So I was out and about earlier (it stopped snowing, the sun was shining, God was basically saying here you go Kat- embrace your first day of winter vacation), and I stopped at Target to pick up some tights (of the Spanx variety, with the Mexican food binge I'll be going on during my trip home I'm going to need them..mmm enchiladas). Anyhow, I am getting off topic...I was preparing to buy my miracle working tights when my eyes stumbled across the following headline on gossip magazine at the checkout counter- MEET THE NEW CROP OF TEEN MOMS!
I thought surely I must have lost the ability to read because there's no way in hell a magazine would be glamorizing the fact that some 17 year old had too much peach schnapps at her junior prom and as a result forgot how to keep her legs closed. But unfortunately, and much to my chagrin, I was dead wrong. Below the caption was a slutatisically looking fifteen year old holding twin babies. Because when karma wants to bite you in the ass- realize it is always ready and waiting.
Now, I realize mistakes happen, but why does the media feel the need to put these girls on TV? My searching led me (unsurprisingly) to MTV...the place responsible for all that is wrong with the world/Jersey Shore/A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila. Apparently they have like 65 different shows over pregnant teens. One would think they would be using these shows in order to help teens, not goad them into a casting call. I'm thinking they should do a spin off of MTV cribs, but in the literal sense. Wait, I'm giving them ideas...this is the opposite of my point.
Anyhow the point of my rant is this, why is teen pregnancy being glamorized? Ratings? Money? Ad revenue? I'm not sure. All I know is after five minutes of watching one of these shows I shut it off. I honestly felt bad for the girl...but then again she agreed to let cameras chronicle the 9 month ordeal. This should be a learning experience or a cautionary tale about all the things you will have to give up for that night of fun, but this girl was looking to get preggo to score loot and a nicer car because she was seemingly peeved with her parents being so old school and wanted her 15 minutes of fame.
Not the kind of thing that deserves to be on TV. If most of the episodes are like this and not at all informative on the hardships of teen pregnancy, MTV should be ashamed. I'd even go as far as to say they should replace shows like that with more Real World Road Rules challenge.
I think Lifetime movies deal with the whole teen pregnancy issue best. It's not something you plan for...which (let me get up on my soapbox) is why you can't just run around sleeping with everyone in your formative years. Or if you plan on doing so, you should be mature enough to tell your parents and make a trip for some birth control pills or something. Because for the love of God the last thing we need is for MTV to find more ways to make money by NOT PLAYING MUSIC VIDEOS.
Essentially, I blame you, MTV for making the masses believe everything wrong with the world is right. Exhibit A through Hepatitis C:
I'm told the small one in the middle is called a "Snooki" which I believe roughly translates to "miniature hooker" in Guido.
Now, I do not usually cover issues of a prominent or taboo matter like teen pregnancy in my blog, but thanks to the good folks at Planned Parenthood teens and young adults can all take a step in the right direction. If I have offended anyone with my ranting over why teen pregnancy shouldn't be glamorized on TV I am sorry. Children are truly a blessing and deserve nothing but the best, like parents who are able to take care of them and love them unconditionally. I know a lot of people who had children in their teen years and the kids turned out wonderfully, it is just not an ideal situation to be in, and I feel for those who have gone through it. I would not have been strong enough to cope. If I have children before the age of 30 I will probably not be able to handle it, so there's that...yeah. I'm sure that has something to do with me being a giant immature child myself?
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Word up, chica.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I once heard an interesting report on NPR about this show. The criticism was, like yours, that it somehow glamorizes teen pregnancy.
Several studies, however, confirmed that the hardships shown by the people on the show actually served to deter teen pregnancy more than encourage it. There were several explanations why, but the data was pretty clear.
Still, it is fairly disturbing. And the overall point that TV is stupid and generally reflective of poor culture is pretty much right on.
Except The Sopranos- that show just fuckin' rocked.
Caleb out.
PS colors are readable now!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your compliance!
awesome glad the colors are better. Cheers things up a bit on here!
ReplyDeleteBut yeah, I can see how it is meant to be a show that is extremely informative on the hardships, but with MTV it just always seems like there's some underlying issues at work..but I am glad to hear it is a least making a mostly positive impact!
I think MTV needs to quit with the teen mom 16 and pregnant shows....it's not a good look! What ever happened to MUSIC Television??!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure...can anyone actually remember the last time they saw music videos on MTV? I think it's been at least 5 years.
ReplyDeleteI live in the same area as Snooki and am ashamed that she is from here. she called herself the Queen of Poughkeepsie, yet she isn't even from poughkeepsie yet from across the river and about 40 min south of that Poughkeepsie in a small town called Marlboro. I hate that i run into her in bars.
ReplyDeleteoh wow, I am sorry, I am sure she is even worse in real life than she is on tv!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant =]
ReplyDeleteExcellent points. But I'm not sure if you're aware that as I read this there is an MTV ad at the bottom of the screen for the show Skins. Skins is yet another show ripped off from the UK. Unfortunately this show does make 'glam' out of kids making stupid choices. But a jackass is as a jackass does.
ReplyDeleteP.S.- I remember the night MTV aired "Video Killed The Radio Star" at midnight. (Yes, I'm a vintage bitch) It's a damn shame no music is played there anymore. I don't even understand why it is still called MTV. It should now be FTV (Fucktard television)
I miss authentic MUSIC television, that is for sure...I'm glad VH1 still plays videos sometimes!
ReplyDeleteWow, every once in a while I say to myself that it is going to be okay since society can not possibly fall any lower. And BAM! Something like this draws my attention.
ReplyDeleteBack on the subject, television exists to make money and as long as there is niche for something which sells, be it pregnant teens, mentally disturbed people or hardcore catholic skat pornography, it WILL be on air. It's kind of sad, but it is true. (I'm really glad I stopped watching TV 4-5 years ago :P )