According to TODAY the show "Teen Moms" is a way to show girls how hard it is to be a teen parent and has the potential to open up important dialogue.
Even though I am not a teen I have caught myself watching this show more than once.These girls and guys in the show have had their lives turned upside down because of decisions they have made. This show is a great way to let other teens experience what it is like to raise a baby / toddler and deal with circumstances that they would encounter on a daily basis.
This subject really hits home to me since I had my daughter when I was 18. We watch this show together and I remind her age of 21 I already had two children she says "I bet it sucked to be you". She laughs and I know that it's hard for her to imagine her life with children at the stage of life she is at now. Being a teen parent is tough, financially and emotionally. One of the girls on the show was popular with good grades and plans to go to college. Her path changed when she got pregnant by her boyfriend. Instead of going to college, her priority is taking care of the baby. According to Dr. Berman, a psychotherapist, teen relationships usually do not last. That was the case in mine and then you have to share your child for holidays, have child support issues and constant contact and sometimes not with the other parent of that child. Not fun!
Being a teen mom is full of challenges and adoption is always an option if you are not ready or able to care for the baby. Having a supportive family and a network of people who you can depend on is key. I gave up alot but I gained more. After high school I was not able to go to college but my kids are grown and here I am. Anything can be accomplished with determination and the will to succeed.
You chose a great topic to discuss. I love talking about this kind of stuff because I do love the show Teen Mom, but I also have learned a lot from it too. I've seen those girls struggle through every day life and the odd thing is that it's actually the "popular" thing to do now. There are now 60+ girls at Joplin High School right now that are pregnant just because they "wanted a baby". I know because my little sister goes there. I recently watched this movie the other day called The Pregnancy Pact, which was all about a group of girls that planned to get pregnant at the same time just because they wanted babies. And then in the end, it showed how hard it was and how big of a mistake it was because they weren't ready. My mom's boyfriend's daughter had a baby at 16, but he's like five now and has the most amazing family. Adoption was the best thing she could have done for him. More girls need to realize that is an option.
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