Shows like ‘Teen Mom’ promote teen sex

As the rise of teen pregnancy shows rise, so do the teen pregnancies in America. It is saddening to watch the young women and men on these shows idolized and being made to be celebrities of our society. Though MTV holds to the fact that they are trying to expose the struggles of teenage sex, in reality, they are making these too young mother and fathers to be stars. When the victims of not practicing safe sex are plastered across the cover of People, for their "hardships," the reverse effect is given.

As a society we should be ashamed at how much attention we give these shows, such as Teen Mom, 16 and Pregnant, and The Secret Life of an American Teenager. No, I am not blaming the "stars" of these shows for the problem, nor am I saying that these teens should not be helped, however, help can be given at home, away from the eyes of the media. Teen pregnancy is already enough of an issue that it does not to be broadcast as some type of superstar lifestyle, full of magazine covers, publicity, and TV shows.

There are even studies that prove the relationship between teen pregnancy shows and the rise of teen pregnancies. A RAND Corp. study showed that teens that watch shows even like those of Sex and the City, which showcase adults engaging in casual sexual activity, are twice as likely to be pregnant in the following three years of viewing.

Behavioral scientist, Anita Chandra said that she," was surprised to find this link," but Bill Albert says the study, "catches up with common sense." Albert is the chief program officer for the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy.

And maybe it is not the fault of the stations/ shows for the increase in teen sexual activity…perhaps we should fault the magazines, and shows like TMZ. But whomever we are to blame; these shows have the opposite effect on the teen pregnancy rate.

 "It seems that shows like Teen Mom are all of a sudden making teen pregnancy seem cool in the eyes of young girls. The kids from these shows are all over the news, even on the covers of magazines, and have become almost like celebrities, but girls, these are not people you should idolize," says famed reality star Kim Kardashian on her blog.