16 and Pregnant
Yet another series on MTV focusing on today’s teens. Sometimes I want to yell at MTV that teens are not the only ones who like MTV and music.
16 and pregnant follows several young women through their teenage pregnancy until the birth of the child. Actually, I am pretty glad that MTV is focusing on this. It shows how hard teenage pregnancy is. How being responsible for a human beings life at such a young age can shatter most hopes and dreams.
These young moms struggle with balancing the rest of their childhood and being a mom. It is hard. Most don’t graduate and see attending college as impossible. They find that keeping the loving relationship with the baby’s father is an obstacle.
The fathers, if still in the picture, don’t feel the same emotions, don’t feel the same connection to the baby, they struggle with still being a boy and having their freedom.
I am drawn to this series through personal experience. I, myself, was 16 and pregnant. In fact I was 15 and pregnant. This life altering experience put a new perspective on life in general for me. But it did not shatter all of my dreams. It only cracked them and put them on hold.
I did not have the support of family and fended for myself. I did dropout of high school like some of the cast of 16 and Pregnant. However, with dedication I did obtain my GED. Later after my kids all began school, I was able to attend college and earn a degree.
I see the cameras follow these girls, but I don’t see them talking to anyone else who had been in the same situation. Yes having unprotected sex that resulted in pregnancy, probably wasn’t the brightest thing to do. But they can still hold on to hope. It will be a rocky road, but they can still be successful.
If you are a teen mom reading this, pleas know that your dreams are not unreachable, they are just put on hold for a short time. You can do it. There is still a way. Stay strong and don’t give up.
Filed Under: In The News