Teen pregnancy is a huge issue in this country. The United States has the highest teen pregnancy rate of any western industrialized nation. It is definitely a social and political issue. It is also a cultural sensation. There have been television shows and movies that focus on the topic of teen pregnancy in America. There is currently a show called “Teen Mom” on MTV that follows young girls who were previously on MTV’s show “16 and Pregnant”. “16 and Pregnant” followed young girls in high school while they were pregnant. After the babies were born, these same girls starred in “Teen Mom”. In this show we as the viewers see how challenging life can be as a teen mother. We did not see this sort of struggle in “16 and Pregnant”.
Another cultural sensation that did not fairly portray teen pregnancy is the movie “Juno”. It is a story about a young teenage girl who becomes pregnant by her best friend. The movie truly romances the situation of teen pregnancy. Juno, the pregnant teen, debates having an abortion but decides against it after going to the abortion clinic. Her friends and parents are supportive and they do not tell the baby’s father’s parents about the pregnancy or his responsibility in the situation. Juno moves through her pregnancy without very much struggle, drama, or emotional attachment. The movie tells a sweet story, but it does not touch on the reality of being a pregnant teen.
I would argue that these television shows and movies glorify teen pregnancy. I do not think that they touch enough on the harsh issues underlying teen pregnancy. These shows and movies tell a story of a happy ending for these young girls who become pregnant. They need to show the reality that is involved in a truly life changing event. They need to focus more time of the struggles involved and how many young girls can be ostracized by either family or friends and even sometimes both.
We as a society have an obligation to take these shows and movies with a grain of salt. We need to be sure to discuss these issues and talk about the realities of teen pregnancy rather than the sweetness of Juno’s story.
Another cultural sensation that did not fairly portray teen pregnancy is the movie “Juno”. It is a story about a young teenage girl who becomes pregnant by her best friend. The movie truly romances the situation of teen pregnancy. Juno, the pregnant teen, debates having an abortion but decides against it after going to the abortion clinic. Her friends and parents are supportive and they do not tell the baby’s father’s parents about the pregnancy or his responsibility in the situation. Juno moves through her pregnancy without very much struggle, drama, or emotional attachment. The movie tells a sweet story, but it does not touch on the reality of being a pregnant teen.
I would argue that these television shows and movies glorify teen pregnancy. I do not think that they touch enough on the harsh issues underlying teen pregnancy. These shows and movies tell a story of a happy ending for these young girls who become pregnant. They need to show the reality that is involved in a truly life changing event. They need to focus more time of the struggles involved and how many young girls can be ostracized by either family or friends and even sometimes both.
We as a society have an obligation to take these shows and movies with a grain of salt. We need to be sure to discuss these issues and talk about the realities of teen pregnancy rather than the sweetness of Juno’s story.
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