16 and Pregnant, as well as Teen Mom have both become very popular shows over the past couple of years. Although the shows are very entertaining for the viewers, I was wondering what the teen moms get out of the hit TV show. It turns out that they are paid a great amount of money to be part of the television series. For example, teen mom Amber Portwood was paid $140,000 for a 6 month contract ($280,000 for the whole year.) What kind of message is this sending to teens about getting pregnant? That if you get pregnant you will be on a TV show, become famous, and get paid a ridiculous amount of money? The girls on this show have many problems, but money is obviously is not one of them. This TV show is not showing girls the reality of teenage pregnancy.
Celebrity Kim Kardashian was quoted bashing the show because of the message it sends to young girls. There was a story that 90 girls at a Memphis high school have either gotten pregnant or given birth this year which is extremely shocking, and Kim feels the same way. Kim was quoted saying "shows like Teen Mom are all of a sudden making teen pregnancy seem cool in the eyes of young girls... ." I completely agree with Kardashian. The girls in this show are obviously much better off than other teenagers who have become mothers because they do not struggle financially. In the eyes of the young girls who watch the show teen pregnancy does not appear to have as many consequences, which is definitely not the case. In addition, the teen moms are not learning their lesson or experiencing the reality of being a mom in your teenager years because of the money they have acquired.
I think the show is very entertaining but do not agree with how much the girls are paid or with the unrealistic picture it is painting of teenage pregnancy. Anyone else have thoughts on this subject? Comment and tell me if you agree, disagree, or anything else that's on your mind.
-Alex Antoniou
Sources:
1. http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/amber-portwood-paid-140000-for-six-month-teen-mom-contract-11849.php
2. http://www.usmagazine.com/momsbabies/news/kim-kardarshian-slams-teen-mom-phenom-2011201
Wow!! I was not aware of how much the teen moms got paid. That is a lot of money. I also agree that it is sending teenage girls the wrong message, because even though the girls on 16 and Pregnant go through their drama, the drama that the girls go through does not reflect real life exactly. There are not too many parents like Jo's that will let you stay in the house (when the son doesn't want you there) or tell you not to be ashamed because you are a teen mom. Also there are not many teen moms that start off with the finances or have the financial support that the moms on 16andPregnant have. On the show it seems that being pregnant is very well accepted, but in reality it is hard work being a teen mom, especially financially. -Brittaney Vaughn
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