In the October 2009 issue of Glamour there is an article on a supposed "Teenage Mom Craze" that could be causing the teen pregnancy rate in American to be on the rise again. The article suggests that the media has been glamorizing teen pregnancy therefore more and more girls are getting pregnant because they think it's cool.
I don't think there is much validity to this argument, and it's an argument that I hear all the time when I talk to people about my book, Glori. Shows like "16 & Pregnant" are not showing teen moms living the good life, and my own account of my experience as a teen mom includes homelessness, an unhealthy relationship, and more.
So here's a letter I wrote to the magazine in response to their article:
Dear Glamour,
I'm writing in response to your article "Let's Stop the Teen Mom Craze" which appeared in your October 2009 issue.
I am a former teen mother who has written a book entitled Glori on my experience of overcoming the odds and earning a college degree despite homelessness, a drug infested environment, and an unhealthy relationship. I had to self publish Glori because literary agents and publishers are fearful that it might glamorize teen pregnancy. This idea - which is essentially discussed in your article - is really interesting to me.
The majority of girls don't get pregnant because they think it will be a glamorous experience. Lack of information on contraception, low self-esteem, little to no communication with adults about sex, and even molestation are far more serious and likely causes.
When there is a documentary on homelessness or drug abuse, people aren't quick to say that these shows are glamorizing life on the streets or heroine addiction. In the same way, shows that depict the lives of teenage mothers like MTV's "16 & Pregnant" don't glamorize teen pregnancy - they are simply telling a story that young people need to hear. Our problem with these shows has more to do with society's reluctance to discuss and to acknowledge teenage sexuality than anything else.
In closing, I think it's important for young people to see what life as a teenage mother/father is all about. Not only will it help them make better decisions, but it will also encourage other teenage parents by letting them know that they're not alone. The best thing we can do for teens is not to rip these shows off of the airways, but - as Sarah Brown from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy said in your article - talk to them about their goals, their future, and what it really means to start a family.
Thanks.
Got an opinion? Love to hear it!
Nicole
I don't think there is much validity to this argument, and it's an argument that I hear all the time when I talk to people about my book, Glori. Shows like "16 & Pregnant" are not showing teen moms living the good life, and my own account of my experience as a teen mom includes homelessness, an unhealthy relationship, and more.
So here's a letter I wrote to the magazine in response to their article:
Dear Glamour,
I'm writing in response to your article "Let's Stop the Teen Mom Craze" which appeared in your October 2009 issue.
I am a former teen mother who has written a book entitled Glori on my experience of overcoming the odds and earning a college degree despite homelessness, a drug infested environment, and an unhealthy relationship. I had to self publish Glori because literary agents and publishers are fearful that it might glamorize teen pregnancy. This idea - which is essentially discussed in your article - is really interesting to me.
The majority of girls don't get pregnant because they think it will be a glamorous experience. Lack of information on contraception, low self-esteem, little to no communication with adults about sex, and even molestation are far more serious and likely causes.
When there is a documentary on homelessness or drug abuse, people aren't quick to say that these shows are glamorizing life on the streets or heroine addiction. In the same way, shows that depict the lives of teenage mothers like MTV's "16 & Pregnant" don't glamorize teen pregnancy - they are simply telling a story that young people need to hear. Our problem with these shows has more to do with society's reluctance to discuss and to acknowledge teenage sexuality than anything else.
In closing, I think it's important for young people to see what life as a teenage mother/father is all about. Not only will it help them make better decisions, but it will also encourage other teenage parents by letting them know that they're not alone. The best thing we can do for teens is not to rip these shows off of the airways, but - as Sarah Brown from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy said in your article - talk to them about their goals, their future, and what it really means to start a family.
Thanks.
Got an opinion? Love to hear it!
Nicole
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2 comments:
Thank you, thank you, thank you. This is so true. People interpret not shaming teen mothers into the ground as encouragement. It's sad and misguided, and it needs to stop. Acknowledging teen parenthood and being honest about it benefits everyone more than keeping things hush-hush.
Thank you, Alex! I completely agree!
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