Sixteen and Pregnant

[Upgradable]

Has anyone else seen this show?? I''m SOOOOOO disturbed by it! I''m thinking of standing at the doors to my kid''s school and handing out free condoms!!!!

 

[Indylady]

I''ve seen this show. MTV has so much sexually charged programming, that I think it is an interesting idea to develop programming that shows the other side.

I do feel like these young women are being somewhat exploited, but they are also signing up for it. Imagine how hard it is to be a 16 year old mom...on top of that, you have a camera crew following you around capturing every moment of it? It sounds like a stressful situation.

 

[ArtistJess]

Yeah, I''ve seen it. I can''t imagine how I''d feel if I were in that situation.

Did you see the one last week where the mom and boyfriend were fighting in the delivery room while the girl was in labor? Yikes.

 

[lyra]

I watched season 1. Basically, the only "good" ending so far has been the couple who put their baby up for adoption. Otherwise, it does paint a fairly realistic picture of what the situation would be like. Yes, it is exploitive, and I would hope that no girl got the idea to become famous by "getting" on this show. Mostly all of the "dads" are unreliable.

 

[cara]

It *is* really disturbing, especially as the average 16 yro that ends up pregnant is not usually the most responsible of her peers. And the boyfriends of these girls.... oh my. Even the ones that stick around somewhat, they are kids themselves!

I saw one where the girl and her boyfriend were giving the baby up for adoption, and wow it was heartbreaking. Even though they clearly were doing a good thing and knew it. The girl's mom (ie. grandma) didn't approve (of the adoption) and wasn't there to support her daughter through it all - I was like, wow. Well, someone has to be the adult here, glad the 16 yro girl is up to the challenge. And her bf was sweet, if looking way too young to have any business raising a child.

But some of the other girls are clearly in way over the heads on the growing up too-fast scale. Even if they get the mechanics of baby-rearing (staying up with them, diapers, feeding), the other adult life things seem super-hard with their situation. Cars, jobs, money, school, friends that disappear or can't relate, etc. And it seems the interactions with the teen's parents are really challenging. Obviously its got to be really hard on the parents if your teen ends up pregnant and now you have to help support a baby you didn't plan on (unless you kick them out) but its hard hard hard all around.

Anyway, it is a touch exploitative, in that I don't think the girls know what they are getting into when they sign up. They can't really. But it is also quite *human* in its portrayals. And educational to some extent? Not all peaches and creams ever after. I would love to see follow ups farther out - say in a couple years to see how its panned out a little farther removed. Hopefully there would be some good stories mixed in with the less good.

 

[Upgradable]

Totally agree with all of the comments! One of the things I find so jarring is the lack of understanding from the majority of teens (and some of the parents) regarding the realities associated with bringing another life into the world! One of the "Oh no, you didn''t just say that!" moments I had was when one of the girls said she wasn''t going to breastfeed because she didn''t want her boobs to sag. I''m screaming at the TV, "if that''s your biggest worry right now, you are in store for a whole new technicolor dose of reality!!!"

 

[elrohwen]

I watched both last season and this season (in addition to Teen Mom, where they continued to follow the first season moms as the kids grew). It is very sad! I hope that other teens are watching and learning something.

Surprisingly, I heard a lot of backlash that the first season glorified teen pregnancy and made girls think it wasn't so bad

I didn't really get that impression - it seemed pretty honest to me. Definitely no glorification. But I dunno, parents were mad. I think this prompted the Teen Mom sequel as a way to show the true hardships this young parents faced.

eta: The girl and her bf who gave their baby up for adoption, last season, got engaged on Teen Mom (though they plan to wait for a few years before marrying). They were really, by far, the most mature of the group and had the best relationship. It was heartbreaking to watch them struggle after the adoption - they think about their baby constantly, but know they did the right thing.

I also give a lot of credit to Maci, from season 1. Her bf ended up being kind of a loser (mostly immature, didn't seem like a completely horrible person) but she seems like a great mom. She's not one to leave her kid with her parents while she goes out clubbing and she seems to have really taken to motherhood. I respect her a lot

 

[Upgradable]

I am glad they show a realistic view of childbirth! Not the "ooh, I''ve got a contraction. we must run to the hospital where five minutes later they''ll hand me this beautiful pink cherub who smiles and bats its pretty wide eyes at me" view of birth most tv shows adhere to.

Although, they don''t seem to give these mom-to-be''s ANY prenatal education classes or counselling!

 

[E B]

It's a guilty pleasure of mine.

One thing I've noticed is that so far, the "fathers" this season are completely worthless. In season one, with the exception of Maci's boyfriend/Bentley's "father," the boys seemed to step up.

I was very impressed by the couple who put their daughter up for adoption. They both seemed incredibly level-headed given their situation and the pressure from their parents to keep her.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I watch it (and "Teen Mom") because I love me some good reality TV. Like other posters have said I think it is good that the program gives a realistic view of how difficult being pregnant, labor, and being a mom really is. I cannot even imagine having a baby at 16. Many of these girls are EXTREMELY lucky IMHO to have such involved parents and strong support systems. The "dads" do make me sad. I just hope that as the baby grows and the boys mature they can step up and be good fathers.

 

[Sabine]

This season makes me really sad for those girls and for a large portion of our society in general, much more so than the first season for some reason. These girls are victims of their emotions, their environment, their parents, their own poor choices, etc.

Speaking of...did anyone happen to see the Lifetime Movie Pregnancy Pact about the girls in MA who supposedly all wanted to get pregnant at the same time?

It''s things like this that make me feel sheltered. I mean, I grew up in a small suburban town, but while most people I knew in HS were having sex, no one WANTED to get pregnant, and I didn''t know any girls that believed their bf''s would stay with them and marry them if they did get pregnant. I think most of the girls thought getting pregnant was one heck of a big deal and one of the worst things that could happen to them.

 

[IloveAsschers13]

I really like this show. I do not think that most of the girls on the show got pregnant because they WANTED to. They didn''t understand the risks of not wearing condoms, which I feel is pretty impossible these days. I really commend the couple from MI who gave up their daughter for adoption- I sob every time I see that episode or updates from them. The girls this season seem as though they really don''t understand the repercussions of getting pregnant- I can''t STAND the ignorance and disrespect they show their parents (mothers specifically) about "still being a teenager" and going out with their friends and thinking they can support themselves, when they can''t do any of those things.

I saw the movie Pregnancy pact and i HONESTLY do not understand what kind of teenagers, at that age, think it''s okay to get pregnant on purpose. I mean come on, in that town they had access to internet and all you have to do is search teen pregnancy and see the things that come along with it. I thought that movie was stupid and the parents in the movie actually pissed me off even worse. EDUCATE YOUR CHILDREN. We all mostly have health class.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I found the movie "Pregnancy Pact" SOOO disturbing. I cannot even BEGIN to understand those girls'' motives.

 

[Upgradable]

Date: 2/28/2010 4:10:25 PM
Author: IloveAsschers13
I really like this show. I do not think that most of the girls on the show got pregnant because they WANTED to. They didn''t understand the risks of not wearing condoms, which I feel is pretty impossible these days. I really commend the couple from MI who gave up their daughter for adoption- I sob every time I see that episode or updates from them. The girls this season seem as though they really don''t understand the repercussions of getting pregnant- I can''t STAND the ignorance and disrespect they show their parents (mothers specifically) about ''still being a teenager'' and going out with their friends and thinking they can support themselves, when they can''t do any of those things.

I saw the movie Pregnancy pact and i HONESTLY do not understand what kind of teenagers, at that age, think it''s okay to get pregnant on purpose. I mean come on, in that town they had access to internet and all you have to do is search teen pregnancy and see the things that come along with it. I thought that movie was stupid and the parents in the movie actually pissed me off even worse. EDUCATE YOUR CHILDREN. We all mostly have health class.

I think this is part of the problem! The way the educational system is structured today gives kids no idea that what they "learn" in the seats has/will have any application to life as they know it. I know I''m in danger of soapboxing here, but the whole No Child Left Behind has restricted how and what teachers do in the classroom so that all of the students will be able to pass the End Of Instruction tests. There can be no more crossover of skills, or real life applications, (ie. learning fractions by baking a cake) because that is not how the skill will be assessed by the state! Stop me now! I have a son with special needs and they have to measure his performance against district goals, not overall progress or ability to apply concepts.

H U G E P R O B L E M I N A M E R I C A

 

[Blair138]

Date: 2/28/2010 4:42:14 PM
Author: Upgradable

Date: 2/28/2010 4:10:25 PM

Author: IloveAsschers13

I really like this show. I do not think that most of the girls on the show got pregnant because they WANTED to. They didn't understand the risks of not wearing condoms, which I feel is pretty impossible these days. I really commend the couple from MI who gave up their daughter for adoption- I sob every time I see that episode or updates from them. The girls this season seem as though they really don't understand the repercussions of getting pregnant- I can't STAND the ignorance and disrespect they show their parents (mothers specifically) about 'still being a teenager' and going out with their friends and thinking they can support themselves, when they can't do any of those things.


I saw the movie Pregnancy pact and i HONESTLY do not understand what kind of teenagers, at that age, think it's okay to get pregnant on purpose. I mean come on, in that town they had access to internet and all you have to do is search teen pregnancy and see the things that come along with it. I thought that movie was stupid and the parents in the movie actually pissed me off even worse. EDUCATE YOUR CHILDREN. We all mostly have health class.

I think this is part of the problem! The way the educational system is structured today gives kids no idea that what they 'learn' in the seats has/will have any application to life as they know it. I know I'm in danger of soapboxing here, but the whole No Child Left Behind has restricted how and what teachers do in the classroom so that all of the students will be able to pass the End Of Instruction tests. There can be no more crossover of skills, or real life applications, (ie. learning fractions by baking a cake) because that is not how the skill will be assessed by the state! Stop me now! I have a son with special needs and they have to measure his performance against district goals, not overall progress or ability to apply concepts.


H U G E P R O B L E M I N A M E R I C A

Upgradable I am a teacher and you just described my biggest issues. I teach Family and Consumer Sciences where I actually DO teach fractions by baking and cooking and I teach sex ed (not in the same class) and my classes are seen as worthless by some 'in power' it is a fight but I know what I teach is necessary because not all children will go to college, but they will need to be on their own at some point in life and utilize these things.

As far as Teen Mom & 16 and Pregnant-I discuss this in my classes with sex ed because it is REAL LIFE. And I do have teen mothers in my classes who share their experiences. I don't use scare tactics, but I try to give them real life applications and examples because sex=babies & STD's, something a lot of my students don't get because their mom and dad aren't educating them either!

 

[Upgradable]

God bless you, Blair!! And I think ESPECIALLY the kids going to college will need you!! It took me until I was almost 25 to get a grip on the concept of self-sufficiency!! I used to be such an educational elitist.

It took having a son with Down syndrome to "get" what life is really about!

 

[jewelz617]

I think it''s a great show. It doesn''t glamorize having a baby while a teenager. It might make some girls think twice before having unprotected sex.

IMO, teen pregnancy is not always something that needs to be judged or looked on with scorn. There are plenty of teen mothers who do a fantastic job and are wonderful mothers, who work and go to school and don''t live off assistance. It''s not an ideal situation, but it doesn''t need to be a tragedy. People do way worse things with their life than becoming young parents.

 

[cara]

I think the Glouster, Mass teen pregnancy pact (ie. the 'real' inspiration for the Pregnancy Pact movie) was exaggerated to some degree.

But teens intentionally getting pregnant does happen. Generally if they have bleak life goals and few other realistic role models in their life, or are making bad decisions for emotional reasons (ie, keep their boyfriend around or get attention +/- from the pregnancy/being a mom.) I read a newspaper article on two teenage sisters whom both decided to get pregnant so that their parents would be more accepting of their boyfriends. They were undocumented immigrants and had little to look forward to in their life. Guess what, their parents *were* more accepting of their boyfriends once they were fathers to their grandkids, and both boys stuck around. One sister dropped out of school to watch the kids, while the other stayed in school and somewhat regretted her choice. But really sad that these girls didn't have other things in their life that motivated them and actually thought their lives would be better with children when they were so young themselves.

 

[Bliss]

OMG! I watched part of the last season, too.

I felt like most of the young moms really got it and worked around their hardships as well as they could. It's hard to watch because they don't get to experience so many things their peers do, like going to college. They really do sacrifice a great deal. I think out of the 4 teens featured, one was unable to get her GED and the other two weren't able to go to college with their friends so they were struggling with online courses. You can tell these young women love their children....but gosh, it must be so hard for them to catch up in terms of lifestyle, education and self discovery that having a baby so young doesn't allow you to do easily.

I really commend Catelyn and Tyler - the couple who put their baby up for adoption. They said it was the most selfless thing they could do and that they knew they wouldn't be able to give their daughter the life she deserved. It must have been so hard - especially with Tyler's father who was in and out of prison always screaming at them to keep the baby... of course, they didn't want to raise their baby in that kind of environment so they did what they had to do out of love for their child. So mature at such a young age. I was really amazed.

 

[jewelz617]

Date: 2/28/2010 5:37:11 PM
Author: Bliss
OMG! I watched part of the last season, too.

I felt like most of the young moms really got it and worked around their hardships as well as they could. It's hard to watch because they don't get to experience so many things their peers do, like going to college. They really do sacrifice a great deal. I think out of the 4 teens featured, one was unable to get her GED and the other two weren't able to go to college with their friends so they were struggling with online courses. You can tell these young women love their children....but gosh, it must be so hard for them to catch up in terms of lifestyle, education and self discovery that having a baby so young doesn't allow you to do easily.


I really commend Catelyn and Tyler - the couple who put their baby up for adoption. They said it was the most selfless thing they could do and that they knew they wouldn't be able to give their daughter the life she deserved. It must have been so hard - especially with Tyler's father who was in and out of prison always screaming at them to keep the baby... of course, they didn't want to raise their baby in that kind of environment so they did what they had to do out of love for their child. So mature at such a young age. I was really amazed.

I love them. They are so great together, and Tyler stuck by Catelynn through thick and thin. I literally cried when he proposed.

It really didn't sit well with me when the adoption agent kept pressuring them to stop taking pictures and give the adoptive parents the baby. I mean she didn't leave them alone at all. I know she wanted to make sure they weren't going to back out, but it was so insensitive. The girl just met the person she has been carrying for 9 months only to hand her over to strangers, let her take the time she needs...

It was so emotional when Tyler was holding Catelynn right after the baby was born and saying "We can do this, we can do this, it's for her." Waterworks in my house, let me tell you

I can't STAND Farrah. She makes teen moms look like the stereotype

 

[Bliss]

Date: 2/28/2010 2:36:06 PM
Author: Upgradable
Totally agree with all of the comments! One of the things I find so jarring is the lack of understanding from the majority of teens (and some of the parents) regarding the realities associated with bringing another life into the world! One of the 'Oh no, you didn't just say that!' moments I had was when one of the girls said she wasn't going to breastfeed because she didn't want her boobs to sag. I'm screaming at the TV, 'if that's your biggest worry right now, you are in store for a whole new technicolor dose of reality!!!'

I agree! It is really amazing how much PSers stress about if we're ready to have a baby... to get all the right things ready for the child and his/her future, college education & etc. And then there are teens having babies without a thought as to how they're going to care for their child. What would happen if their parents stopped paying the bills? In one of the episodes, one of the teen dads gets into a big fight with the mom because he literally didn't have one dollar to buy cake mix at the dollar store. I don't remember his name, but he's the one who refuses to get a job...not even to take care of his child.

ETA:
PinkAsscher, I was literally in awe of Catelynn and Tyler. I'm with you on that one! Awe.

 

[Bella_mezzo]

I love this show, and teen mom b.c I am a sucker for reality TV (embarassing I know but also b/c it is really interesting to see these girls as the reality of motherhood sets in.

I haven''t had time to see this season''s (though I plan to catch it on re-runs

) but I did see teen mom.

Catelynn and Tyler just seem like amazing kids, esp. since their home lives/parents are so horrible. It was clear how much they loved their daughter and what a difficult decision it was for them to give her up for adoption (but also incredible to see the love her adoptive parents have for her). I really hope that Catelynn adn Tyler continue to grow-up and pursue their dreams and get married!

Maci also seems like a great mom, though her baby daddy was horrible!!!!

 

[Miss Sparkly]

you can watch it on MTV.com. I love reality tv too much too!

 

[Upgradable]

Date: 2/28/2010 7:20:34 PM
Author: Sparkly Blonde
you can watch it on MTV.com. I love reality tv too much too!

That''s where I''m going right now, to catch up. It seems they also have a recap/reunion show to take a look at their lives a bit down the road.

 

[JulieN]

I love 16 and Pregnant! Being surrounded by intellectual elites my whole life, it actually made me realize how (highly) functional someone with an average IQ is. I felt sorry for Ebony, who couldn''t go into the Air Force.

 

[Miss Sparkly]

Date: 2/28/2010 7:36:02 PM
Author: JulieN
I love 16 and Pregnant! Being surrounded by intellectual elites my whole life, it actually made me realize how (highly) functional someone with an average IQ is. I felt sorry for Ebony, who couldn''t go into the Air Force.

Ouch

 

[y2kitty]

Date: 2/28/2010 7:36:02 PM
Author: JulieN
I love 16 and Pregnant! Being surrounded by intellectual elites my whole life, it actually made me realize how (highly) functional someone with an average IQ is. I felt sorry for Ebony, who couldn't go into the Air Force.

I know intellectual elites who aren't as "functional" as someone with an average IQ. Being smart doesn't help you if you think someone is always there to take care of you or you have the mentality that you are too good for stuff.

 

[Upgradable]

but "functional" is not even a goal anymore!

 

[y2kitty]

On topic, I''ve been horrified by the first two episodes of Season 2. Girl #1, Jenelle, admitted to smoking pot while pregnant online and Girl #2, Nikkole, looked to be in abusive relationship with a Joran Vandersloot doppelganger which made me worry for her safety.

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Date: 2/28/2010 7:36:02 PM
Author: JulieN
I love 16 and Pregnant! Being surrounded by intellectual elites my whole life, it actually made me realize how (highly) functional someone with an average IQ is. I felt sorry for Ebony, who couldn't go into the Air Force.

I'm sorry, but WHAT?!?!?! Maybe I'm of a below average IQ and not as highly functioning due to not being raised among the intellectual elite, or (more likely) maybe I'm misunderstanding what you're trying to say here, but do you understand how your statement came across?