Channel surfing a few days ago I came across an interesting topic on the Tyra Banks show. Here are some links that I am basing my analysis on…
http://tyrashow.warnerbros.com/TyraMediaPlayer/#topofpage
(scroll down to Teenage Pregnancy Epidemic September 18th 2008, underneath the video)
http://tyrashow.warnerbros.com/2008/09/word_on_the_street_why_do_so_m.php
(a reaction to the show, First link)
Tyra had a panel of teenage girls on her show; their ages are ranged from 13 to about 17 years old. She opens up the debate by asking on girl who is 16 years old why she wants a baby. She goes on to explain how Jamie Lynn Spears had a baby at 16 and that she feels that it will bring her and her ex-boyfriend closer. Tyra reacts quickly to the teenager’s response and tries and shows this young girl the flaws in her thought process. Another 16 year old girl explains that she met a boy (15 years old) who she wants to have a baby with and that that boy will stay with her. Her ex -boyfriend also promised the same things as well- Tyra points out that just because her boyfriend says something, doesn’t mean he’ll do it. After talking to some girls who want to be a teenage mother, Tyra talks to two girls who are already pregnant. One girl is 13 and the other is 16 or 17. The older of the two explains how it is not easy and that she regrets her decision. After watching the show this topic raises questions in pop culture and its relationship with gender.
Most people associate teenage pregnancies as unplanned pregnancies but now hearing that some young girls are planning their pregnancy is a scary thought.
Some facts about teen pregnancies:
750,000 teen girls from ages 15-19 become pregnant every year.
Many of these girls decide to keep their child and are single moms raising their baby.
Has pop culture glamorized pregnancies?
The coverage of Jamie Lynn Spears is staggering. She was on the cover of People magazine as well as others talking about her pregnancy. The media has been following her every move before and after the birth of her daughter. The magazines talk about motherhood and her engagement to the baby’s father.
A few months ago, Jennifer Lopez, Nicole Richie, Angelina Jolie, Christina Aguilera and Katie Holmes were all pregnant at one time or another. Paparazzi were crazy about these moms to be. Magazines had stories and pictures following these young women and their baby bump along the way. When their babies are born they have the cover showing how the happy family is doing and the nursery they have prepared. It has a fairytale feel to it.
Even the Oscar winning Juno is debated as glamorizing teen pregnancies. Juno’s character is very relatable to. In the movie, we see a 16 year old girl become pregnant and decide that after she gives birth she will give the baby up for adoption to a family she found. Her boyfriend is also around during and after the pregnancy. It is glorified in the sense that Juno has a support system throughout the entire pregnancy. Her support system includes her mother and father, her friends and her boyfriend. Some argue the fact that she gave her baby up for adoption is also misleading due to the fact that many teen moms keep their child.
Does this lifestyle appeal to teenagers?
Maybe so, Jamie Lynn’s boyfriend is staying with her and they are even engaged. Many of the girls on the Tyra show are betting everything that their boyfriends are going to stay and even will bring them closer. They see these Hollywood families being happy and having it all together. They see a simplified no-flawed version of motherhood. Looking at the pictures in the tabloids we see these celebrities shopping for cute baby supplies. Maybe, these young moms see this as fun and forget that it really is an expense and a chore.
The teens on the Tyra show do not talk about school or wanting to find a good career. They could possibly not want to go to school and see becoming a mom as an alternative. Teenagers could be becoming pregnant to gain attention and find undying love.
Tyra made an interesting point when talking to the first girl. (It can be found on the video clip) She was telling the 16 year old that men do not stay simply because a baby is on the way. She went on to say that “fathers do not have the same responsibilities as the mother.”
Do we still live in a stereotypical society?
I believe we have come a long way from where we were in the 1950’s but some stereotypes are hard to break. I think women will always be looked at as nurtures and the one to attend all the families’ needs. Although it may not always be true, women are expected to put the family first and her career second. The women’s career is put at risk when she decides to have a baby.
This issue will always have a debate around it because there is a large grey area, there is no black and white.
References
Jayson, Sharon. “Does ‘Juno’ show strength or glorify teen pregnancy?” USA Today. May 27th 2008. http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-03-09-juno-pregnancy-main_N.htm?POE=click-refer
“U.S Teenage Pregnancy Statistics National and State Trends and Trends by Race and Ethnicity.” Guttmacher Institute. New York, New York. Updated 2006.
http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/2006/09/12/USTPstats.pdf
By E.P
5 comments:
I think that teen pregnancy is a huge issue pervading our society today and I feel that the underlying cause of this increase needs to be further examined and studied. What is it about our lifestyles, relationship, expectations and roles that are causing so many teens to get pregnant? I think that images of pregnant teens that are portrayed in the media may influence this societal problem. Celebrities such as Jamie Lynn Spears and Ashley Simpson are idolized by many young girls and therefore, not only do they feel that getting pregnant at such a young age is acceptable but also ideal.
Erin, you've presented a very relevant topic in a very thorough format linking a pop culture event to a larger social concern. Your thesis question, "Has pop culture glamourized teen pregnancy?," is very well-stated. Having engaged in this analysis, what do you now think the implications of this glamourization are for wider society?
I think you said this all very well Erin. I know that teen pregnancy has definitely increased and also the visibility of pregnancies and motherhood has increased as well in the celebrity scene. Is there a correlation between the two? Maybe, but maybe not. But I do believe that girls, especially those like the girls on the show, believe having a baby will keep the "family" together and make life better for them. However that is not always the case and these teenage girls need to see that. If they can handle the pressures and face life head on with a baby in their arms, then good for them. It's just not for everyone in this day and age. Women put off having children to finish their education, get a steady job, have a stable financial situation, and have a steady partner. So hearing about girls in there teens wanting to settle down and have a family is mind boggling, but it happens. Society wasn't always so aimed at women having children in their thirties, so why the controversy now?
Brenda
I don't understand why young girls and boys think that having a baby is a good idea. The problem is there is no fear. People look at Jamie Lynn Spears and Governor Palin's daughter and feel that they will have the same experiences. These superstars and popular figures will have a lot of people helping them raise a child since they can afford it and middle class families will struggle. I feel that parents should also talk about teen pregnancy with their daughters and make sure that people know the consequences of their actions.
I think the fact that girls seem to think that having babies, and even sex for that matter, will make their relationships with their boyfriends stronger, must be changed quickly. The media shows only the positive side of women's pregnancies. However, this is not the case, since especially in teen pregnancies, families are not there for support. Movies like Juno incorrectly portray teen pregnancies as being that easy,
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