Before talking about their opinions regarding this issue, it is important to discuss why it is being discussed in the first place. The reality TV show, “Teen Moms,” has become a cultural phenomenon. It is the second most popular show on MTV, according to the Today show. It is because of its popularity that these issues need to be discussed.

There is much controversy surrounding the show. Many feel that it is sending the wrong message by glamorizing teen pregnancy. These teen moms have become celebrities. They have gone as far as appearing on magazine covers.

Despite this, the psychotherapist interviewed feels that the show is educational and realistic. She feels the popularity of the show is because people want to see the harsh realities of what it’s like to be a teen mother. She also feels that teen mothers have been marginalized in the past, and this show gives teen moms an identity. It puts a face to this problem that has been going on for years. As well as showing the struggles in relationships, it also shows the harsh truth that these girls can no longer grow up as girls, they are now women and have to deal with the realities of such.

The freelance entertainment journalist and pop-culture expert agree with many of the opinions made by the psychotherapist. Her main concern is what will happen after the show is over. Will these girls continue to make bad choices to stay in the celebrity spotlight? She states, unfortunately, due to reality TV people crave what she terms,” train wreck television.” Both women do agree that when the show is watched, it should be watched with parental guidance so that any questions that the viewers may have can be discussed during and after the show.

After watching the clip from the “Today” show regarding teen pregnancy, I have to admit I’m not sure where I stand on the issue. I do not agree with teen pregnancy, but I am not naïve and understand that this can happen unintentionally. My primary concern is, due to the popularity of this show and others like it will teen girls intentionally become pregnant just to become a celebrity. They are creating an innocent life that has no voice or choice in the matter. That is why it so concerns me. What do you think?

© EthLeen

The post Do Culture Television Shows Glamourize Teen Pregnancy? appeared first on Alaafia African Family Resource Center.

The World Health Organization (WHO) asserts that global birth rates have either stagnated or decreased among teenagers since 1990. However, this does not mean that the war against teenage pregnancy has been won. 15-19 year olds still account for 11% of all births on the planet. It is important to study these statistics with a view of understanding the problem in the context of women empowerment.

Birth rates for teenagers are higher in some areas

Developing nations account for 95% of the 11% global birth rate for adolescents. On average the global birth rate is 49 for 1000 girls aged between 15 and 19 years. However, in some countries, especially those in Sub-Saharan Africa, the rate can be as high as 299 births 1,000 girls.

The underlying reasons

Most of these cases are as a result of early marriages and issues revolving around poverty. While a number of teenage pregnancies may be planned for and therefore wanted, most of them occur due to carelessness and failure to use contraceptives. Poverty also leads some young girls to prostitution or exploitation by men, which is a recipe for early pregnancies.

What about contraceptives

Availability and use of contraceptives in teen pregnancy is also an issue that needs to be addressed. Generally, there is very little sex education because guardians lack time or the topic is considered a taboo. Concerning contraceptive use and other issues in adolescent pregnancy, WHO has this to say:

They may feel too inhibited or ashamed to seek contraception services; contraceptives may be too expensive or not widely or legally available. Even when contraceptives are widely available, sexually active adolescent girls are less likely to use them than adults. Girls may be unable to refuse unwanted sex or resist coerced sex, which tends to be unprotected.

The consequences

Unfortunately, teenage pregnancy “… remains a major contributor to maternal and child mortality, and to the cycle of ill-health and poverty” according to WHO, babies born to teenage mothers are at risk of health complications such as low birth weight or even being stillborn. Moreover without the support of the new mother’s parents, the child will have a difficult time growing because the mother has no economic power. Further, such a girl rarely has education and skills that can give her employment. She ends up depending on other people or reverts to prostitution, in which case she might give birth to more children.

©EthLeen

The post Teenage Pregnancy – We are not out of the woods yet appeared first on Alaafia African Family Resource Center.

When she was asked if she ever thought she would become pregnant as a teen she stated that she never thought she would be “one of those girls.” She thought she was much smarter than that.

She was asked if she was using protection with her boyfriend. She stated that she was never on birth control. She knew she and her partner were taking a risk, but they still didn’t do anything to protect themselves.

When asked how her friends and family react when they found out about her pregnancy, she stated that most of her friends were shocked, they knew she was having sex, but thought she was taking care of protecting herself. Her family was also shocked, but very supportive.

When asked in what ways teen parenthood is different from what she thought it would be she stated, it is very difficult for me because I have to balance out all of my responsibilities. I am trying to stay in college while at the same time finding ways to have quality time with my son and finding time to study.

She was asked, “What do you wish you knew before you got pregnant?” She stated she wished she would’ve realized that once you have a child it’s no longer about you. It’s all about them. She stated further, “I was still a kid myself, I feel like I robbed myself my own childhood.”

When asked why she wanted to share your story with other teens, she replied, “Although pregnancy rates have gone down it is still an issue and I want to make young girls realize what a huge responsibility it is. Once you have a child everything is on you, you can’t run to mom and dad for help.”

Lastly, she was asked if she thought the way teen pregnancy is presented in pop culture is positive or negative. She stated that she felt it has both negative and positive effects. She has watched these show’s and can relate to some of the girls. The positive aspects are the way they show real life stories and let girls know that teen pregnancy is no joke.

On the other hand, she hopes that girls are not trying to get pregnant to get on television or think to themselves as they watch the show that it’s really not that bad. They do not know the reality of the situation until they have lived it themselves.

©EthLeen

The post A Firsthand Account of the Consequences of Teenage Pregnancy appeared first on Alaafia African Family Resource Center.