Not Me Monday – 16 and Pregnant
Early morning feedings with a slow feeder is leading me to do something I swore I wouldn’t do (I MAY of even blogged about it…). Well, let’s just say one night while feeding the newbie, thumbing thru on-demand I found the show 16 and Pregnant. (I may have forgotten while writing the mindless tv post how much time you spend feeding your kid and how there really isn’t anything besides watching tv you can do – unless you can control your computer by voice – if someone has an effective app for that, let me know.)
16 and Pregnant, Say WHA?
If you’ve never heard of the show, here’s the premise. MTV films teenagers (16 or around the age of 16) thru their pregnancy. Some girls are with their boyfriends, some are IN LURVE, some are single fighting with their baby daddy. Some want to keep the baby. Some give the baby up for adoption. Some parents are supportive. Some parents aren’t. It’s a total train wreck. And I’m addicted.
Baby Story
Have you ever seen TLC’s Baby Story? During pregnancy that was my addiction. I actually spent labor watching it between contractions. Well 16 and Preagnant is similar but they follow the teens and instead of a mother who has a home and money to support the baby, there is a teen who is for the most part clueless. It’s an absolute cry fest for me. Especially at 3 in the morning with feeding your newborn.
Who Doesn’t Love a Good Cry?
While watching this, I’ve cried for the teens and the babies. I’ve thought about WHAT IF MY DAUGHTER BECOMES PREGNANT (and then cried). I’ve thought about the parents that couldn’t have children of their own and these teens are handing their child over to a better life. I’ve thought about the parents of the pregnant teens. I’ve thought about what if I had a child as a teen. I’ve thought about the difficulty I have raising as a newborn and then realize that there is a teen who is doing the exact same thing I am doing without the means. Suddenly, my issues aren’t that bad.
Yes the show doesn’t exactly show you the most moral people and situations in the world, but maybe it will give a reality check to some teenagers out there. I just wish they would be a little more raw and real (postpartum fun time, colic, how much a newborn actually costs, sleepless nights and the delusion that goes with that, you know the stuff that makes you thankful for a cute baby).
So… who is addicted the 16 and Pregnant? NOT ME!
Not Me Monday was created by McKMama at My Charming Kids – view what other DID NOT do at mycharmingkids.net
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21 comments on “Not Me Monday – 16 and Pregnant”
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Hi! I'm Molly a blogger in Dallas, TX. Welcome to Digital Mom Blog, where we talk about parenting, technology, mom life and geekery. Want to know more? Read on. -
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While I understand the appeal that reality TV holds for most people, I have to say that this show really cheeses me off. I mean you no offense or disrespect! I just have to get it off my chest, since hubby is a die-hard fan and it makes me want to vomit. I'm appalled that MTV thinks it appropriate to base a show on teen pregnancy, like it's this cool, edgy thing that's worthy of that kind of fame and attention. ( I was a teen mom myself, although not until I was 18.) I watch the show wondering just how many of those girls got pregnant on purpose just to get their face on TV…I'm sure it's not a small number. Also, I find it sick that they glamourize that situation, like it's something to aspire to or something that wouldn't be the worse decision you could possibly make! Being a mom is a lifelong career, and they use it like the punchline to some twisted joke or a corporate revenue stream. Like I said, I have no beef with the fact that you like the show, or anything like that. I just had to vent a smidge, and I apologize for using your post as my soapbox. =) It's a great post, BTW, and I've been there with the slow-feeder at all hours of the night, wishing there was something to do. I'm glad you were able to find an outlet.
No beef taken
That's what comments are for – soapboxes!
I really hated the idea of this show, but sadly was suckered in!
Followed your link from MckMama's –
I also cry as I watch this show for the same reasons you do.
And I really DON'T think it glamourizes teen pregnancy. I think it shows some of the hard choices and responsibilities that teen moms are faced with. My only concern is that these hard choices and responsibilities are lost on the audience members who have never had children.
Until I had kids I didn't realize how incredibly difficult it is to raise a child WITH the help of a supportive spouse and family…not to mention how hard it would be to do alone.
exactly! i really do wish they would show more of the gritty. I mean they show all kinds of gritty on Jersey Shore, ha!
"My only concern is that these hard choices and responsibilities are lost on the audience members who have never had children."
I'm 45 and I'm totally addicted to this show. It makes me glad I never had children because it was definitely the right choice for me. I thank God every day that I don't have kids. I admire others who do (hey, I'm a loyal reader of this blog!) but it was just not in the cards for me and for that I'm still relieved. I think the show is crafted all around the message of how much harder it is than any of these kids can possibly imagine – I think that's the show's message.
Best post ever, I had to break my comment into two parts! oH!
I don't think this show glamourizes teen pregnancy. I think it does the exact opposite, it's a warning of epic proportions. These poor kids start every show not having any idea what they're getting into and then reality hits. I'm just glad that MTV has the guts to air this show because it's a step in the right direction of opening up a dialogue instead of leaving teen pregnancy in the dark by pretending it's not happening. I hope some kids get the message by watching this show that pregnancy is 100% preventable – which they preach in every episode, along with sources for more information (100% – are they advocating celibacy? Interesting.)
It's the only reality show I watch, and I know the editing crafts the message to be exactly what MTV wants it to be, but I think it's still fascinating. I'm just really sorry it makes you cry, Molly!
I totally forgot about that, meant to mention in the post. I do love how they (scripted or not, ha), have a friend or parent ask each girl "How did this happen?" or "Didn't you use birth control?".
If it was a little more down and dirty this show could totally be used in sex-ed – kind of like how back in drivers ed they use to show the graphic car wreck scenes… i'm just sayin.
It's okay, a good cry is good every now and then (plus, i've watched every episode now – so until season 3 or the next episode i'm done crying over MTV. I ain't crying over Snookie.)
p.s. I used to be really addicted to Baby Story, too, but hated that it glossed over everything and made it all seem like a fairy book tale. The wedding show of theirs, too.
When I had LP, one of the first things I thought was, 'why would a teenager go through this?' but plenty people do. I pray that God will bless this new generation being born as well as their young parents.
Good post, was just watching this last night when I couldn't sleep. My girls are 13 and 8 so I am past the late night feedings but from the viewpoint of a mother of a teenaged girl…I have watched this with my teenager and she sees no glamour in the show about being a teen mom. Her comments have been, why would you do that when you know, and everyone knows, where babies come from! She also feels bad for the babies that are helpless in the situation. And I agree with her on this.
I was the product of a teen pregnancy. My mother was 16 when she got pregnant and 17 when I was born. I had a very rough childhood and was forced to grow up fast (something I would never want my girls to do)!
Great blog , i will bookmark it right now !
Great blog , i will bookmark it right now !
It was reported years ago that a Washington bureaucrat sent a letter to the state of New Mexico requesting the number of cattle guards in the state. The state promptly responded and was told by Washington, “That’s too many. You’ll have to fire about half of them.”
I ask because I’ve recently run across Anais Nin, and I’m wondering if anyone else sees the merit in her work.
There is obviously a lot to know about his, I think you made some good points. Anyhow keep up the good work.
Amazing, that’s very helpful information, thankyou.
I had problems viewing in Safari but it works fine in Internet Explorer. Anway, the content is good. I am delighted to have come across this.
great thanks man…
Good topic, I think with u blogs should have talks on as blogs are showing a view of the person & after getting talks from critics, he can get a better version of the view it has shown.
It’s not so much the 16 and pregnant deal with me. It happens. On accident, intentionally, in the heat of the moment, whatever. It happens. I’m not advocating it at all, so please don’t get me wrong. I’m just saying it’s a reality that’s been happening for millions of years.
For me, it’s the fact that these young girls and their children are being exposed into celebrity status for that fact alone and the message it sends to girls my age (I’m 17).
It’s telling us that it’s OK to get pregnant and, if you’re lucky, you can be on T.V.! That’s the real tragedy for me. I hate that show. It probably would have been better as a documentary.