Imani Spence

Dr. April McCray

Enc 1102

09/27/2012
16 and pregnant false portrayal

Suddenly teen pregnancy is cool? It seems that nowadays pregnancy "Is no longer a scary word," says Ottawa-based sex therapist Sue McGarvie, "It's been normalized." Teen pregnancy is up partly because there is less of a stigma associated with teen pregnancy since there is more of a
“cultural permission” to be a younger mother. The rise is also partly due to the portrayal of celebrity teens and television shows such as “16 and Pregnant,” which give teens the idea that
“having a baby is the new handbag.” As the rise of teen pregnancy shows rise, so do the teen pregnancies in America. It is saddening to watch the young women and men on these shows idolized and being made to be celebrities of our society. Though MTV holds to the fact that they are trying to expose the struggles of teenage sex, in reality, they are making these too young mother and fathers to be stars. When the victims of not practicing safe sex are plastered across the cover of People, for their "hardships," the reverse effect is given. These television shows give teenagers the idea that they could become famous for getting pregnant while glamorizing teen pregnancy, and it falsely portrays how teen pregnancy really is . 16 and pregnant is a show that airs on MTV every week. It shows the emotional journey of pregnant 16 year olds from the doctor’s appointments to fights with the baby’s daddies.
Dr.Drew helps the world get an eye opening look into the real issues of being a teen parent.The show normally starts out in the girls last two months of the pregnancy. The viewers get to take the emotional ride with the girl. The mothers are forced to make huge decisions about whether or not to pursue school or drop out. Where they’re going to live and how they plan to pay for the