16 and Pregnant. Teen Mom..

Laura Zoey - posted on 09/13/2011

I watch it! I think it makes teen parenting look hard! I feel so bad for those babies sometimes! It shows there is happy times but also as a hole it's ridiculously hard and the babies will suffer at some times. I think Carly has the best life! She was adopted and her parents are still together, both succeeding in school, both still happily together. Makes a great case for adoption I think. Maci is a great mom but she's barely getting any college done! Amber sucks at being a mom and her poor baby suffers from it.
Makes me so happy I was married and stable before trying to conceive!

Ashley - posted on 09/13/2011

I watch it every Tuesday. Do i think it glamourizes teen pregnancy?? God no. I honestly watch it and think thank god i was in my 20's when i had my first. Couldn't imagine being pregnat and having a child at the age of 16. Yes they get paid for it but how many other reality shows are out there where a camera man follows them around the house and their bringing in a half mil for one episode. It shows you that having a baby is not what you think it is, the daddy is not going to stay with you because you had his baby and waking up with a crying newborn every 2-4 hrs is not like playing "house". I've actually read that since the show has come out the teen pregnancy rates have dropped.

Stifler's - posted on 02/12/2011

Yeah I can agree with that, all their families are well off and live in massive houses and have money to give them to go out and stuff. That's not the reality for a lot of teen mothers.

Marylea - posted on 02/12/2011

@Sarah: I really like Jodi Picoult, "Plain Truth" and "Handle With Care" are my two favourites by her.

As for teenmom and 16 and preggers, I watch them and probably enjoy them more than I should. I think that show would be more effective if they girls they chose to highlight weren't always so well off. Almost every girl on the show has wealthy parents that buy everything for their grandchild. None of these babies every has second hand things, they all find the money for daycare. The girls whose parents disown them usually have support from the baby daddy's parents. Even though it shows hardship the hardships are always the mother giving something up not the mother struggling to survive.

Sarah - posted on 02/12/2011

That article reminds me of that book I just finished reading by Jodi Picoult, "Plain Truth," about that Amish girl that was accused of murdering her premature newborn.



But to hear about it in real life just makes me VERY angry & sick to my stomach.

Sharon - posted on 02/12/2011

Those shows aren't real..

THIS is real
http://www.aolnews.com/2011/02/11/teen-p...

Teen Accused of Using Scissors to Murder Her NewbornFeb 11, 2011 – 6:10 PM
.

Laura - posted on 02/11/2011

I think they are crap. I was a teen mum, and although they show the struggle, they are in a way making it look 'cool.' Im 22 now and loving life with my kids, but it wasnt easy and i'd definitely never encourage anyone to plan a baby in their teens!

Lady Heather - posted on 02/11/2011

If I saw these things when I was a teenager, I wouldn't want to even look at a penis. Anybody who idolizes that was probably going to get knocked up anyways.

Sarah - posted on 02/11/2011

I think there are PLENTY of ridiculous shows out there these days that teens would be better off NOT watching. Jersey Shore, Skins, The Real World, even most comedy shows etc etc. I get so sick & tired of turning on the t.v. & hearing someone make a comment about sex. Sex, sex, sex. It seems like that's all they talk about on television these days...but sadly, that's what the general public wants. I don't think Teen Mom or 16 & Pregnant are the worst things your teens could be watching, honestly.

Stifler's - posted on 02/11/2011

I never even dreamed of being a parent at 16. I was in grade 11. Kids that age don't connect sex with being a parent. I think a lot of teens see these shows and think ooh a baby cute! But babies grow up into toddlers and then kids who go to school and then high school.

User - posted on 02/11/2011

I think it glamorizes it ALOT. It says "Hey if your a teen and become pregnant, you can be on a TV show and make money". You can't fully blame these shows. Parents should talk to their teens about safe sex and the consequences of pregnancy.



Teen Mom and 16 and pregnant are ridiculous shows.





A was with my mom when I was really young then moved with someone else(not going to explain the whole story),but as far as I can remember I was never even talked to about birds and the bees.



I knew what happened to me when I started my period and I knew what BC was. I guess I was just a safe teen. I didn't have a child until I turned 22 and never had sex till I was 18. But seriously some teens are just irresponsible and don't think.



America glamorizes alot of things nowadays.

Nikkole - posted on 02/11/2011

I watch it also its the only thing on Tuesday night lol But i wouldn't say these shows glamorize teen pregnancy BUT i don't think it does a good enough jib of showing hard ships of being a teen mom! And since they get paid an outrageous amount im sure some girls think if they get pregnant they could be on the show! When my kids get old enough to understand about sex and babies we are going to watch videos on birth,talk about safe sex,and waiting to loose your virginity, and ill make my kids babysit a child to show them how hard it is (they wont have any more sister or brothers lol)!! But i am going to be involved in both there life's and be there to talk with them!! And there is NO dating till 16 and if there grades are bad or there too immature maybe 17!

Shauna - posted on 02/11/2011

i admit i cant stop watching them!!!! but i do think it glamourizes teen pregnancy

Krissy - posted on 02/11/2011

I think it's more than that, too... having the siblings help with younger siblings has ALWAYS been done.. at least until the past 50 years or so. It's not just that it won't hurt them... its actually GOOD for them to be responsible.

Deanna - posted on 02/11/2011

Trust me when I say that Krissy's kids are NOT going to end up pregnant at 16 or any other age unless they are ready and neither are mine. We talk to our kids and though they do help with their younger siblings they don't do most of the work and they know that. I think it all depends on how much responsibility you give your kids and how much of the world you expose them to. If you hide bill paying, how much money you and your spouse make along with day to day things, then yes your child will think it is all roses. However, giving your children a well rounded view of life and their world while still having responsibilities WON'T hurt your children. Each of my kids help each other and we really try to work as a team in our home since there are currently 6 of us just in mine and 5 in Krissy's. I think most people judge others behavior before they have even raised their own kids fully or even more than those they judge. Maybe that isn't such a good idea huh?

Sarah - posted on 02/11/2011

Eh, I watch it for entertainment purposes. Like Kristin said, it's my guilty pleasure. :) My son is 16 months old & he's long been in bed by the time this show comes on.

As far as glamourizing teen pregnancy, I honestly don't think it does. What 16 year old girl (in her right mind) would watch those shows & think "boy! teen motherhood looks like a blast!" It shows the hardships, crappy relationships, school problems, the babies tantrums, etc etc. I don't know anyone who would actually WANT that to be their life..but then again I'm 26 & had my baby at 25...so maybe I'm wrong.

I thought I read somewhere that teen pregnancy rates were down & that they were attributing that to these teen mom shows?

Amber - posted on 02/11/2011

Krissy, do you know how many girls have said to me "Oh, I could take care of a baby fine, I practically take care of my baby sisters and brothers all the time, I could easily be a mum!" I'm not trying to be rude, I'm just saying...you never know, that could backfire. I've definately rethought ever giving my children any responsibility over one another, if it gives them that kind of false sense of being able to care for their own infant at a young age. In regards to the OP, I think both those shows are stupid and that is why we do not have cable TV in my house. My children will never see those shows or any like them under my roof, nor will any show like that contribute to their sexual education or learning about growing up. There always has been teen pregnancy and there always will be, and I don't believe these shows have or will change that. I think that people have stopped properly educating their kids.

Krissy - posted on 02/11/2011

you know, we didn't really even get into the sex thing... though I'm not the kind that shelters my kids from that, I'm also hesitant to not push them in that direction. Some kids are just a bundle of innocence while others start exploring earlier. You need to know your kid and talk with them when THEY need it.

Deanna - posted on 02/11/2011

Very true Krissy. I think that for those parents who are uncomfortable talking with their kids about it, are just embarrassed or just aren't sure how to do it then it would probably NOT be a good idea that their kids watch it as it MIGHT glamorize it. However, I think as long as you talk to your kids the show is perfectly fine.

Krissy - posted on 02/11/2011

maybe in our case, it was because I didn't really let her watch it... I'll give that... so she only got the snippets from walking by or something...

However, I just opted for talking with her about the realities of babies... which she should know pretty well as she has a three year old sister that I give her lots of responsibility of.

Deanna - posted on 02/11/2011

I think it is a good way for those teen moms to earn money they otherwise wouldn't have for their babies/kids. If they manage it right it could last years too.
As for appropriate? I don't know. I don't really care in so far as my kids don't watch it or even a lot of shows. We allow our kids to watch Dora, disney movies, the history channel, NOVA, and any of the animal/nature shows when they do watch the telly.

Amanda - posted on 02/11/2011

Hell yes I put those shows on for my almost 13 year old to see. I firmly believe censorship, and lack of commuication between parents and children that cause pregnant teenagers. I dont think these shows sensationalize being a pregnant teen, or mother, my daughter now fears having a child at a young age. Next year my son (who will be 12 then) will also be watching these shows, so he understands what happens to girls, and boys when they are not responsible about sex.

Teenagers will always have sex, its our jobs as parents to teach them possible reactions to their actions so they make the right choices!

Krissy - posted on 02/11/2011

I watched it a few time, because I always watch baby shows..... I stopped when my 9 year old daughter, who had only caught snippets of it started talking about getting pregnant at 16!!!!!!



You tell me... does it sensationalize teen pregnancy?????

Kristin - posted on 02/11/2011

i watch these two shows often. it's my guilty pleasure.
most of the moms on there are ridiculous.
the one mom got arrested and had her child taken from her because she constantly hit her boyfriend. another one went out every night and partied while her mother took care of her son. she ended up signing temporary custody over to her mother until she got her life together. in the mean time, she still went out and partied everynight and her and her boyfriend eventually got arrested for robbery and drugs.
i watch this show with my husband's 12 year old daughter.we sit and discuss these shows together. we don't talk about sex or anything, just the responsibilities and the trouble these girls got into. she even thinks its awful they way they are acting.
in that aspect, i use it as a teaching tool with her. but i have heard in the news that some teenagers are trying to get pregnant to just be on the show.

Nadia - posted on 02/09/2011

I have 2 daughters (age 5 and 5months) and i seriously never want them watching those shows. Or MTV in general. Have you SEEN the music videos out there?!?! And impressionable young minds soak that stuff up. that's why there are teen mom's in the first place! I honestly hope that no girl EVER dreams of being a teen mom! the problem is tv glamorises everything... kids watching these shows don't know how difficult it actually is to be a mom. they get ombarded with sexy images everywhere they turn and of course they're smart enough by that age that they DO realize that having sex they could get pregnant... but they think, oh well, i can just go on a tv show and get lots of money and its easy having kids. i'm terrified for my girls.

Stifler's - posted on 02/09/2011

The shows are awful, I've seen a few episodes of 16 and Pregnant. I hope to God no one aspires to be like those women!! They suck. And nooo it's not because of their age or because they're a "teen mom", it's because they are crap parents who barely even look after their own spawn. I watched one and she didn't work OR study OR look after the baby her mum did it all and took the baby to daycare and did the night feeds. What a useless bitch.

Angela - posted on 02/09/2011

That show just infuriates me...It makes me ask "really?! are these girls really this stupid?!" NONE of those girls should of had babies and I really do think that its stereotypical about 16 year olds,cause I wasnt stupid when I was 16,wasnt allowed in my house.