This paper examines the complex effects of MTV reality television programs—particularly "Teen Mom," "Teen Mom 2," and "16 and Pregnant"—on teenage girls' attitudes toward pregnancy and motherhood. Drawing on research from the National Bureau of Economic Research, commentary from educators and psychologists, and academic analysis of gender representation, the paper considers whether these shows discourage teen pregnancy or inadvertently glamorize it. It also explores how teen fathers are consistently portrayed as irresponsible and peripheral, reinforcing dominant cultural norms about gender roles. The paper concludes that while these programs may carry genuine educational value, they risk sending mixed or distorted messages to adolescent audiences.
The paper effectively uses direct quotation integrated with attribution to build credibility. Rather than paraphrasing all sources, it selectively quotes experts (economists, psychologists, educators, and academics) and even the reality TV participants themselves, then frames each quote within a broader argument. This technique shows how to let sources speak while maintaining the writer's analytical voice.
The paper opens with a series of orienting questions before moving into empirical evidence about teen birth rates. It then shifts to critical perspectives on glamorization, introduces first-person testimony from show participants, and closes with an academic analysis of gender-role representation drawn from a scholarly essay collection. A brief conclusion synthesizes the competing views without overstating either side.
Do some reality TV shows try to make it cool to get pregnant? What effect have various reality TV programs had on teenage girls when it comes to issues like pregnancy and motherhood? Are these shows genuinely providing useful information to teen girls about their lives and sexual activity, or do they simply "sugarcoat" the challenges that pregnant teens face (Sun, 2011)? This paper examines the issues surrounding reality TV shows and teen pregnancy and motherhood.
It is possible that MTV shows like "Teen Mom," "Teen Mom 2," and "16 and Pregnant" are actually intended by their producers to warn teenage girls about the negative consequences of having babies while still in adolescence. The shows may indeed be having that very impact, according to a survey by the National Bureau of Economic Research. The study concluded that watching these reality TV shows "led to a 5.7% decrease in teen births," which apparently accounted for "around one-third" of the overall decline in births by teenage girls since these programs were launched in 2009 (Gallant, 2014).
Reportedly, the rate of teen pregnancy has "stabilized at around 28 pregnancies per 100,000" girls (Gallant, p. 1). The co-author of the study, Phillip B. Levine, an economist at a Massachusetts university, observed that when an older teacher whose life seems relatively normal tells teen girls about the negative consequences of pregnancy, it may not leave a very strong impression. However, seeing a reality TV show featuring 16-year-old girls who are actually "going through it and having their lives documented" could resonate much more powerfully, Levine asserts (Gallant). On the other hand, Alexander McKay, with the Sexual Information and Education Council of Canada, said he is "skeptical" that — given everything researchers and sociologists understand about socioeconomic factors and other relevant issues that tend to explain why teens become pregnant — "the provision of information in a television show would have a meaningful impact on teen birth rates" (Gallant, p. 1).
An article in Time magazine suggests that these reality TV shows may be creating a "distorted view of teen sexual activity" (Sun, 2011). These shows present the perception that "tremendous numbers of teens are becoming pregnant or becoming parents," according to Leslie Kantor of the Planned Parenthood group, which develops educational initiatives for teens (Sun, p. 2). Showing the consequences of risky behavior — such as unprotected sex — might help some teens, Kantor remarked; but sending the message that "everybody is having unprotected sex" is the wrong message to convey (Sun, p. 2).
In 2011, about 330,000 babies were born to teen mothers in the United States. Even though that figure represented a decline from 2010, when 368,000 babies were born to teen mothers, it still represents a substantial number of newborns depending on adolescent girls for parental stewardship (Kemp, 2013). Nancy Irwin, a psychologist, is quoted as saying that reality TV shows glamorize teen pregnancy, and Melissa Henson of the Parents Television Council explains that because teen moms on these programs gain "instant fame," other teens develop "a slanted view of teen pregnancy" (Kemp, p. 1).
Many pertinent questions surround these shows, including one raised in Entertainment Weekly: "What will the babies think when they're old enough to see their early lives, and their young parents' every mistake, on tape?" One of the young teen moms featured, Maci Bookout, offered a telling response: she does not want her son Bentley to watch the show because she fears he might develop a prejudiced view of his father, Ryan — who gave a "cold shoulder to parenting duties" during the first season of Teen Mom and ultimately separated from Maci (Armstrong, 2010).
When asked whether the show glamorizes teen pregnancy, Maci Bookout insisted she did not participate for fame or money: "I'm just doing it for educational purposes," she said. Amber Portwood from Indiana was similarly dismissive of the glamorization charge: "If you think it's glamorizing teen pregnancy, I don't know what's wrong with you," she stated (Armstrong, p. 3).
There are positive aspects to reality TV shows about teen motherhood and teen pregnancy, and no doubt many adolescent girls have been positively influenced by these programs. The research linking these shows to declining teen birth rates suggests they carry genuine educational value. On the other hand, there is some validity to the argument that these programs tend to glamorize teen mothers and give the impression that being pregnant is acceptable or even desirable — notwithstanding the very real trials and challenges adolescent girls face in continuing their education while raising a child. As with much media aimed at young audiences, the effect ultimately depends on how thoughtfully the content is framed and how critically it is received by its viewers.
Armstrong, J. (2010). Teen Mom. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 22, 2014, from
Gallant, J. (2014). Shows on pregnant teens linked to drop in teen births, study says. Toronto Star. Retrieved August 22, 2014, from
Kemp, S. (2013). Reality TV's impact on teen pregnancy. Livestrong.com. Retrieved August 22, 2014, from http://www.livestrong.com.
Sun, F. (2011). Baby mamas. Time. Retrieved August 22, 2014, from http://www.time.com.
Weber, J. B., and Schatz, E. (2013). "16 and Pregnant, Masculinity, and Teen Fatherhood: Reconciling or Reinforcing Stereotypes?" In MTV and Teen Pregnancy: Critical Essays on 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom, L. Guglielmo, Editor. New York: Scarecrow Press.
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