The Pros And Cons Of Teen Pregnancy

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Recommended: How teen pregnancy is portrayed by the media

Most people are familiar with the popular TV shows 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom (see figure1). There is a debate over whether these shows promote or prevent teen pregnancy. Both of these shows are glorifying teen pregnancy in many different ways. The teens that are put on these shows are paid. Another way that these shows are glorifying teen pregnancy is that the shows only film certain parts of what it is like to have a baby at such a young age. According to Indiana University, Bloomington, “heavy viewers of teen mom reality programs are more likely to think that teen moms have a lot of time to themselves, can easily find child care so that they can go to work or school and can complete high school” (Bloomington, Indiana University). Even …show more content…

Most teen parents are not prepared for raising a happy and healthy child. “Even for the most prepared parents, raising a healthy and happy child is one of life’s major challenges” (The Urban Child Institution). Having teen parents can hinder a child’s social life and emotional wellbeing. When a baby is born to a teenage mother, the child is likely to have a more difficult time obtaining language skills as well as social and emotional skills like self-control and self-confidence. “These abilities are already developing in infancy, and they are essential for school readiness” (The Urban Child Institution). Many children of teen parents are bullied just for that reason. The reason some children are bullied is because the way they handle situations in school. Children of teen parents normally do not obtain the correct social skills. This being said, children of teen parents get bullied more. It is clear that although some people believe that the TV shows, 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom discourage teens from pregnancy, teen pregnancy is a problem that needs to be addressed for two main reasons. First, it is affecting teen’s education, future, and the well-being of the child. But most importantly, the TV shows, 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom are encouraging teen

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