Teen Mom Ethical?

Teen Mom is a reality show that aired on the MTV network in December, 2009. It is a spinoff of the show 16 and Pregnant that follows 4 teen mothers through their first year of parenthood. It highlights the relationships and struggles young mothers face in their family, health and education. The show just by sheer numbers is a hit. Drawing 2.1 million viewers for the premiere (Alex Weprin -- Broadcasting & Cable, 12/9/2009 6:23:35 PM). While this popular show is a huge success for MTV economically, what are the implications it will have on society? Furthermore, is it ethical to put these teenage mothers on a platform where they are idolized as role models and open to the scrutiny of critical viewers worldwide?

First of all, let’s discuss the risks of teenage pregnancy. Obviously, there are health factors. Some of these include premature births, low birth weight, high blood pressure and statistically, lack of prenatal care. In addition to the health risks, children born to teenage mothers are more likely to suffer socially, emotionally and economically. Boys born to teenage mothers are 13% more likely to be incarcerated later in life. Girls born to teenage mothers are 22% more likely to become teenage mothers themselves. (womenshealthchannel.com) Violence overall, is more common in households of teenage mothers. This is illustrated in the Teen Mom series through both Amber and Farrah’s stories. In a season 1 episode, Amber slaps and chokes her boyfriend Gary in a dispute over a comment made about her father. Then in the premier of season 2, Farrah and her mother get into a physical alteration resulting in the police being called and a domestic violence charge being issued.

Education is also an issue with teenage moms. Overall, about half (51%) of teen moms have a high school diploma compared to 89% of women who didn’t have a teen birth. In addition, less than two percent of young teen mothers (those who have a baby before age 18) attain a college degree by age 30, (thenationalcampaign.org). This is consistent with the depictions of the show, as Amber has yet to get her GED and Maci being the only mom working on her college degree. This complexes the fact that, About 64 percent of children born to an unmarried teenage high-school dropout live in poverty, compared to 7 percent of children born to women over age 20 who are married and high school graduates. National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. Why It Matters. Money problems plague the mothers across the board in the Teen Mom series.

Now that we have established some of the risks of teen pregnancy, let us contemplate some of the benefits of airing the stories of these teen moms. First of all, this series humanizes the teenage mothers as average people, going through struggles that many of us face. They are not complacent and negative about their situation. They are hopeful and proactive in making a better life for their children. They are dealing with their issues in the best way they know how and refuse to give up. Their adamancy to succeed throughout their struggles makes them excellent role models for other people going through similar situations. The series also serves as a form of birth control to its viewers. It sends a message to everyone that you need to either be abstinent, using birth control or changing your entire life around for another individual.

Opposingly, some see this series as ludicrous in popularizing that which we wish to deter. A study conducted in 2006 found that adolescents who were more exposed to sexuality in the media were also more likely to engage in sexual activity themselves. (L’Engle, Kelly Ladin, Jane D.Brown, and Kristin Kenneavy. 2006). This indicates that the more we show teen pregnancy in the media, the more it will be encouraged in real life. In addition, putting these 4 adolescents on a platform opens them up to the harsh scrutiny of the millions of viewers who watch the show. MTV even has an area on their website where viewers can blog and discuss their opinions of the shows stars. They scrutinize everything about the characters from their appearance to their relationships to their decisions about their children. The last thing that these struggling mothers need is the criticism of the world weighing them down.

As, I look back on this paper and this topic as a whole, it is much broader and more complicated than can be discussed in a single blog. Teen Pregnancy is an important issue and while we don’t want to glamorize it, yet it is extremely interesting. I find myself glued to the television for each episodes premiere, (btw Tuesday s at 10 on mtv). Am I abandoning my morals and ethics by watching this show, or am I recognizing reality and helping myself to understand others?