http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/05/04/henson.teen.mom.show/index.html?hpt=C2
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| Children having children |
After viewing the covers of tabloid magazines, Melissa Henson is disturbed by the large amount of teen moms displayed. Girls featured on MTV's "16 and Pregnant" and "Teen Mom" have now become the hot gossip of every magazine. According to Henson, MTV had good intentions, but has resorted to turning their lives into a media circus. Other shows on MTV such as "Skins" and "The Hard Times of RJ Berger" also promote risky behavior with little to no consequences. Other shows include the "Real World," "Road Rules," and the now infamous "Jersey Shore." In a survey of schoolchildren, teenagers would rather be famous than smart. Although MTV started with good intentions, is one supposed to take them as a serious avocate for teen sexual health?
5W's:
Who? MTV
What? Has created shows like "16 and Pregnant" and "Teen Mom." The girls featured on this show seem to get lots of media coverage
When? Ever since the show started in 2009
Where? All over America
Why? Probably to make more money and draw more attention to the show raising ratings
Is This Journalism:
I would say "yes," this is journalism. It shows society it's infactuation with the lives of other people. The tabloids show us how addicted to gossip people are and the television show shows the hardships of teenage parenthood. The show has the potentional to help teenagers make smart choices about their sexual health.
Conclusion:
CBT: Sin: Math/Science: Mankinds was creaed in God's image with a God-consciousness, but is now in a state of rebellions against His creator.
I admit that if there is nothing else on, I will watch "Teen Mom." However, the show itself does not glamourize the lives of these teenagers, it shows their hardships and struggles. It is tabloids and media that glamourizes them. On every magazine and every gossip show, a Teen Mom story appears. It is hard to believe that these teen are having difficulties when MTV is paying them and a quick google search on any of the girls shows a glammed up picture of them at a Hollywood event. It is also hard to believe that they are struggling financially when everyone of them seems to be getting a tatto or sporting the new Juicy Couture purse.
I do not believe that MTV will EVER be a credible advoccate for teen sexual health. Don't believe me? Watch an episode of "Jersey Shore." MTV has MANY shows of people drinking and having sex without consequences. The scary thing is, it is the focus of the entire episode where the very next day, they take some meds to get over their hang over and do it all over again. It is a mindless cycle.
The scary thing about shows like "Teen Mom" is that it shows the sinfulness of this world. Why are teenagers having sex in the first place? What went wrong? In the mind of a teenager, one of the most rebellious things he/she can do is have sex. But why have sex? Because it feels good? You know what else feels good? Accomplishing a goal, succeeding in something you worked hard for, helping out people in need, coming to know Christ. Want an adrenaline rush? Jump out of a plane (with a parachute of course...). God intended sex to be something for marriage, between a husband and wife and no one else. This rebellion leads to a disatrous path, one God did not intend for His beloved people.
Sidenote: What ever happened to Music TeleVision actually, you know, playing music?
