thINK Assignment # 3

In a society where sex sells everything from food to cars, we should not be surprised by hearing that pregnancy seems to be the new trend for teenagers. Who or what is to blame for this? The media, one of the largest influences for teenagers, continues to glorify sex and ignore responsibility and therefore should be held partially responsible. The world’s view of teen pregnancy is constantly transforming, along with media’s representation of teen sex and pregnancy.

Teen pregnancy hasn’t always been as popular as it is today. In the 1970s and 1980s, teenage pregnancy rates in the United States reached all time lows due to the availability of contraceptives. But, between 2005 and 2006, teenage pregnancy rates began to increase again. This rise in sexual content on television is diluting teens’ morals and common sense. While teenagers having sex is realistic, they way it is portrayed on television is not. With well-known role models such as Bristol Palin and Jamie Lynn Spears getting pregnant at such young ages, teenagers see pregnancy as being more acceptable.

The biggest problem with media is the glamorization of teen sex and teen pregnancy. One popular television show among teens, Sixteen and Pregnant, shows documentaries of young pregnant girls’ lives. Some may argue that this show is sending a message attempting to prevent pregnancy, but how can that be true when MTV is paying these girls to be on their television show? If this program is sending any message to teenage girls, it’s more of a “Hey! Get pregnant, call us, and we’ll pay you to be on our television show!” kind of message.

Television shows are downplaying the effects of pregnancy by showing it as a “rainbows and butterflies” situation. These teens on television have children, and their lives somehow seem peaceful and perfect. They have a precious little angel to love and to hold whenever they desire. But why aren’t teens being shown that having a child is not easy? Is it fair to give them a fake idea? Are we at fault for the majority of millions of teen pregnancies each year for allowing media to continue with this mess?

Teen pregnancy is clearly an important issue today. We need to move past the moral panic and denial that often alter ideas of the issue and see that it is realistic for teens to be sexually active. We must quit showing teen pregnancy as fun and easy, and give an honest example for teens to learn from.