OMG! "Teen Mom" et al are Reducing Teen Pregnancy Rates!

[VRBeauty]

I have to admit I don't have cable so I couldn't watch these shows if I wanted to... but I've kind of always assumed that they might have the effect of glorifying teen pregnancy. It turns out that's not what's happening. Here's what is happening when a new episode of "Teen Mom," "Sixteen and Pregnant," etc. airs...

- Tweets containing the phrase "birth control" go up by 23%
- There's a corresponding increase in google searches related to birth control.

And... in the markets with the highest viewership for these show, the rate of teenage pregnancy is declining faster than in other areas.

Whodathunkit?


http://www.sacbee.com/2014/03/20/6253924/nicholas-kristof-tv-lowers-the.html

 

[Gypsy]

Re: OMG! "Teen Mom" et al are Reducing Teen Pregnancy Rates

Well, thank goodness for small mercies!

 

[April20]

Re: OMG! "Teen Mom" et al are Reducing Teen Pregnancy Rates

I've never seen Teen Mom but I caught an episode of 16 and Pregnant while I was cleaning the house one day. The episode i watched did NOT glorify teen pregnancy IMO. If I was 16 it would probably scare the crap out of me! It really showed the impact it had on the kids lives POST pregnancy. So I'm not too surprised it's having this overall effect on teens.

 

[baby monster]

Re: OMG! "Teen Mom" et al are Reducing Teen Pregnancy Rates

Oh yeah, that show doesn't hide the gory details. They show everything about pregnancy side effects, labor, caring for an infant, all of the financial problems. I think it's a good show to watch at any age because so much about pregnancy and having a baby is romanticized.

 

[amc80]

Re: OMG! "Teen Mom" et al are Reducing Teen Pregnancy Rates

I've been a fan of this show from the beginning. It definitely doesn't glorify teen pregnancy, and anyone who thinks it does hasn't seen the show. It makes it look awful.

 

[swingirl]

Re: OMG! "Teen Mom" et al are Reducing Teen Pregnancy Rates

I watch! The thing that really hits home is that very few of the dads are supportive: emotionally, financially or physically. They do not mature at the same rate as the teen moms do and are off making new babies or playing with their friends. I hope the show makes teen girls realize a baby and boyfriend doesn't necessarily make a "family".

 

[tyty333]

Re: OMG! "Teen Mom" et al are Reducing Teen Pregnancy Rates

I've never watched those shows either but I'm thrilled at the unexpected side-effect!

 

[msop04]

Re: OMG! "Teen Mom" et al are Reducing Teen Pregnancy Rates

I watch! The thing that really hits home is that very few of the dads are supportive: emotionally, financially or physically. They do not mature at the same rate as the teen moms do and are off making new babies or playing with their friends. I hope the show makes teen girls realize a baby and boyfriend doesn't necessarily make a "family".

This is very important, bc I know that many of these girls get pregnant (and want to keep the baby) because they think it will make their b/f stick around and be their husband... IRL, it's probably a pretty rare occurrence.

 

[SB621]

Re: OMG! "Teen Mom" et al are Reducing Teen Pregnancy Rates

LIke someone else pointed out. I don't think the birth, labor, issues with raising an infant are the forfront of the show that is causing teen pregnancy to go down. I think it highlights best that typically the father does not stick around. So having a baby with a buy doesn't equal happily ever after.