Analysis 1-4-2: MTV's Teen Mom

Reality TV is a big part of pop culture today. MTV's Teen Mom is one of those shows. This show is about teens who become moms at a young age. These teens show the world what it's like to be a young mother while trying to go to school, still be a teen, deal with relationships, and everyday life. Although this is a popular show there are many viewers who believe that this show is encouraging teen pregnancy. It is popular belief that if you praise the actions of one person then more will want to follow. If they are showing these teen girls on the show many more will want to follow and try to get on the show as well. Since Teen Mom is aired on MTV and not an educational channel, some feel it does not show the true realities of teen pregnancy. MTV rather show the drama these girls have in their relationships or their new tattoos and piercings. Media is is making these teens out to be stars for doing nothing and making it okay to become pregnant at a young age. It's like they are supporting the bad decisions that these teens make by putting them on magazine covers, giving them endorsement deals, and paying them to be on the show. Now I do watch this show and have since MTV aired it's very first episode, but this show doesn't quite show what a teen mom truly goes through. We have to wonder is that the type of message we want to send out?