I've always been a big fan of Teen Mom. And I felt vindicated when the New York Times ran an article about how it can be used as a tool to teach about safe sex. Serious newspapers take this show seriously! This is no Jersey Shore. People have said that Teen Mom glamorizes teenage pregnancy, but anyone who watched the previous seasons would know that isn't true. These girls struggle with money, school, terrible boyfriends, custody battles, family issues, substance abuse, homelessness, depression, and even a child protective investigation. It's not easy and the show makes that clear.
But as the third season continues, the girls have become tabloid fixtures and for the first time it seems to me that the show may be doing more harm than good. Two out of four of the moms have gotten breast implants. Some are talking about modeling and acting as though they can now turn their stint on MTV into a full blown career. And why wouldn't they think that when you look at Bristol Palin?
While some girls can presumably afford plastic surgery, Catelynn and Tyler have reportedly been evicted from their apartment. It seems that none of these teens can figure out how to manage their MTV paychecks responsibly. Amber's child protective case has made her the object of harassment in her neighborhood. Clearly, Amber has issues she needs to work out, but most struggling parents who are working with Child Protective Services are not also subjected to public humiliation, only those being followed around by MTV cameras.
If the show was meant to teach young people the perils of teenage parenthood, the lesson has certainly been lost on some, including the cast themselves. Maci is pressuring her new boyfriend to have another baby even though she now has a two-year-old and is still a teenager herself.
Teen Mom is documentary drama of the most engaging sort. You will cry; you will cringe; and you will be grateful it isn't you. Educational tool - probably not, Entertaining television - absolutely.
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