MTV's 16 & Pregnant..The Real knocked-up teens of America (how much, Mobile, challenge)

[senalj]

Originally Posted by bayarea-girl

Senalj, Grown people have jobs and can support themselves. Teens still rely on their parents and can't get a job or live on their own. Celebrities should never be put in the same category as role models.

Like it or not, celebrities are role models! Plus, I know that grown ups have jobs, but that doesn't mean that's what teenagers are going to focus on. Celebrities are better off, yes, but the reality is these kids are going to look up to celebrities and don't understand that they can't do what they see grown ups do. If being a single parent is the "in" thing, teenagers are going to do it. And let's be real, it's very celebrated everywhere we look. Looking at the TV today, kids aren't shown that being a parent is hard. Every show that has kids in it, doesn't ever show the parents sacrificing anything to raise their kids. Then when you take into account celebrities have nannies (something teenagers may not realize), you can see how these teens can think it's a breeze to have and raise children.

[bayarea-girl]

No arguement there and you are saying what I've been trying to communicate in terms of a child interpetation of how easy they will think raising a kid will be. Not sure how we even started talking about celebrities in the first place? But Britney Spear's sister & even Sarah Palin's daughter getting pregnant at such a young age didn't help either. They are hardly seen with their kids so I can see so many teens thinking if those people can do it so can they. Again, IMHO MTV is not helping.

[ATLater]

Originally Posted by bayarea-girl

maciesmom, the last show was the only show that had an adoption (if I am incorrect please let me know). So the other shows would get kids excited overall to have the kids. Even the adoption, if they come to the conclusion that they really don't want the kid they will think oh I can just give it up. Many kids do think this way and some get money from doing so there is an incentive there. In the prior shows the teens were given baby showers and were picking out names they made it seem easy. Just like they make it seem like all those surgical shows are easy.

natalayjones, they aren't showing difficult labors they just aren't. If they showed babies coming down the birth canal like I said before I would prefer that because then kids will really see the impact babies have on the body when they are coming out. Having kids is not some kind of fantasy land. Again, I don't like that shows like MTV that use the opportunity to capitalize on experiences like this very serious situation only to make money. I don't find this entertaining or captivating and some do, to each his own.

then you dont have to watch or post about it mtv is not forcing you to be here. im watching the marathon today with my pre-teens and came here because I knew there was a thread about it and all I see is you, posting more than the people who like the show, about how awful you think it is. I don't understand your motivation for doing this, I don't like the real world but I haven't clicked on that thread to tell the people who do like it what a waster of time it is to watch

Anyway I watched Catelyns episode this morning and I was in tears through most of it. Both of the parents in that case were jerks since it seemed like neither of them were in any position to help raise the baby.

With Maci's episode I felt bad for her becuase it's clear that her boyfriend is not interested in the whole family agenda at this point. I liked that she was a straight A student, cheerleader and working - I think a lot of girls think pregnancy only happens to a certain demographic.

I'm watching Whitney's episode right now I might be back with more of my comments later. Oh by the way, the preteens I'm watching this with are very into it - they've been talking through every commercial break. IMO any show that gets kids thinking and talking about choices and consqeunces does a good job.

[bayarea-girl]

ATLater, I only posted in response to others responding to me. That is how it works. But I have nothing else to say about the show. You like it good, I don't and have moved on. Happy viewing!!!

[eevee]

Originally Posted by bayarea-girl

maciesmom, the last show was the only show that had an adoption (if I am incorrect please let me know). So the other shows would get kids excited overall to have the kids. Even the adoption, if they come to the conclusion that they really don't want the kid they will think oh I can just give it up. Many kids do think this way and some get money from doing so there is an incentive there. In the prior shows the teens were given baby showers and were picking out names they made it seem easy. Just like they make it seem like all those surgical shows are easy.

natalayjones, they aren't showing difficult labors they just aren't. If they showed babies coming down the birth canal like I said before I would prefer that because then kids will really see the impact babies have on the body when they are coming out. Having kids is not some kind of fantasy land. Again, I don't like that shows like MTV that use the opportunity to capitalize on experiences like this very serious situation only to make money. I don't find this entertaining or captivating and some do, to each his own.

jeez, it's MTV, not Discovery Health! what, you want them to show the fluids gushing out and the girls pooping on the table as they give birth? is that realistic enough for you? and how is MTV capitalizing on this show any more than other TV stations w/ similar shows?

MTV is not the Discovery/Discovery Health channel. they have a target audience and must do things differently from some other stations that can get into the nitty gritty aspects of all things medical. I could tell just by the silly drawings at the opening credits and before each commercial break that this show is not geared towards the same demographic as A Baby Story or similar shows that practically shove the camera up the woman's birth canal. it's trying to be a bit more lighthearted and less medical drama while trying to convey a message. if you don't like, fine, there are other shows, but there are times when your posts seen to put down people who do enjoy the show, which is silly and unnecessary

[nat_at772]

Originally Posted by eevee

if you don't like, fine, there are other shows, but there are times when your posts seen to put down people who do enjoy the show, which is silly and unnecessary

IMO that's been the general tone from the beginning but to each their own. I saw the finale yesterday, it was really sad. That boy's father pissed me off on so many levels - you've been in prison for 10 out the 16 years of your son's life - how you you even possibly fathom what it takes to raise a child? And the mother was equally ridiculous. If they had decided to keep the baby, neither of those parents would have been able to provide one iota of help.

I'm looking forward to the reunion, more so for them and the girl who was going to the airforce than anyone else.

[rxgrrl]

I thought the finale couple, Catelyn and Tyler, were the bravest, most mature couple out of the whole bunch. How selfless of them to consider what was best for their daughter was adoption to a loving, stable couple. My heart broke for them, but they did the right thing. I wish them only the best in life. Catelyn's mother and Tyler's father were the biggest idiots! I think they just wanted Catelyn to keep the baby so they could get more welfare. What horrible role models they are for their children!
I can't wait for the reunion to see what happened to the other young Mom's.

[gr8doglove]

Did anyone here see it? It was an awesome show. Very good show for young girls contemplating having a baby to see. The couple who gave their daughter up for adoption were wise far beyone their years.

Aside from that couple, Gary and Amber were my favorite couple.

What did you think of the show? Do you think it promotes teen pregnancy or do you think it shows teens how difficult parenthood and keeping a relationship together is?

[urguru]

this is boring...................

[mainegirl]

I saw a repeat of the season finale show. How heart wrenching. Those kids were more mature than their own parents. The parents should be ashamed of themselves.