16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom are stories about teenage girl’s struggles as young mother. At first, when the show started, their purpose was clear: To let other teens be aware that this was not a good choice to make.

Now, I feel like the show has been rewarding these girls for having children. We as smart Americans should not praise these girls about getting pregnant.

Once a show like this was created we are telling young girls that getting pregnant can be your way to fame.

Just the other day, I was watching E! News and they were reporting on Teen Mom Stars going grocery shopping. When you look in the magazine stands, Teen Mom stars Maci Bookout and Amber Portwood have front page spreads.

We give these young mothers millions of followers on Facebook, Twitter and even make up pages for their kids to show the cute things they do.

These girls are getting famous off of poor decisions they made. I am a viewer of Teen Mom. I like watching the struggles they go through and overcome. What I do not like is rewarding these girls with magazine covers, press, TV shows, etc.

We need to watch what we do because sometimes people will receive it differently. What if one of those 90 teenagers from Memphis who got pregnant, saw this show, and thought that having a baby was good?

They probably thought that it was just television and they over exaggerated the struggle. Lastly, they thought about the fame that comes with it and it would all be worth it in the end.

For example, Montana Fishburne wanted to follow Kim Kardashian’s footsteps to get famous by being a porn star and having sex tapes.

The same thing could happen. These girls are also getting publicity off of the negative things they do.

Jenelle Evans, from the current season of Teen Mom 2, was just released from jail with her boyfriend for drug charges. In the show, she pushes her mother, cusses her out, and yells at her in her face.

She even admits to smoking marijuana.

Why are we rewarding this girl with fame?

Amber from Teen Mom was arrested for abusing her boyfriend in front of their daughter Leah.

This was shown on national television for everyone to see. Why are we giving this girl magazine covers?

MTV is not the only one that has made teen moms famous.

Look at Bristol Palin, she is well known for her mother running for Vice President, but since her pregnancy, she has made a name for herself.

She has done commercials, sitcom roles, and has even been a part of Dancing with the Stars. Palin, became a “star” because of her pregnancy. The same thing has happen to Brittney Spears sister, Jamie Lynn Spears.

Yes, she had a starring role on Nickelodeon, but she became a “star” when she got pregnant.  

The media should not be rewarding these girls with fame. Once they get into the lime light, we are sending the message that even pregnancy can make you a celebrity.

MTV intentions were good at first.

I understand that they were getting awareness out and trying to show how it is to be a teen mother.

I just think they should think about another message they are sending viewers. Once we send the message that becoming pregnant can get you famous, all the girls will fall vulnerable to this.

 

• Necole Jackson