16 and pregnant

[Daydreamer]

So I wanted to ask you guys what you thought of the show 16 and pregnant? Personally I love to watch it but I think that it probably makes young girls think that having a baby is a lot easier than it really is, but some people argue that it's education people and making them NOT want a baby. What do you guys think? Also do you think it's realistic? Or totally scripted? Just curious

[Algernon]

One of the stupiest shows around. I change the channel when It comes on. I hate watching how horrible and immature they are with their children.

[ashleyinlovex3]

It scared the hebee gebeesz outta me! I love the show though! I watched it all the time the first season, i hate this season none of the males stay with thier baby's momma..

[The Kira]

I think it's stupid and infuinces young girls' opinions about motherhood negatively. Gives the wrong impression.

[FlyingTrue]

I watched 5 minutes of one episode one time by accident. It seems to glamorize teen pregnancy too much.

[ashleyinlovex3]

Yeaa it influenced me NOT to have any children till im like 30 or something LOL

[MadPoet]

Originally Posted by Algernon

I hate watching how horrible and immature they are with their children.

I agree that they're all extremely immature around their children. Especially the girls who seem to be more worried about friends and relationships than their baby. I already know how hard teenage pregnancy would be, and the show doesn't change my view on it. It just makes me 99% sure that if I were to accidentally become pregnant as a teenager, I'd do a much better job than half of them do.

[Jocelyn.]

It maybe scripted.. who knows, but I think it does a pretty good job at depicting life as a teen mother. I would just have to say if you think its glamorizing it, you aren't looking hard enough. It shows girls who have less than supportive boyfriends who end up having to do it on their own, who have to struggle to pay for formula/diapers/etc., who have to quit school and give up their dreams of college/etc., who struggle with trying to balance a normal teenage social life with having a baby (which they realize is impossible, or they become a bad mom pawning their baby off on their parents). Yes these girls are immature when handling their babies, because they are babies themselves. That's the point of the show. To convince teenagers that they are too immature to have children, and help convince them to wait until they're older.

I really don't see how anyone can say its glamorizing and influencing girls to have children. Yes, maybe it shows them loving and being happy with their babies at certain points in the show... but are they not allowed to do that? Loving your baby is encouraging it and glamorizing it?

[Stardaze]

Its in no way scripted. I talked to one of the girls as she was filming her episode.
I think sometimes it does glamorize teen pregnancy.
Although rarely it does show good ones.

[losing touch.]

I think it's the same girls.. but the (1st?) series of Teen Mom is on MTV over here at the moment. The one with Farrah, Amber, Caitlynn & Maci. I think it's a bit of a stupid programme but then again most of the programmes on MTV are these days..

[Hollifire]

It's one of my guilty pleasures. However, it does annoy me how most of the time the guy doesn't want anything to do with the Mother or the baby, or doesn't pitch in and help at all.

[.Brittany.]

I kinda of enjoy watching it, as it makes me feel kinda special for not being 16 and pregnant.

[Spellbound]

I've never really gotten into the show at all. I've caught it on TV a few times and I don't find it that interesting, plus I agree with Holly: They're incredibly immature with their children.

[Pelios]

I admit I watch it, but only to have a laugh with my sister...

[firecracker]

I think it's kind of a cool concept, but at the same time, it's so scripted and fake.

[footfoot]

Wait, for those of you that say it glorifies teen motherhood, in what way? The safest form of birth control for me so far has been simply my job as a nanny. I assume my experiences are not even remotely comparable to those of the girls on the show (because I get to go home at 10pm or 2am and take days off).

That is: I can't see the reactions or situations of the girls on the show as glorifying their decisions.

There was a show a while back on nbc or abc where they took young couples in early 20s or teens and had them care for babies, toddlers, preteens, and then teenagers. Sort of like chidcare in fast forward. It was not a great show, but it showed young couples who wanted kids at 15, 18, 22 get a taste of what their life would be like and whether they wanted that so immediately.

[Stardaze]

I remember that show on ABC a while back! lol.

Sadly this show is my guilty pleasure and every Tuesday at 7pm I'm watching MTV. The season finale is tonight though.

I feel as if it does sometimes glamorize teen pregnancy, but other times i think it does show what it's really like.

[Maloo]

I like the show, and I agree with what Angelina said. It really does show you how hard things are. If you haven't seen that, you either haven't really watched, or haven't watched it long enough.

[Briana]

I saw the first whole season of it and I agree with the show being a bad example to young girls. The teens freak out, because their social life has ended and their relationships end. They aren't caring for their kids.

[Stardaze]

You can't say they all don't care about their kids though. :/
I've seen really good episodes.

[Pelios]

Originally Posted by Angelina.

You can't say they all don't care about their kids though. :/
I've seen really good episodes.

Yes, the one I thought was the best so far is Lizzie, she is the most nature of all of them.

[Stardaze]

Yeah Lizzie's episode was really good.
Especially when her boyfriend cheated on her and she gave him the ring back. That just shows maturity. I think she was a good mother. (didn't want to go out and party, ect. )