16 & Pregnant, Teen Mom & Teen Mom 2.

Sami - posted on 04/30/2012

i love the shows seen every1 of them . its not glamourizing it . its defiantly hard work !

Lauren - posted on 04/27/2012

I think it's all in the eyes of the beholder. To most people, including myself, it does portray real life problems, and rarely makes it look the least bit fun. However, to a cocky fourteen year old that would love to be on television, it probably looks like a great opportunity. I know there were several stories of girls actually attempting pregnancy for a spot on the show. So, I guess it depends on how mature the viewers really are.

Emma - posted on 04/25/2012

Then new clhanells glamorize murder! Its a documentery about young parents and shows that it isnt easy at all x

Sonia - posted on 04/23/2012

In my opinion its a little bit glamourized. I am a teen mom and some of the things that go on that show do happen but it was way harder on me.

Helen - posted on 04/22/2012

i dont think it glorifies it in any way giving up a baby or coping with partner issues no work or money family issues ect ect my eldest watches the shows with me i hope it will encourage her not to be a teen mom as she asks me questions like ' is it really that hard to be a mommy ' i reply yes but explain it depends on each individuals situation i was a teen mom and it was hard not as hard as some on the show but i still dont want my daughter to have to go through all that hopefully she will wait till she has house car and good career

Alli - posted on 04/22/2012

i admit i like the shows too, im interested to see how other teen moms do things, gives me a few tips now and again too.
but i dont agree with the show, theyy have pregnancy packs so they can get on the show now, thats not right.
im not saying the show makes its look easy, but it doesnt really show how difficult it is either.

Stacey - posted on 04/18/2012

I was a teen mom I became pregnant at 15 after being raped. My son is now twelve and has spinal muscular atrophy type 2. Most of the moms show seem to have life to easy. The man who got me pregnant fought to see Stephen and won because of the lack of evidence in the case. On one of the visits he violently dragged my grandmother down a 1.5 mile stretch going 65 mph. I believe that the show does show the bad however not nearly as much as the good. Most of the kids have parental support of some type. They are in bigger cities where more assistance is available. However the hard truth is in rural areas where assisstance is not as readily available life is even more difficult jobs are much harder to find especially with the over all general public critisizing every detail of an individual's life.

Casey - posted on 04/18/2012

I am addicted to these shows. I think its because I can relate to them in some way. Some of the girls on these shows make it look bad on us teen moms that did what was best weather it be finish school or what have you. I enjoy watching them and to be honest more of the episodes really show just how hard it is. Oh and U.S. teen birth is at a low. Just saying

Jess - posted on 04/18/2012

i find teen mom and teen mom 2 very rubbish i rather watch one born every minute and one born every minute usa and 16 and pregnant they better than teen mom, teen mom 2.

Monique - posted on 04/17/2012

Well Teen Mom 2 doesn't glamorize at all! I would not know about the others because I don't watch them.

Amanda - posted on 01/18/2012

They do not glamorize teen motherhood at all. Catelynn and Tyler struggle with family life so they put Carly up for adoption. Leah, kail, Macy,Amber,Farrah, and Chelsea all struggle with raising their kids.

And then there's Janelle, who I want to smack some sense into. She doesn't care for Jace, her mom does. Her mom nags her to take care of her kid when it appears janelle doesn't want to. Janelle argues with her mom constantly! Janelle's been arrested, she smokes pot with her scummy boyfriend keiffer. Jace should be with a couple who will love him! I could go on and on about janelle but I won't. All I can say is I hope her life turns around. Clearly the shows do not glamorize teen pregnancy.

Miranda - posted on 05/10/2011

I watch them. I like the shows. I thnk that they give teens the wrong impression of being a mom. They make it look easy. I have friends that are teens and they watch the show and are now teen moms. I also think that Secret life does the same thing. I honestly think that they make teens want to have a baby.

Melissa - posted on 05/10/2011

I watch these show and i really enjoy them im 21 and have an18 month old daughter, I see people saying that oh teen mums are not good parents and they are selfish and dont putthere kids first but there are parents of all ages that do this just bcoz ur a teen mum doesnt mean that ur gna do a shit job, i believe the show does show a realistic view of teen parenthood and the struggle with life and relationships

Samantha - posted on 05/10/2011

Im 20 and i had my son at 17 and me and my boyfriend use to watch the show we dont anymore cause we dont have regular tv. I think the show only shows moments really where there is fighting they dont show how nice it is to be a parent, it doesnt show the love and affection your child gives all it does is show either one couple fighting or another. Farrah with her mom, Maci with the father of her child, Amber with Guary. They dont show the connection that a parent should have with there child.

That and they show the girls going out and partying and in reality i dont think alot of teen moms get to that stuff because of one reason or another i mean, i can tell you the last time i went out to go party or something was 6 months after my son was born hes two almost three now.

My other problem is how is it like only one of the girls has a job but they can afford apartments better than my house? Seems very unrealistic they can afford something like that and there other bills on top of it, when most of us are scraping to get by.

Cheyenne - posted on 05/09/2011

i dont think they glamorize it. there are some people who think teenagers are getting pregnant because they see this show and they think its fun. my opinion is that even though they see how hard most of these girls have it with custody battles, fathers who arent there, not graduating. its not the shows fault at all. these girls know what they are doing and they are gonna pay the price. they wanted a baby and then they are really going to see what the teen moms are going through. im almost 21 with a 15 month old and expecting #2 in December. even though im not a teen anymore its still hard. we barley make it with money and sometimes its not fun. im glad i waited until at least i was out of high school because i dont think i wouldve been able to do it. i admire the teen mom and 16 & pregnant girls because they show us a little of whats happening. so weather this show was around or not teens would still end up having sex and getting prenant. they think its fun to have all these cute baby clothes and everything, they need a reality check because its not going to be that much fun for awhile. you have waking up in the middle of the night crying, diaper changes, bottle washing, taking them everywhere with you, not being on time for anything, not putting yourself first. these girls getting pregnant dont know anything.

Keli - posted on 05/06/2011

i think its slightly glamortized. Chelsea on teenmom2 drives around in a new convertible and has a house. hell id be happy to be her!

Kristian - posted on 05/05/2011

I dont think they glamorize it. Because they show more then how easy it is with a baby at a young age. They show the struggles these girls are having being a parent at a young age. Fininacial ways health way and other ways also.

Leighton - posted on 05/05/2011

I don't think they glamorize the situation at all. I had my son when I was 15 years old (I turn 17 in 4 days) and I have it a whole lot easier than those young ladies. My boyfriend has never cheated on me, or anything of that matter he is still with me (going on 3 years). I don't have anyone trying to take my child away from me. Of course i've defiantly had my ups and downs, A LOT of them. But I don't have to work because I have my boyfriends (father of the baby) support, my dads support and all of my boyfriends family. All I do is concentrate on the rest of my schoolwork, which i'm almost done with, and John David.

Cindy - posted on 05/03/2011

I honestly think they glamourize it all especially after they have the kid and the pictures and a story in those magazines. I think more teen girls have gotten pregnant since that show came out. They don't realize how hard it is or everything you have to do physically, mentally for your baby and yourself cause you have to keep your sanity, right? lol. I just don't agree with this show at all.

Kaity - posted on 05/02/2011

the funny thing is now that girls are really getting pregnant to try and get on that show what retards dont they know what baby do to a person that young i know i was there

Bri - posted on 04/09/2011

i think that what they actually show on tv is an honest interpretation of teen parenthood, HOWEVER i feel that paying those girls so much money to be on tv is making girls feel that if they get pregnant, they can be famous & have money & whatever else. the show is true, sure, but the aftermath of the show is not good for girls to see. if they didn't pay those girls so much & they didn't put them all over magazines & entertainment news, it would be a true message about teen pregnancy.

Candice - posted on 04/09/2011

In a sense I feel like it does glamorize teen pregnancy by how much publicity it gets. But to be honest, I really have life a lot easier than them. Yeah, I had some ups and downs...but my boyfriend never left or cheated on me, my parents' not trying to get custody, etc. It does show some of the troubles that almost every teen mom goes through. Sometimes when I watch 16 and pregnant or teen mom I get upset by how much they are exploiting themselves for the money...what about the babies?
IDK, its hard to choose a side

Miranda - posted on 03/29/2011

I admit, I watch them. However, it upsets me that it rarely shows a young mother overcoming the obstacles we face, rarely any of them do anything productive with themselves. I, for instance, was 17 when I was pregnant with my daughter. I had her three days before I turned 18. I have a full time job as an insurance agent, am almost done a college degree, and am now married to a wonderful man (not my daughter's father), and have started my own business. I have been told many times that I am the "exception to teen mothers" which I find disturbing. If there were more shows showing the struggles of young mothers and how they have overcame them, I would not have to be regarded as the "exception" but many young moms could get the respect that is deserved and encourage other mothers to rise above as well.

Britney - posted on 03/28/2011

i don't think they glamorize it either, it's showing what everyday problems they are going through and the struggles to be a parent. It also showed in 16 and pregnant how fast you loose friend when word gets around about you being pregnant. Ive watched that show since it came out and i always said i wasn't going to get pregnant but it happened, and i DONT regret it. it shows how hard it is to keep your child and to give him/her up for adoption. but also i think that it's a little personal, not saying that it's wrong but those girls went from being normal teen to teen sensations just by becoming pregnant and a girl in my high school went out and got pregnant thinking she was going to be on the show

Amber - posted on 03/27/2011

You get paid 16k to be on the show :)

I called.

But thy get paid when MTV wants to pay them, Thats why they have to get two jobs and all that stuff. They don't get paid until they are done filming in between seasons.

Krystal - posted on 03/27/2011

I love the shows. Its my little addiction. But I also agree that it shows all the drama that people want to see and the main problem that I have with it is that they show being pregnant on 16 and pregnant and then they skip right over all the hard stuff to when the baby is a year old on Teen Mom. Like I think that if they are going to show a "Teen Mom" then they should have to show the first few months of the baby's life where it is the HARDEST thing ever lol like how helpless it is and how you are literally the only thing keeping that child alive. Like they don't show the hardships of waking up six or seven times a night and all that. In my opinion they should show that more than the baby being a year old and being more independant....but I do love the show. Lol its my guilty pleasure and I love watching it. Oh and they don't show how the girls have to work their asses off just to get diapers and wipes and formula because MTV is payin them a pretty penny so they can have their little drama on national TV. Oh wellllll I'm not judging the mom's but a free handout of that kind of money would make it easier I am sure...

Oliver - posted on 03/26/2011

Yes i totally agree. They make it look like it is all fun in games you might get a cloudy day once in a while but it really life we have a lot more trouble taking care of our kids and working and on top of that school

Amber - posted on 03/26/2011

to brittany lang...they make 65,000 a season...so for the first season of 16 and pregnant and teen mom would have made at least $260,000 including the current season being filmed for the past 3 years...that is why they have nice cars furniture etc....i dont know why they cant control their money...does kailynn really need a second job if she has made $130,000 for two seasons?



I love watching the shows...but I too hate the way they portray us teen moms...they should have a diverse group of individuals not screw ups like janelle and amber the only thing they are showing is how not to parent your child



they show the worst case scenarios except for a select few



however i love me some drama watching and tv yelling at so i watch them religiously and wish my family could have been on it...i was 16 and pregnant when the first season of 16 and pregnant started being filmed...wish i would have known about it cuz i sure as hell would have let them film my pregnancy to make an easy buck

Anna - posted on 03/25/2011

I don't find it over glorifying, but it does understate sometimes, too. I had my first at 15. So I am very well aware of the hardships. It was tough, but I was lucky to have help, too. Let me know if you want to talk about it more.

Noelia - posted on 03/24/2011

I agree with sabra, I was 16 when I have my first son, and it was hard bc I have to work and go to school and take care of my son, but I TAKE CARE OF HIM, I breastfeed him until him was 16 month, I was there for his first steeps, first words, I didn't have my hair done, or make up, or my nails done, I buy my stuff on goodwill, my weekend was on chuck e cheese, playgrounds etc, NO concerts, dico, party, restourant etc.

I love being a mom, is the most wonderful joy in life.

those shows don't show the real life of a teen mom they just show drama, and that what people want to see.

Faith - posted on 03/23/2011

i think it glamorizes in some ways. My mother in law is a midwife and there are teens getting pregnant/wanting to get pregnant just to be on the shows. It discusts me. i had my 1st baby at 19 and it was hard. now im a single mother of 2. I dont think it glamorizes teen pregnancy in a way as well. becuase all the health issues baby ali has and the relationship issues, and the way janelle acts.

Sabra - posted on 03/23/2011

I disagree Brittany I find that's all they show is the crap they go through very little of what they show is actually good stuff especially in teen mom 2. Its not all bad being a teen mom. Yeah its hard but they don't show the joys of being a parent barely at all. You don't see the parents down on the floor playing with their kids or them laughing and smiling. I don't think they glamorize it at all but I do think they are making the stereotype worse. They don't choose the good parents who actually work hard and maintain a relationship and love and care for their child and when they do pick them like maci or leah they don't get as much air time as the one's who are terrible parents because the bad parents make for better T.V. For some reason people like to watch other people fail.

Kara - posted on 03/23/2011

i have watched it a couple of times but i am a teen mum my self i was 16 when i feel pregnet with my first child and i am 18 in october and my second is due in november it shows people how hard it is but we all have to take a step back and think that it is a tv show on mtv i know that it is all real but. every ones expirance is diffrent if they are a teenage mum

Megan - posted on 03/23/2011

I love Maci too, she's my all-time favourite teen mom.

Brittany - posted on 03/23/2011

I hate most of the moms on there because of their irresponsibility. One of the girls from the first season of 16 & pregnant said that the MTV camera people and whatever purposely start shit between the couples because it's good TV. They've also been finding that some girls are getting pregnant on purpose to be on the show. I don't think most of the moms on the shows were trying to glamorize it and MTV just wanted to make money but in the end it ended up being a show about how great being a teen mom is. If you get in the situation you can make the best of it and turn it in to something good but it's not an ideal situation to be in and girls need to realize that. I love the shows because they're so outrageous but at the same time I hate them because they show the best of the best...they don't show a girl getting kicked out because her parents disowned her, or a girl that was abandoned by the baby's father and now she has to struggle to care for her child, they don't show how much harder life is since it's difficult to go to college to get a good job, there are just a lot of factors that the cameras don't reveal.

Brooke - posted on 03/23/2011

The only mother I have seen eye to eye with in a way is Maci, this is because she puts bentley first.. she still tries to have a good time but if it isn't in the best interest of her child then she just lets the moment pass.. I think a lot of the others are selfish..
It some aspects yes it is glamourised.. where do they get there cars from? what about that nice furniture? how do they get the time to constantly get nails and hair done etc..
These shows are embarrassing for other teen parents.

Cassandra - posted on 03/23/2011

well i had a baby at 17! and i finished high school. right after high school my baby got diagnosed with neuroblastoma [cancer stage 4]. verrryyy serious. and now she is 5 years old, lost her vision because of it all and we have another baby boy and i am married to there father and we are still happy. we are doing fine and life couldnt be better. i do watch teen mom and 16 and pregnant. juss to see how there lives are with it i guess. and i think it does show teens whats its like or could be like.

Stephanie - posted on 03/23/2011

I have watched 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom, Teen Mom 2 since the first episodes. I feel that as a teen parent myself it portrays Teen pregnancy as the new fad! Its ridiculous! Some of the mothers on these shows are just Ridiculous and don't care! Some of the parents on the other hand are great parents and definately prove people wrong with the stereotype of a teen mom!

Kacy - posted on 03/23/2011

I love the show, never miss an episode. I don't think they make it look easy or fun. They show what they give up and how hard it is. But it also shows adults who look down on us who had kids young that yea some teen moms are in over their head but a lit of them do what they have to for thei baby and how much we can be good parents to!

Tina - posted on 03/22/2011

I think they just show the minority group of young woman that drink, do drugs and that are just irresponsable which makes it hard for everyone. But that goes for all different societies in life. It's the people that do the wrong thing that make it look bad for everyone else. I just think if anyone feels they've been judged unfairly they need to state that if someone says you're irresponsible because of your age, set them straight.

Megan - posted on 03/22/2011

You all make valid points.I think that the show would be more effective if it was done more like a documentary than a reality show. If it was on TLC or HGTV or channels like that, it would send a better message and more accurately protray thier life as a young mom. The girls they choose are normally the ones that give teen moms a bad name because that's what brings in viewers: Drama. I think they should have a more diverse set of young moms, and have it be, like April said, more like a documentary.

Britny; Good point, bringing up the difference in cultures. It really shows how much society has an impact on you, depending on where your living. In another country, where teen marriage and pregnancy is expected, you wouldn't ge tthe same looks as you would for being married with a baby at 16, 17, 18 in the United States or Canada.

I think they cheat the audience by not covering all the bases of the girls' lives, and by editing it so much. It doesn't show you the truth of being a mom, as it's originally meant to.

April - posted on 03/21/2011

I don't watch those shows. I don't think they should make shows like that on a channel like MTV. I know they edit those shows like mad to make everything a bigger deal then it is, they don't show the whole story.



IMO if they want to make tv shows like that they should do it in such a way that you see exactly what it's like to have a child as a teenager. Show the good parents and also the hardships they go through. Documentary like.



I have a feeling those shows only show teens acting like idiots who don't take care of their kids and it's full of drama, drama, drama. Whatever sells right? But what type of message are they giving out to other people? They enforce that stereotype, and people wonder why older people think teens are bad parents.

Britny - posted on 03/21/2011

ive been watching on and off for a while, im 17 - 18 in a month and currently expecting my first child in 2 months, i was interested to see what this 'teen mom' show was about.. the reality of the show and underlining goal is to show young girls that having it isnt as simple as carring around a baby born doll and for it to be all sweet as pie. these girls on the show are ll individuals willingly showing some different problems you can run into having a child at a young age.. Like school.. being treated as a child still yourself, male partners not being mature enough to respect the relationship and so on. I dont think there aim was to glamorize teen motherhood.. but yes indeed some young girls will turn around and get the wrong idea about it all, go out and get pregnant just because they saw it on TV.. I think educational shows like these get taken way out of proportion.. I also dont think that just because one is seen as a 'teen mum' that they are any less incapable of giving birth and raising a child on their own.. but nore should they be told "oh but you made this mistake of having this child time to go look after it for yourself" also this show is filmed in America.. Society is alot different in alot of different countrys.. in middle eastern countrys girls are expected to marry and have kids before the age that is socially acceptable in other countrys.

Hayley - posted on 03/21/2011

i love the show and i really do realite to some of the girls in alot of way , i dont think they glamourize it at all

Ashleigh Jade - posted on 03/21/2011

i hate these shows. Ive seen teen mom 2 a total of 2 times. No wonder people think all teen mums are immature, nieve etc. these girls are an embarrasment. I had my first child at 16, im now 21 with 3. These nieve teen mums on the show and the ones around like them, is why all the good younger mothers also get treated with disrespect by others. The girls i saw on the show disgust me to be honest.

Megan - posted on 03/21/2011

I agree with you there, they definately have a good example of hardships. I hink, personally the real problem is the publicity they recieve, and how they're almost always splayed across the tabloids. Some younger girls want the 'fame', and that's what's sad.

Christina - posted on 03/21/2011

I don't think they glamorize it at all. It shows one girl doing drugs, losing custody of her baby, ect. Leah's daughter has some major medical problems. Another girl's baby also had some sever medical problems. Most of the girls are no longer with the fathers and are fighting constantly with them. It is a pretty realistic look on how hard it is. Most of the girls did not finish school.