For my out of class reading, I chose to write about a new series on MTV called 16 and Pregnant. When I saw the new commercials for it, I was kind of intrigued by it. But then I thought to myself, how could they make a show like this? I was really interested in how they would go about making it. This show follows the lives of young couples who have chosen to keep their children. It follows the everyday struggles of being a high school student and getting labeled for being pregnant and wanting to keep your child.
This particular episode is about a girl named Maci who is a high school senior and is almost ready to have her child and has to deal with graduation at the same time. Her boyfriend/fiancé Ryan is having doubts about keeping his child and doesn’t really want to be a good father. Maci pretty much does everything she can to make ends meat and still have time to finish her homework every night. She even had to switch schools because her due date was right around the time of her graduation. So she switched schools in order to still have her baby and graduate on time. Her and Ryan’s relationship was pretty strong before baby Bentley was born but now, their both just hanging on for dear life. The only reason why Ryan is staying with Maci is because of baby Bentley. He doesn’t want to do anything to take care of him and always wants to go out with his friends. They get in many fights and as a result, their marriage plans get put on hold. Maci leaves it up to Ryan. She wants him to stay for Bentley’s sake and have a father. This leaves Ryan with many questions. After his talk with Maci, he decides to stay for Bentley but feels like the relationship won’t last.
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Megan, I watched the same show with my daughter last week. My goodness, I remember when MTV played videos, not ran series shows. That aside, I was impressed with Maci and her maturity. Didn't she graduate early too?
ReplyDeleteit's pretty incredible what social stigmas do to people! i can't imagine what it would be like to be pregnant in high school - especially if you're going to a small midwest high school, or a religious high school, or something like that. people tell girls not to get pregnant and for pregnant women not to have abortions, yet when they "mess up" and are in that situation, pregnant girls are not supported if they keep the baby. it's a disgusting dramatic stupid cycle, and mothers bear the brunt of that close-minded hypocrisy.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen this show, but your blog about it was interesting. I think it is good that she decided to keep the baby because a lot of the time when girls get pregnant at a young age they don't. I think it is good that she took responsibility for the baby.
ReplyDeleteMegan, Wow. I'm going to have to check that out. Make sure in your blog that you're not just summarizing, but analyzing the show as well. For example, does this show romanticize teenage pregnancy in any way? Or, do you think it discourages it? Does it just seem like a show that is reflected reality, rather than trying to make a big, political statement?
ReplyDeleteI am sad for girls that have to give up their childhood so soon. I also very much admire the strength that I see.
Megan, I watched the same show with my daughter's father. He couldn't stand watching it another minute after Ryan put Bentley in bed with him, shut the lights off, and rolled over. He told me he is so happy that he is not a father figure like that to Mylee. I was pregnant with her when I was 16. So I know exactly what she is going through. It is very tough, but if he is holding her back she will realize it, because staying with the father just because you have a baby is not always the right choice.
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