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How MTV's “16 and Pregnant” May Have Reduced Teen Pregnancy

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Re: How MTV's “16 and Pregnant” May Have Reduced Teen Pregnancy

#2
I had heard about this a few years ago and I find it fascinating. Entertainment being used for good! Its interesting how effective this particular show has been, so I have to wonder how effective those heavy-handed episodes of Family Matters or Home Improvement were.

I'm sure there are many examples of a TV show heavily impacting stuff that we encounter in our everyday lives, but I also would recommend reading The Power of Habit, as it has a whole chapter about how TV was used to effectively get people to start brushing their teeth before bedtime.

Re: How MTV's “16 and Pregnant” May Have Reduced Teen Pregnancy

#4
post #2

I had heard about this a few years ago and I find it fascinating. Entertainment being used for good! Its interesting how effective this particular show has been, so I have to wonder how effective those heavy-handed episodes of Family Matters or Home Improvement were. I'm sure there are many examples of a TV show heavily impacting stuff that we encounter in our everyday lives, but I also would recommend reading The Po…

>I have to wonder how effective those heavy-handed episodes of Family Matters or Home Improvement were.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bflYjF90t7c

Never doing drugs again.

Re: How MTV's “16 and Pregnant” May Have Reduced Teen Pregnancy

#5

I think the prevalence of plan B has reduced teen pregnancy

This is interesting, but plan B has appeared by the FDA with no age restrictions or prescription in 2013 and the effects they analyse are from 2009-2010. The demand for it might be well driven by partly by "16 and pregnant".

Now if only MTV could make a show "16 with an STD", American teens might start using condoms as much as European kids.

Re: How MTV's “16 and Pregnant” May Have Reduced Teen Pregnancy

#7
post #5

I think the prevalence of plan B has reduced teen pregnancy

This is interesting, but plan B has appeared by the FDA with no age restrictions or prescription in 2013 and the effects they analyse are from 2009-2010. The demand for it might be well driven by partly by "16 and pregnant". Now if only MTV could make a show "16 with an STD", American teens might start using condoms as much as European kids.

I think "You Can't Pray the Baby Away" would be a more suitable title, considering the prevalence of the abstinence movement and their goals.

I weep for the children who gain such a burden so early in their lives.

Re: How MTV's “16 and Pregnant” May Have Reduced Teen Pregnancy

#8
Logically speaking, we could apply this the other way as well, right? I wonder what horrors shows like "Keeping up with the Kardashians" and "Housewives of Beverly Hills" have done to our society. "But it's just entertainment, I don't take it seriously"......bullshit Karen, bullshit!!

Re: How MTV's “16 and Pregnant” May Have Reduced Teen Pregnancy

#9

I think the prevalence of plan B has reduced teen pregnancy

I would caution this thinking. Plan B pills are very expensive- $50 at your local Walgreens. Teenage pregnancies are highest in areas with high income inequality. Most of these families are living paycheck to paycheck, and the kids have no money. They cannot simply walk into a store and plop $50 on the counter after every time they have had unprotected sex.

Re: How MTV's “16 and Pregnant” May Have Reduced Teen Pregnancy

#10

I think the prevalence of plan B has reduced teen pregnancy

I would caution this thinking. Plan B pills are very expensive- $50 at your local Walgreens. Teenage pregnancies are highest in areas with high income inequality. Most of these families are living paycheck to paycheck, and the kids have no money. They cannot simply walk into a store and plop $50 on the counter after every time they have had unprotected sex.

Not "every time", because I'd say this is the kind of thing that is supposed to happen just once... or twice.

We all have been horny after all, but having unprotected sex just because of it means you have another problem I'd say 8-)

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