some things just shouldn't be glorified....or rewarded...
cindy4mica
Posts: 777 Member
i know the sad reality is that teen pregnancy is running rampant in the world today, but do they *really* need to glorify it by producing more tv shows?? ok, so i'm being a bit of hypocrite as well as an enabler since all of those reality shows are my guilty pleasure, but i like to think i'm intelligent enough to see how ruined these girls' lives are. yes, babies are a blessing and yes, babies are miracles, but let's not sugar-coat this. life as these girls know it will be no longer. it's painfully evident on these shows that lives filled with the mall and going out and dances and school and parties have been replaced with sleepless nights, diapers, making bottles and struggles to graduate. yet teen girls *still* don't practice safe sex. and worse & more stupidly, some get pregnant on purpose to "keep a boyfriend" or "have someone to love". i'll still never get that one. but again, i don't walk in anyone's shoes. however, i *do* know between right & wrong and there is nothing "right" about bringing a baby into this world for selfish reasons.
additionally, there are mature, adult, financially-stable women out there who struggle to get pregnant on a daily basis. i'm fairly certain they're not thrilled to have these girls shoved down their throats every day on tv, magazines & tabloids.
this is MY OPINION. i'm trying not to judge, but rather to make statements based on the information i'm given. we don't know what happens behind closed doors, but from what i can assess, these girls need more parental involvement and to be educated on safe sex. i'm not stupid - i have teenaged kids and i'm pretty sure they're not saints. but i made sure to sit them down and talk to them with the cold, hard facts. i'm not a proponent of teen sex, but i'm an advocate on educating our children on their options if they choose to go that route.
your views??
additionally, there are mature, adult, financially-stable women out there who struggle to get pregnant on a daily basis. i'm fairly certain they're not thrilled to have these girls shoved down their throats every day on tv, magazines & tabloids.
this is MY OPINION. i'm trying not to judge, but rather to make statements based on the information i'm given. we don't know what happens behind closed doors, but from what i can assess, these girls need more parental involvement and to be educated on safe sex. i'm not stupid - i have teenaged kids and i'm pretty sure they're not saints. but i made sure to sit them down and talk to them with the cold, hard facts. i'm not a proponent of teen sex, but i'm an advocate on educating our children on their options if they choose to go that route.
your views??
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Replies
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I agree! It was always frustrating to me to hear about all kinds of teenage girls getting pregnant when I was struggling just to get my ovaries to work properly so I could get pregnant in the first place!0
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#1 reason why I don't have cable...reality shows...I'm rather young, but still cannot believe what they show on tv these days. It actually scares me.0
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Wait... is this myfitnesspal or TMZ?0
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I agree. I almost wish they would only "cast" the pregnant teenagers who don't have parents to pay for diapers, help make bottles, and pay for the roof over the kids' heads.
I've only seen maybe 3 or 4 full episodes (how many seasons has it been?), but I did watch last night. This is mostly due to the fact that I'm 5 months pregnant myself and will watch just about any show on pregnancy and having babies!0 -
I agree that teen pregnancy shouldn't be glorified but 16 and pregnant is definitely not glorifying anything. If at all they're showing how hard life is when you end up getting pregnant at such a young age. You watch those young girls go through hell and back after having kids. I think it's a great show for people to learn from (and yes I'm addicted!). I took a sex health class and learned that the teen pregnancy rate has actually dropped since shows like 16 and pregnant and teen mom have aired.0
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i'm fairly certain they're not thrilled to have these girls shoved down their throats every day on tv, magazines & tabloids.
Hmmm I don't think anything is being shoved down anyone's throat. Either you choose to watch such programs and pay attention to tabloids or you don't! Regardless if there was a TV show about it or not, teen pregnancy is going to happen. Is it fair to those who can't have childen, maybe not. But life isn't fair. And there are plenty of grown adults who also have no business having children.0 -
All I can say is I'm glad my parents instilled the fear of god in me if I ever got knocked up. I would've been homeless. All comes back to lack of parenting. TV raises a lot of peoples children ... and thats how they learn the morals and values.0
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I too watch these shows, but I agree 100%. My son is only 1.5 now, but when he is of age he will definitely have the talk with his father and I.0
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Wait... is this myfitnesspal or TMZ?
which is why i posted this on the "chit-chat, fun and games" board and not one related to fitness/nutrition.0 -
I agree. I almost wish they would only "cast" the pregnant teenagers who don't have parents to pay for diapers, help make bottles, and pay for the roof over the kids' heads.
I've only seen maybe 3 or 4 full episodes (how many seasons has it been?), but I did watch last night. This is mostly due to the fact that I'm 5 months pregnant myself and will watch just about any show on pregnancy and having babies!
haha omg i did that, too! i seriously watched just about every episode of every show pertaining to people having babies when i was pregnant and the few months following the birth. i think i dvr'd "a baby story" and "brining home baby" for 3 months straight!
and i agree. there was one girl on the last season whose father paid for rent in a *gorgeous* house and pretty much gave her money whenever she needed it. i could only *wish* i had it that nice or easy!0 -
Agree! I am a foster parent & have 3 fosters (2 1/2 yrs now) beause their young mother is a POS! She was 13 when she got pregnant, I have 3 of her children, there is another in a different foster home (she got pregnant after she lost the 1st 3) and now she is pregnant AGAIN. She is 24, all of the children have different father's..... every child she has will just go straight into foster care on the tax payer dime. This is just ONE case. There are HUNDREDS of cases like this out there, yet I know several people who have tried for years w/o getting pregnant & this POS just looks at a man & is knocked up yet continues to drink, smoke & do drugs.0
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Hmmm I don't think anything is being shoved down anyone's throat. Either you choose to watch such programs and pay attention to tabloids or you don't! Regardless if there was a TV show about it or not, teen pregnancy is going to happen. Is it fair to those who can't have childen, maybe not. But life isn't fair. And there are plenty of grown adults who also have no business having children.
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amen, sister!0 -
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I agree that teen pregnancy shouldn't be glorified but 16 and pregnant is definitely not glorifying anything. If at all they're showing how hard life is when you end up getting pregnant at such a young age. You watch those young girls go through hell and back after having kids. I think it's a great show for people to learn from (and yes I'm addicted!). I took a sex health class and learned that the teen pregnancy rate has actually dropped since shows like 16 and pregnant and teen mom have aired.
part of your statement is my point. you'd think these girls would learn from these shows, but they don't. i haven't taken any polls, but i know just based on my kids' high school that the teen pregnancy rate has gone up (not necessarily because of these shows, but they have). but some of these girls have parents who take care of them financially and enable them to live pretty darn good lives. i'm not saying they have to throw the girl and her baby out on the streets, but they need to live realistically and sleep in the bed they made.0 -
i'm fairly certain they're not thrilled to have these girls shoved down their throats every day on tv, magazines & tabloids.
Hmmm I don't think anything is being shoved down anyone's throat. Either you choose to watch such programs and pay attention to tabloids or you don't! Regardless if there was a TV show about it or not, teen pregnancy is going to happen. Is it fair to those who can't have childen, maybe not. But life isn't fair. And there are plenty of grown adults who also have no business having children.
Amen, sister!0 -
i'm fairly certain they're not thrilled to have these girls shoved down their throats every day on tv, magazines & tabloids.
Hmmm I don't think anything is being shoved down anyone's throat. Either you choose to watch such programs and pay attention to tabloids or you don't! Regardless if there was a TV show about it or not, teen pregnancy is going to happen. Is it fair to those who can't have childen, maybe not. But life isn't fair. And there are plenty of grown adults who also have no business having children.
you can't wait in line at the grocery store without 9 out of 10 magazines with these girls on the cover staring at you. and i totally agree on your last statement.0 -
All I can say is I'm glad my parents instilled the fear of god in me if I ever got knocked up. I would've been homeless. All comes back to lack of parenting. TV raises a lot of peoples children ... and thats how they learn the morals and values.
agreed!0 -
I was a teenage mom and watch those shows because they do show the pain, stigmas, immature emotions, attempts to make that decision into the best future they can, and fear that getting pregnant at a young age can bring. I see nothing glorified about it other than they are on TV, but that would be like saying they glorify hoarders or obese people. I was fortunate to defy most of the teen-mom stereotypes, finished high school, college, and got a great job and have done a good job of raising my son. But I appreciate that there is a show that shows the difficulties behind those teenage actions.0
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I have been watching it with my daughter (whom is 10). At the end of the episode we talk about the struggles that girl hard, how it changed/strained her relationship with her mom, how the boyfriend often leaves and if he does stay he isn't helpful at all. I think it is good for her to see that teen pregnancy is NOT easy and NOT what she or I want for her life. I had her when I was 19 so I was a "teen" when I was pregnant (18) and it was not the smartest decision I made and I want her to see that she doesn't want it for herself.0
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I agree that teen pregnancy shouldn't be glorified but 16 and pregnant is definitely not glorifying anything. If at all they're showing how hard life is when you end up getting pregnant at such a young age. You watch those young girls go through hell and back after having kids. I think it's a great show for people to learn from (and yes I'm addicted!). I took a sex health class and learned that the teen pregnancy rate has actually dropped since shows like 16 and pregnant and teen mom have aired.
Indeed - 16 and pregnant is not the same as MTV's "Teen Mom" - one aims to educate, the other aims to ... well,.... I am not quite sure .... aim a camera at a train wreck?0 -
Agree! I am a foster parent & have 3 fosters (2 1/2 yrs now) beause their young mother is a POS! She was 13 when she got pregnant, I have 3 of her children, there is another in a different foster home (she got pregnant after she lost the 1st 3) and now she is pregnant AGAIN. She is 24, all of the children have different father's..... every child she has will just go straight into foster care on the tax payer dime. This is just ONE case. There are HUNDREDS of cases like this out there, yet I know several people who have tried for years w/o getting pregnant & this POS just looks at a man & is knocked up yet continues to drink, smoke & do drugs.
i give you a ton of props and admiration. good for you - those poor babies probably wouldn't stand a chance without people like you. it's really a shame when there are sooo many women out there who would do anything to have a baby. keep up the great work:)0 -
Wait... is this myfitnesspal or TMZ?
Ummm yeah... you do realize this is the Chit Chat, Fun and Games section right?????? :huh:0 -
I have issues with those shows on MTV, because are these girls being paid to air their drama. I don't know - i think MTV should offer them a full scholarship or pay for a vocational school or something useful. I don't watch reality TV (not my thing)
I did have my son when I was 19 and it was a long hard rough road, he's 16 now (btw, I'll be 36 in a few months) and we talk about how hard I had to work to get him the basic essentials.
The parents who are shelling out cash & paying all their childs expenses are not doing their child any favors! They're doing them a HUGE disservice...because (god forbid) something happens and that parent isn't around to pick up the pieces or pay the bills? Who is going to show them "this is how you find a job" "This is how you pay a bill on time"?
I've gone through hard times and had to ask help from my parents, but I got on my feet and pay my own way, period!0 -
I agree and disagee. 16 & pregnant does show how hard it can be and how much lives change but you never know unless you are in their shoes. I don't think childern are educated enough on "safe" sex and what really happens. I want to strangle some of those girls who just don't get it but then again I love watching the ones who can actually pull themselves together and beat the odds! I had my first daughter at 17 (the summer before my junior year) and it was tough! I did graduate high school with honors and then put myself to college... even graduated a sememster early. My parents helped when they could but I did not come from money so I was pretty much on my own. Paid for my own rent and worked my butt off at school and work. I did have an amazing support system though. It is tough and i completely agree those girls who don't seem to have the "want" to raise their children should have just thought about other options. It is a scary world we grow up in and we can only hope for the best for our children. My oldest daughter is about to turn 11 and I try to have a very open relationship with her about growing up. I am VERY honest about how hard it is and as she gets older I can only hope I have tought her enough to make the right decisions.0
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I feel exactly the opposite. I was a teen mom (twice!) and I wish these shows had been around when I was a teen. Maybe I would have been more careful. Don't get me wrong, I adore my children and would not have things any other way. They are my life. My only regret is not being able to finish college. I'm one of the lucky teen moms though, I'm still with their father, and we've been happily (mostly) married for over 6 years. My life has been much easier than most of the teen moms I know. My DSD is 10, and just started her TOM recently. I stay completely open and honest with her, and pray that she'll wait longer than I did. I let her watch 16 & Pregnant, Teen Mom, and Secret Life of the American Teenager. In fact, I encourage her to watch them. I want her to know what real life is all about. I want her to realize that sex is not 'just sex'.0
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I have issues with those shows on MTV, because are these girls being paid to air their drama. I don't know - i think MTV should offer them a full scholarship or pay for a vocational school or something useful. I don't watch reality TV (not my thing)
I did have my son when I was 19 and it was a long hard rough road, he's 16 now (btw, I'll be 36 in a few months) and we talk about how hard I had to work to get him the basic essentials.
The parents who are shelling out cash & paying all their childs expenses are not doing their child any favors! They're doing them a HUGE disservice...because (god forbid) something happens and that parent isn't around to pick up the pieces or pay the bills? Who is going to show them "this is how you find a job" "This is how you pay a bill on time"?
I've gone through hard times and had to ask help from my parents, but I got on my feet and pay my own way, period!
I COMPLETELY agree!0 -
I was a teenage mom and watch those shows because they do show the pain, stigmas, immature emotions, attempts to make that decision into the best future they can, and fear that getting pregnant at a young age can bring. I see nothing glorified about it other than they are on TV, but that would be like saying they glorify hoarders or obese people. I was fortunate to defy most of the teen-mom stereotypes, finished high school, college, and got a great job and have done a good job of raising my son. But I appreciate that there is a show that shows the difficulties behind those teenage actions.
my hat off to you. i also have a few friends who have succeeded in the face of this adversity. however, you and they are the exception. i'm not saying that 100% of teenagers who get pregnant struggle, but statistics say it's the majority. and these girls get paid to be on the show. to me, that's glorifying and rewarding the situation. again, just *my* opinion.0 -
I agree that teen pregnancy shouldn't be glorified but 16 and pregnant is definitely not glorifying anything. If at all they're showing how hard life is when you end up getting pregnant at such a young age. You watch those young girls go through hell and back after having kids. I think it's a great show for people to learn from (and yes I'm addicted!). I took a sex health class and learned that the teen pregnancy rate has actually dropped since shows like 16 and pregnant and teen mom have aired.
Indeed - 16 and pregnant is not the same as MTV's "Teen Mom" - one aims to educate, the other aims to ... well,.... I am not quite sure .... aim a camera at a train wreck?
lol pretty much sums it up!0 -
It's not just HS anymore folks. Middle school girls are preggo.
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I have issues with those shows on MTV, because are these girls being paid to air their drama. I don't know - i think MTV should offer them a full scholarship or pay for a vocational school or something useful. I don't watch reality TV (not my thing)
I did have my son when I was 19 and it was a long hard rough road, he's 16 now (btw, I'll be 36 in a few months) and we talk about how hard I had to work to get him the basic essentials.
The parents who are shelling out cash & paying all their childs expenses are not doing their child any favors! They're doing them a HUGE disservice...because (god forbid) something happens and that parent isn't around to pick up the pieces or pay the bills? Who is going to show them "this is how you find a job" "This is how you pay a bill on time"?
I've gone through hard times and had to ask help from my parents, but I got on my feet and pay my own way, period!
very well put and congratulations!
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