Pregnant” are not substitutes for parenting or educational programs. However, Amy Kramer believes that these shows are playing a critical role in how teens view teen pregnancy because of their popularity and the connection that teens make with real characters. She believes that traditional sex education and parenting would be less effective. However, she recognizes that these reality shows do provide a unique opportunity for parents and educators