Topic > How Mass Media Encourages Teen Pregnancy

Since 2009, MTV has aired programs revolving around teen pregnancy, something that most conservative parents would shame, now it's just another publicity stunt to make a new reality show. The same thing parents warn their daughters about is now being shown in a positive light. Programs that focus on this type of behavior encourage teenagers to get pregnant, because some hope to get on television, the programs make it look easy and the message to avoid it is lost. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Some people might say that the show helps discourage teen pregnancy. They may believe that MTV does a great job of informing their audience and how teenagers no longer get pregnant when they are young. However, although the MTV network attempted to discourage teenage pregnancy, it was put in the spotlight in a way that was bold, flashy, did not present the difficulties, and provided the public with information on how to stay safe or practice safe sex. Instead, he presents it as a reality show and gives teens the idea that getting pregnant is the way to go if they want to be on TV or be famous. There are more girls on these shows, which seems to continue, and this obviously tells us, the audience, that teenagers are still out there, getting pregnant. The realistic life of being a teenage mother is much more difficult, and the show doesn't give the audience what a typical pregnant girl would go through, such as losing friends, her boyfriend leaving, or her parents kicking her out of the house. Even if there were parents who greatly celebrated the impending newborn, that does not make teenage pregnancy acceptable. The show just gives those girls their "15 minutes of fame," and from that makes teen pregnancy pretty glamorous. It makes pregnancy seem carefree. The actual reality of being a teen mom isn't really seen in these shows, and this leads the audience to believe otherwise. Second, the message to avoid teen pregnancy is lost in the never-ending spiral of domestic violence, verbal abuse, and unnecessary drama between teen mothers and their families. A teenage mother, in real life, would be overwhelmed and have no time for friends or to leave the house. Girls in shows like this ask parents to watch their kids whenever they don't want to take responsibility for it. Lost in the violence, the entire organization of the show is absent. I watched an episode of "Sixteen and Pregnant" and it was obvious that the girls were there for one main purpose: to get attention. The girl's boyfriend broke up with her and was left to raise the child alone, without consequences. With all the drama present in the episodes, the message they created the show, to avoid getting pregnant as a teenager, is lost. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Customize EssayIn conclusion, shows like “Sixteen and Pregnant” and “Teen Mom” encourage teen pregnancy. These shows don't show the reality of being a teenage mother, the message of avoiding teenage pregnancy has been lost and teenage pregnancy is seen as just another way to become famous, and it shouldn't be. MTV needs its programs to try to discourage teen pregnancy more effectively, rather than encourage it.