TV shows 16 & Pregnant and Teen Mom

Sara - posted on 01/30/2010

I saw the first season. I think for some of the mothers it does show how hard it is but every family is different. I also saw the Pregnancy Pact and thought that they really took what happened out of context. They made it more hollywood. Anyway i think all the shows are for entertainment and not mostly to show how gard it is. But one thing is for sure once you beome a teen mom you know how hard it is.

Tiffany - posted on 01/30/2010

What I was getting at is that people are saying that show glamorizes it and makes it seem easy. Nothing about what those young moms are going through is even remotely easy!

Charlene - posted on 01/30/2010

Fayanne, where the heck did you come up with that rant?

I think you and Tiffany need to look over these posts again.

No one (that I really saw) said anything about teen moms being incapable of being a good mom or that they thought they were better than them.

I think it was more so insinuated that it's a lot HARDER for teen moms, not that they couldn't do it. And, for the most part, it is true.. it's much harder.

YOU were the one that brought that up, not anyone else.



For the record though, I am technically a 'teen mom' as well, as I was pregnant with my daughter at 18 and had her at 19.

Tiffany - posted on 01/30/2010

100% on your side Fayanne, I just believe some people think they are above young mothers and don't bother to see their side!

FayAnne - posted on 01/30/2010

WOW! I can't believe at what some of you people are saying!! To all you oh so wonderful mothers who waited until you were older, married, and has career that is great. That was the smart thing to do. But don't you dare sit there and insinuate that us young mothers cannot do just as good of a job as you can. And yes i am one of those young mothers who like some of the girls on the show am fortunate to have a wonderful family to provide me and my son with a home and help me financially but that does not mean i am a bad mother and it doesn't make parenting easy!!!! Of course i would love to do it all on my own with out any help at the moment i am looking to go back to school and will do so very soon. I am currently single and unemployed. I would love to work but i cant because i cannot afford $1,040/month for childcare. Maci in the show tried and tried. she was going to school online and working. And Farrah who agree with most is very immature and needs to get her head out of her ass and start spending time with her daughter but she works and goes to school. these girls work hard!!! In know way does this show glamorize parenting at a young age this show is everything i am going through and more and i don;t think my life is at all glamorous. My little boy makes everything all worth it. His smile, his laugh, his LIFE!!!! I am working just as hard as any of you other women out there so don't sit there and criticize us young parents. and thank you for asking this question i mean people have opinions i am not at all angry about people saying it is glamorous just please do not insinuate all young mother are terrible at parenting. And for any teenager out there who would sit there and get pregnant to be on t.v. well that just means that they would do anything to be on t.v. I mean does celebrity rehab glamorize being an addict? Are people going to watch it and say hey lets do drugs so we can be on t.v. That is just crazy

FayAnne - posted on 01/30/2010

I love that show! I'm hooked. I personally do not think it glamorizes it at all it really shows how tough it is to be a young mother. Being a young mother myself i really feel like it hits it right on the nose! I have talked to young girls in my area and after they watched the show they have decided to be safer about sex and they know for a fact that they are not ready for the huge responsibility that it is. Great job MTV for putting an educational show on for once unlike that stupid jersey shore that just makes Italians look bad.

Leslie - posted on 01/30/2010

I love these shows as well and while I am 27 now, I got pregnant with my daughter at 18 and had her at 19 I had been out of high school for a whole 3 months when I got pregnant so I can relate to losing out on some of the teenager experiences such as dorm life and college activities. While I was able to get my Bachelor's and my MBA it came much later for me. I think that these shows are important for teens and young girls to watch because I think it does show how much support is necessary from your family and how hard relationships are when a child is introduced. I think Catelynn and Tyler (the couple who chose adoption) this was a highlight to the entire show. Giving up a child you grew in your belly for 9 months is not glamorous and shows how hard the decision is. Also, I love that they continued to follow them in Teen Mom because it shows that the decision still very much affects them on a daily basis regardless of the fact that the baby was not with them. I watch this show with my 8 year old daughter and we discuss how hard raising a baby is and all of the things that she would miss out on if she had one as a teenager.

Danica - posted on 01/30/2010

I love these shows. Yeah, they're a little dramatic and extreme at times but it wouldn't be a tv show if they weren't. Every story is different and it shows how every situation can be different. It shows young girls a little bit of what teen motherhood and pregnancy can really be like if they have never been exposed to it before. It shows the ups and the downs and the hardships of being in unstable relationships and being a single mother at a young age, even what it's like to give a baby up for adoption and live with that decision. Like a previous poster mentioned, as long as you talk to your kids before they watch (if you were to let them) it can be a good reality check for some kids, and maybe better than never seeing anything at all. I don't know who could watch this and feel encouraged to have a baby at a young age, I definitely think it pushes in the other direction.

Jennifer - posted on 01/30/2010

I WATCH THAT TOO BEEN WATCHING IT SINCE IT STARTED....

Stacy - posted on 01/30/2010

yeah I watch the show too.I feel that way also.

Connie - posted on 01/30/2010

I too am torn on what to think of them.. on one hand i think it shows teenagers that life isnt easy with a baby..but on the other hand the girls always seem to be "bailed" out of their problems.. leading other girls to think there is an easy solution to everything that will happen. I think they need to show more of the the struggles us mothers go through regardless of our ages.. like lack of sleep, and money issues and balancing friends and family with being a mom, and holding a job. I think Farrah's story is the one who makes it look the easiest cuz shes going out and having fun and working and gets to be a mother when she feels like it and i would hate for girls to think thats reality or the way things will be for them if they had a baby.

Jennifer - posted on 01/30/2010

I watched 16 and pregnant and teen mom and I am so glad that these shows are here for the younger generation to see. I was a teen mom and became pregnant with my daughter at 17. The friends I had around me were always so envious of my having a baby but they didnt get to see all the struggles. They werent up with me at 3 in the morning and didnt see the money problems and the struggles of living with my mother raising a baby by myself its hard work. I do feel some of the teen moms have it more easy then others because their parents may have money and do help them a lot but the relationship struggles and the struggles of being a kid to being a parent are pretty right on.

People who have had a child at a very early age can watch this show and relate. In a way I cant relate to every single girl on there and I feel what they are going through because I went through the same exact thing. I cant wait for the next season of 16 and pregnant.

Laura - posted on 01/30/2010

i watch the show. I think it is interesting. I dont think they glamourize it though. It is what it is. Some have their parents help but others struggle to pay the rent or buy diapers. I just hope young girls thinking of having a baby watch the show and see it is no joke having a child. Your whole life will change. Its raw and real and wish all the girls the best of luck

Melissa - posted on 01/30/2010

i think it is a good show as a young mum myself it shows that it isnt easy being a young mum and i dont think it glamourizes it it shows the ups and downs and the problems that it can cause in families and that not all young mums are bad mums

Brooke - posted on 01/29/2010

I don't understand why so many people hate to see teenage parenthood being glamourised.. Not all teenagers are incapable of raising a child nor doing it well. I know plenty who are doing great at raising there child/children. Whilst i do not recommend 14,15,16 yr old girl getting pregnant or even having sex, I do think that ANY woman who has a child and steps up to the plate, who raises that child with love, who gives them everything they need and puts there child first is doing a great job.

Why does the teenage pregnancy keep coming up, get over it... Just think.. who raised these girls??

Charlie - posted on 01/29/2010

I think its just sad .

Anna - posted on 01/29/2010

Secret Life of an American Teen...love it...it makes you laugh, it makes you cry....but best of all it makes you stop and think....isn't that what makes a show good...I had my daughter when I was 19...now she is 19...she has grown into a beautiful young woman both inside and out...she laughs watching this show, she cries watching this show....but best of all it opens a door and starts us talking about sex...what more could a mother hope for but yet another avenue to walk down and explore with their daughter...does it glamourize being a mother, sure, but isn't being a mother sometimes glamorous...bottom line is it shows the down side of motherhood as well, so it is very well balanced and we will definitely be keeping it in our tv time!

Isobel - posted on 01/29/2010

Sorry Amber...If it's not hard, you are not doing it right

Kelsey - posted on 01/29/2010

I saw a commercial on another new show called the pregnancy pact, highschool girls getting pregnant on purpose. I have watched both the shows you mentioned, and even though they show how hard it is, I still think it glamourizes pregnancy and motherhood to teenagers. I have noticed that having babies has become somewhat of a trend as well, which is weird, wrong, and not good for teenage girls who can easily fall in love with having a baby, getting all the attention, buying baby stuff, and having someone love you. Some of these girls know its hard work to have a baby, but dont quite understand HOW hard, and just how much it would change their lives. Not that all teenage moms do it on purpose, but I think we would be surprised how many do! I think so many shows on it, and all the celebs getting pregnant (some girls obsess with celebs and see them as perfect) it will make the girls think about pregnancy and babies way more than is healthy, and it makes it seem so much more common and acceptable than it really is for a teenager to have a baby. I dont think the shows are all that WRONG though, they may do more good and prevention than Im assuming. All I know is I wouldnt want my daughter watching it. There are many more shows to pick from.

Nikki - posted on 01/28/2010

I am a watcher and find most episodes very emotional. I am not a teen nor was I a teen mom but I am positive if I was I would in no way find it glamorous to go through the things those girls have gone through. If anything I def. would not want to take the chance. I honestly don't think they should have made a second season with even more girls having babies though, because just like with any sequel to a movie the point of it just gets lost. But I guess we will see.

Emily - posted on 01/28/2010

I watch it & enjoy it & I'm going to watch season 2.

I myself was 16 when I had my first baby & 17 when I had my second (same dad & we are also still together been together for 12yrs & we are expecting baby #4 this June)

I understand what these young moms are going through

It is NOT glamorized it is HARD for those who choose to keep the child & HARDER for those who choose to give the child up for adoption with out the family support (like the one couple on the 1st season)

In my area there is a parent school so I was able to continue my schooling.
Being at that school with other moms, everything that was on that show I saw happening for real with girls in the school. You had a few, like me, who the father was with the mom & was involved 100% with the child, then there was those who were still together but the mom took care of the child while the dad hung out with friends & wasn't that much involve with the child & didn't help out that much (like a couple in the show) There was also A LOT of moms who was like a mom on the show who would leave the child with her mom & go out & party & some was trying to find a new guy. My opinion was & still is, if you chose to accept the responsibility to keep the child, you should change you social status & not go out every weekend, You should focus on the child, I think every other weekend or every once & awhile is fine, but not every weekend & again this in only MY opinion.

Again I don't think they made it glamorized, they showed the truth that it's hard & there are struggles into raising a child that young. Yes they may have focused on the most dramatic things in their life's, but what reality show doesn't.. They aren't going to put a couple on TV like how it was for me. Yes it was still hard, but for me I had 100% help from the father & from my family, yet I took on the responsibility & raised them & not my family. When I was 17 we got married, so when I had the 2 babies it was just me & him & it was hard but we made it. But like I said, they wont show a couple like us cuz like a comment I saw said young girls on the show will see & say "Hey they can do it ' or "they make it look easy, so I can do it"
Well it wasn't easy

MaryAnn - posted on 01/28/2010

The problem is that at 27, many young mothers who got pregnant in their mid teens and even their late teens, are no more mature than they were in their teens. I see it way too often and the children suffer. Tv shows that glamorize teen pregnancies by not showing all the drawbacks can be complicit in encouraging other teens to get pregnant. Little girls sometimes believe that having a baby is like having someone in your life who HAS to love you when the reality is the other way around. A baby is a huge responsibility and when anyone of any age has one, then their lives are no longer their own for the next 20 years or so.

Charlene - posted on 01/28/2010

Erm.. I think glamourizing was the wrong word..

I just mean that I was kind of worried that there are some really naive girls out there that think that maybe they too could be on Tv if they had a baby or that they may look at one of the girls (farrah) and think.. her life hasn't seemed to change much so maybe it's not THAT bad. I mean, of course not all young girls are going to see that and most of them will probably understand that it is most definitely hard I was just a little concerned about the rest.

Hopefully the majority of teens are able to take this show as a teaching tool.

Iysha - posted on 01/28/2010

I think that it's just tv and should be treated as such. There are real hardships shown, ther are some unrealistic parts...it's pretty much all over the spectrum. I am hoping that all teens are smart enough to know the difference between what is shown on tv and what can happen in their own lives. In school I learned that throughout history, the media portrays the views of the people at that particular time....things they believed in, things that scared them, things that were going on in the word that effected them. These shows are no different.

Stacy - posted on 01/28/2010

I like tis show but show girl on the show are glamourizing it.They should focus on the hardship not that i had a baby and pawn her on my family and going out with differnt guys.Not showing them shacking up and putting up with trobles of schooland working and still trying to prove for the babies.

Diana - posted on 01/27/2010

Would someone please define what you mean by glamorize, because if that show makes teen parenting look glamorous, then I missed something in the defintion, which I thought (and according to Webster's) means "exceedingly attractive." I don't see anything attractive about the way these teens are having to live their lives.

Janet - posted on 01/27/2010

As a mother of two girls who gave birth at 16 and 18, I love this show. I swear to god that Farrah is my second daughter to a tee. I watch it with my girls and it ofter generates some good conversations. This is an ongoing problem in our society and I applaude these girls for having the guts to show that there is nothing glamorous about having to raise a baby go to school and find a job.

Angel - posted on 01/27/2010

It is good that the teens can show some of the hard parts in raising a baby and how hard it can be. but I also think they do glamourize these shows, oh if I get pregnant I can get on this tv show and get rich off it. they need to show more the importance of education and how hard it is to raise a family even as an adult with 2 full time working parents. I think all those reality shows on the teens and even jon and kate plus 8 , 18 kids and counting. they make parenting look too easy for the most part. then they talk about how much money you make getting on one of these reality shows. and the state makes it so easy for kids to have babies. i think the parents and schools need to educate the kids better on sex and what life is really life to have kids.

Sarah - posted on 01/27/2010

i love the show. i am a teen mother and can relate to a lot of them.

Lisa - posted on 01/27/2010

I love them and don't think it glamorizes it at all! What's glamorous about living in a motel, fighting with your immature boyfriend who doesn't help parent, seeing all your friends go off to college without you and giving your child up for adoption? Like anywhere some of the girls are now trying to be responsible and rise to the challenge and some are complete brats who could care less...but very interesting nonetheless!

Tabitha - posted on 01/27/2010

I ABSOLUTLY LOV THIS SHOW IT HELP YOUNG GIRL TO SEE WHA THEY ARE IN FOR AND IT SHOWS THE STRENGTHS OF MOTHERS NO MATTER THEIR AGE LIMIT I RESPECT MANY OF THE MOTHERS ON THEIR WHO HAVE DONE WHAT THEY HAVE DONT FOR THEIR CHILDS BEST INTEREST KILEY I THINK HER NAME IS THE ONE WHO GAVE HER DAUGHTER UP FOR ADOPTION FOR HER BEST INTERST I RESPECT HER AND APPLAUD HER BY ALL MEANS...

Tiffany - posted on 01/27/2010

I'm hooked on the show, I don't believe it is a load of crap or that they are painting out the be a good thing. I believe they are showing teenagers what really happens when you have unsafe sex. Do you guys realize how many kids/teens are getting pregnant and having sex these days? I think this shows young couples who are sexually active plus those who think they are ready to have a baby that young, that it isn't a piece of cake. Plus it shows most situations, you have Farrah who doesn't have her babies daddy around at all but is lucky enough to have family to help her. Granted Farrah seems a bit spoiled she is still young and it shows what some people go through to realize that they have to grow up bc they had a child. They have Catelynn and Tyler who gave their baby up for adoption, they don't try to glam that up. These are teens who chose what was right for their baby to give their child the right life they didn't believe they could provide and it also shows how they have to live with that decision every day for the rest of their lives. Maci and Ryan show another way of living, she loves her child more than life and her bf doesn't care at all! He reminds me of my ex, I had my daughter when I was 19 and my ex is every bit the ass that Ryan is. Amber and Gary struggle just like the rest of them but they are both trying to put their daughter first. LOL told you I was hooked. My point is, this is a lesson to the girls who want to get pregnant or even a way to show the young mothers going through each situation, that they arn't alone. This is in no way saying everyone go out and get knocked up its so cool, they just documented the lives of a few teens who were pregnant and wanted to help out others. Think about the ones who are pregnant now thinking about adoption, Teen Mom shows them their options and gives them a real life view on it. As well as having a jerk/emotionally abusive baby daddy, and having to raise your child alone. I think this show is awesome and very well put together.

Diana - posted on 01/27/2010

I've seen a couple of episodes of the show, and I didn't think there was anything glamorous about it. It showed the failing relationship of a former high school cheerleader and her high school sweetheart, broken by his inability to be man enough to help her with the bills and take care of their son. He was constantly going out and leaving her to care for the baby until 3 a.m. It showed another mother struggling to get to her GED classes because she wouldn't accept help from her family (or couldn't, I don't know) and had broken up with her fiance, so she and her child were living in a rent-by-the-week hotel room. It showed a mother whose parents and sister were worried about the amount of time she was spending out on dates and doing things other than taking care of her daughter, and it showed a guy leave her because he wasn't ready for the seriousness of dating a girl with a baby. It showed a couple whose parents didn't support their decision to give up their baby for adoption, but who did what they thought was best anyhow so that their daughter could have a better life. I don't see anything glamorous about any of that. It sounds, and looks, plain and simple-difficult. Not exciting, not fun, not glamorous.

Samantha - posted on 01/27/2010

I know what you mean! I feel that teenage pregnancy is becoming a huge issue but I think it is because we are not educating our youth properly. I watch the show as well and I think that it is a good idea to show teenagers how hard it is to raise children but I also agree with you that it could glamorize it as well.

La - posted on 01/27/2010

I must admit that these shows are a guilty viewing pleasure of mine. I find most of the girls to be annoying and pretty flaky in general, however, I wouldn't say that it glamorizes what it's like to be a mom. The 3 that kept their babies have constant relationship problems, have to juggle work and school with caring for their children, and seem to be constantly miserable. The one that gave her baby up for adoption has her own family issues plus the constant grief of giving her baby away. None of it seems glamorous to me...I wouldn't want to be any of them.

Delia - posted on 01/27/2010

I like the idea of the show; showing how each girl is dealing with it. It also gives us (parents) an opportunity to talk to our children about it (boys and girls alike). Weither it's on TV or not; kids are still having sex at earlier and earlier ages. I think any avenue to open decussion with our kids is good.

Sara - posted on 01/27/2010

I don't think it's glamourizing it at all, it looks really hard to me! As a teen, if I had seen this show, I wouldn't be in a big hurry to have a baby! I mean, it shows one mom that had to give up college to stay home with her baby, and another mom who is struggling to get her GED and hates the father, whom she thought she loved. I don't really see that as glamourizing having a baby. I admit, watching this show is one of my guilty pleasures.

Sharon - posted on 01/27/2010

I don't even watch them, what a steaming load of crap. So called "reality" shows are never anything close to reality.

Michelle - posted on 01/27/2010

I have always been very open and honest about how life will drastically change for my girls if they were to get pregnant in school, before married, while still in college. My 14 year old and I watch The Secret Life together and I use it as a great tool to explain to her what she should and should not be doing. Use the tools that tv puts out their...while they may be looking to exploit or dramatize it, use it for better. Life isn't all pretty and roses, but a lot of it is what you choose to make of it. Don't shelter your children, but don't think that they and their friends don't talk about stuff if they aren't talking about it with you.

Crystal - posted on 01/26/2010

I love those shows, although they do kind of give the wrong idea. I wonder how many teens will get pregnant now just to be on tv?

Charlene - posted on 01/26/2010

I really do like the show, don't get me wrong.. but sometimes I find it hard to believe some of the things these girls do.. well I guess mostly just Farrah. I think that any teenage girl watching her would get the impression that it's 'not so bad'. I mean, she was six months pregnant and more worried about going on a date than anything else. WTF?! And then after she had the baby, she was working, going to school and still felt that she should be dating and doing whatever she wanted? I mean, you hardly ever see that girl with her child. I partially blame her parents for that too, because even though they try to tell her that she needs to focus on Sophia and spending time with her instead of dating, they STILL give in and watch her! Why not tell her no, they won't watch her? /rant

I absolutely LOVE Catelynn and Ryan though. I think they are the best part of the show. They chose to give up their baby and it shows that even though they may not be raising her, it's still a very hard thing to do and it affects them every day.



I'm kind of disappointed that I don't have MTV so I don't get to watch it anymore. :(

Tah - posted on 01/26/2010

at leah,, it is so different, at 27 i'm sure you are farther along in education and maturity then 16 and 17 year old girls and guys..i was a teen mom....got pregnant my first time had my son at 16 and managed to finish high school on time, got a job, 2 actually put my self through school and i still 13 years later get no finacial help from my sons father, i moved out at 18 and have been blessed not to have to ever have moved back home up until this point, i am happily married now and have 3 children but i see things that are going on and fights and arguments that i have had and i don't think it glamorizes it, anybody who wants to go through what these girls goes through needs counseling, drop outs, no money for diapers, boyfriends that dont support you..yeah..fun times

Mandy - posted on 01/26/2010

I love both shows and am excited about the new season as well. I, personally, don't think it glamorizes teen pregnancy at all and that's what I liked most about it! It shows how having a baby so young can cause you to have to let go of your career aspirations, struggle through high school and college, work hard to make ends meet, put a toll on your relationship, and hurt your social life. The things that those girls go through are not easy, and some whine and moan about it and some step up to the challenge. But no one is living a glamorous life with no problems. One couple even gave their baby up for adoption and I think they are so mature beyond their years, but they do show the struggles that even this couple has with not being a part of their daughter's everyday life. I wish the teens I know would watch it before making the decision to have sex and/or bring a baby into this world.

Lea - posted on 01/26/2010

I just hate that it is called TEEN mom. Yes, I get that they are teenagers, however, I am 27 and just had a baby 12 weeks ago and I see myself having the same issues as these girls which brings me to think that being a FIRST TIME mom is no different than being a TEEN mom. Now, I do love watching the show because of the fact that I can relate to them which helps me feel less lonely in the world. The point of the show is to show teenage girls how hard it is to be a teen mom but for me it has an entirely different meaning, so I take the good with the bad on this one.

Ellen - posted on 01/26/2010

I have watched this show WITH my daughters and pointed out to them what is reality and what is not.

Amber - posted on 01/26/2010

they are overexaggerating like crazy. it is NOT that hard. i do watch that show all the time though lol. but still, its wrong to make it seem so hard when it is not.

Jodye - posted on 01/26/2010

I think that it does glamorize it some but it kinda does show what you go through being a mommy! My son is almost 9 months old now and I am working a full-time job and going to school and taking care of him so yes it is hard work but I would not trade the world for it.

Crystal - posted on 01/26/2010

Okay Yes being a mother is very hard work I know I had my 1st son worked a full time job and went to shcool full time at night, But We choose to raise a child the way we see fit best, And if they want to be happy and proud about why not let them? If they treat it like its sunshine and all that so called "glamourizing" why not let them ALL of the Teenage girl that are haveing sex anit that dumb they know its hard work

Rosie - posted on 01/26/2010

i don't think it teaches anything realistically, except for the teens that gave their baby up for adoption. that story i like. the other ones, i don't remember their names, are just ridiculous. there's one who has a daughter that her parents take care of all the time, she goes out and parties and treats her parents like shit. i honestly don't see how anybody could see that girl as a good parent, but then you would have the impressionable teen who would feel the same way as her and sympathize, and think that's how it should be or something. also the bad relationships between 2 couples on there, some see it and might think, well, that's not how my relationship would be. teens have blinders on alot of the times, and think they would be able to do it.

i do find it interesting, but not for a teenager. i don't think it glamourizes it, i just don't think alot of teenagers think like i do, and would perceive stories on it differently than i would.

Brittany - posted on 01/26/2010

in some ways i see it as being good...showing the parents that gave their baby up for adoption...showing the parents that actually give up things to take care of their children. but then again...there are some parents that are still doing anything they want and pawning the baby off on other people. its not a horrible show for entertainment...but it definitely doesnt show everything a mother has to do...