While I can admit this show is a guilty pleasure for me, it's also a show that frustrates me.
Being a young mother (not a teen) and having 2 children of my own, I know what it's like to raise children.
I understand this show is geared towards young teens to convince them to not have sex and that a big part of teenage years is their social life and freedoms. However, what about the everyday struggles that go into being a parent? Why can't the show focus more on that?
Not every baby is a great baby. In fact, most if not all babies have their flaw. Be it colic, not good at sleeping, picky eater, etc. So why doesn't MTV focus on these aspects as well?
My daughter is 3 months old and sleeps 12 hrs a night. Amazing. (for me at least haha) However, it was a long 3 months attempting to get here there. There were nights I was up 3 or 4 times a night with her. Why doesn't MTV show those struggles of insane sleep deprivation but the fact that you STILL have to wake up?
What about shots? I don't know any mother that LOVES getting her children shots. Kids hate them. Babies cry. It's really a hard time for a first time parent to witness their child's first shots at a mere 2 months old. Why doesn't MTV show that?
Breastfeeding..don't get me started. Some people it works perfectly and they experience no pain, others it's a very tryng and tiring process especially added on top of the sleep deprivation...so again MTV I ask why don't you show this?
While I understand this is geared towards young adults, I do feel like these are important trials you face as a mother thatno matter what your age they should be included.
Also, I do not agree with a 2nd season of teen mom and of 16 & Pregnant. To me, I feel like it enables teens more to get pregnant because they think "oh well i could get a show on MTV" and it contradicts MTV's original stand point on why they created this show. If they had stuck with the original cast and not made more seasons I think it would have sufficed, but unfortunately they didn't.
I do realize though that there are a lot of people out there who will watch all the new seasons (me being one of them) because like I said it's a guilty pleasure of mine. It does bother me though.
So i ask you, what are your thoughts on the show? Will you let your children watch it?
4 comments:
I agree that they have completely gotten away from the premise of the show. At first, I thought it was a great educational show. My mom was a teen mom and growing up, she constantly told us how hard it was to do everything on her own and how hard it was to pay for stuff. Some parents don't have that conversation with their kids and I thought 16 & Pregnant and Teen Mom did a great job of showing that side of life. Now, it's not like that anymore
These girls are on the covers of every tabloid at the grocery store. Amber was in court this week and had to disclose how much money she makes a year... $250,000!!!!! That is not showing the truth of teen pregnancy and the hardships that come along with it.
When the show first came on, I had a friend who thought it was ridiculous (she had never actually seen the show) and I told her that I would watch it with Alaina when she got older. Now? I would be more hesitant because I feel they glamorize teen pregnancy. For example- when Maci moved last season into a nice place all by herself. Most teen moms would never be able to just pick up and move like that. Moving is very expensive, as is living on your own. I will continue to watch it, because I love it, but I don't feel they are showing the true side of teen parenthood.
I too like to watch 16 & pregnant & teen mom. The girls and I watched last season and have tried to watch this one but with our schedule haven't been so succesful. I agree they have gotten off track and would love to see more of the everyday hardships of having to raise a baby, make money, get an education and all. I have to say that on another note I do think it made it easier for me & my girls to talk about the situation and what to expect.
$250,000 omgsh that's INSANE!!! April I think it's an easy way for parents to start talking with their kids about what to expect and everything like a good ice breaker but I would hope that parents that do that would make sure they understood it's not all the glam it's thought to be.
My idea (as of now keep in mind my daughter is 3.5 months and my son 21 months lol) for when my kids are older is to have a friend who has a newborn that wakes up in the middle of the night let me babysit for them. I will let my children help (when htey're at an appropriate age) so that they can truly see what it means to have a child overnight. that plus a lot of talking and communication and education on the subject i'mhoping will help my children be smart. like i said i have a long way to go before i deal with this istuation butttt as of right now that's my plan and we all know plans change haha
Trust me mine know it's no where as easy as they make it look on tv; and I hope other parents have done the same with their kids. And you're right if you can find someone with a newborn, and then also get a toddler for them to have to run and chase all over (of course not at the same time...lol) will sure make them see how much "work" there is with having a baby. I think with Emily babysitting it sure has taught her a thing or too about not wanting to have a baby anytime soon. Of course as parents all we can do is educate our kids and hope that they are strong enough to stand their ground when it comes to certain presures of being a teenager.
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