16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom Controversy

           

Everyone in the world has their own way of thinking. It is normal for individuals to have their own opinions on a specific topic. An opinion is formulated based on an individual’s lifestyle meaning the way a he or she lives life. Lifestyle consists of a person’s religion, career, family, home, and ideology. For instance, middle class individuals will have an extremely different view on a topic than lower class individuals. When an individual starts interpreting a situation based on lifestyle and the media, he or she is framing his or her thoughts according to what is being said in society. Once a frame is understood it will always be thought of. According to Lakoff, there are four morals that explain why a frame will never change and will always be thought of (    ). Moral one, every word evokes a frame (   ). Moral two, words defined within a frame evoke the frame (   ). Moral three, negating a frame evokes the frame (   ). Moral four, evoking a frame reinforces that frame (   ). Based on these four morals a frame is not easy to forget even if one does not agree with the frame. “MTV’s Teen Mom Glamorizes Getting Pregnant” and “16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom: Do these Shows Hurt or Help Teenagers?” are two articles with different frames.

The reality television shows 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom are always being talked about. The television shows were made to inform teens about the consequences of teen pregnancy. It is a very popular show that is viewed by many teenagers and adults. However, the message that the viewers are getting from the show is greatly debated. Many individuals are concerned if 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom are actually sending the message that teen pregnancy is something that needs to be avoided or if it is glamorizing teen pregnancy.

In the article “MTV’s Teen Mom Glamorizes Getting Pregnant,” is looking at the show as an ineffective way to show teenagers that actions have consequences and that raising a child is difficult even under the very best of circumstances (   ). Instead Henson believes that it is another show entertaining viewers and making teen mothers famous (    ). The frame of this article is 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom are reality television shows that do not send the correct message across to its viewers. The frame is formed using many examples of why the show is an ineffective way of informing teenagers’ teen pregnancy is bad. First, the program does not air on Discovery Health or any of the myriad of cable channels that might have taken a more serious approach to this public health and welfare issue (   ). It airs on MTV, a channel that is known for reality television shows that talk about drinking, clubbing, and sex. Activities teenagers and young adults all want to experience (   ). Basically 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom are reality television shows where teenagers and young adults watch to see what is new with the girls relationships with the babies fathers or their new body piercing or tattoos (   ).  Another way the article makes the frame stronger is explaining how on the front cover of “OK!” and “In Touch” magazines what is displayed is a picture of one of the teen moms and  a caption of what is going on in their life(   ). Most of the time what is talked about in the magazine has nothing to do with the baby (   ). It covers a story about teen mom and her baby’s father (   ). These are two examples that are given in the article that help enforce the frame.

However, the tone of the article also reinforces the frame. The tone is very serious and pessimistic. The article does not make the topic funny in any kind of way, and it also views the shows in a negative way. This helps the frame because individuals who read the article will only think about how the show is not accomplishing its goal. CNN is a mainstream media outlet that is read by many professional adults who are successful in their career. “MTV Teen Mom Glamorizes Getting Pregnant” is written by Melissa Henson the director of communications and public education for the Parents Television Council. This young woman has a stable career making her ideology different from individuals who are not in a stable career like she is. Many professional adults will be able to understand where this frame is coming from. They will be able to understand the main examples that the author Melissa Henson is giving throughout the article. Mostly because most people that read CNN are adults who are done with college and are very successful in their career. They share the same or a similar ideology as Melissa Henson because their lifestyle might be similar. However, if a teenager who does not have the same ideology on life than many professional adults do, will have a hard time understanding the main point of this article or might not ever read the CNN article. A teenage girl might find 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom as helpful shows that are entertaining and educational based on her ideology.

On the other hand, in the article “16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom: Do These Shows Hurt or Help Teenagers?” has a very different frame to “MTV’s Teen Mom Glamorizes Getting Pregnant” article. The frame of the article is how 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom inform teenagers of the consequences of becoming teen parents. The article has two important arguments which reinforce the frame. The first argument is how the shows’ characters deal with issues like fighting with disinterested boyfriends, to arguing with frustrated parents, to coping with a bunch of financial challenges (   ). Nelson believes that no teenager will want to emulate these activities or behaviors. All of these activities are stressful to the individual and lead to more problems. Another argument made in the article is how the shows will initiate parents to talk about sex to their teens and vice versa (   ). If parents are around while their teens are watching the show they might ask about the show and start a sex conversation. By teens talking to their parents about sex this will further the knowledge they have about unprotected sex. These arguments allow the reader to understand why the author views 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom as educational shows for teenagers.

Even though, the article “16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom: Do These Shows Hurt or Help Teenagers?” does not come from a mainstream media outlet it is still credible. The article’s credibility comes from the facts stated. For instance, the study revealed 79 percent of teenage girls and 67 percent of teenage boys said 16 and Pregnant makes them think about the challenges of teen pregnancy, especially if thy see a character they like have difficulties on the show (   ). Another fact, 76 percent of teens said a good way to initiate frank sex talks with their parents by seeing something on TV about relationships, sex or love (   ). These are only two of the many facts stated in the article that help persuade the reader that what the article is saying is true. It is an article which is written as a matter of fact accepting conditions based on facts instead of emotional input. This is an article that is probably not read as much as the CNN article, however, most its audience are probably teenager or young adults whom are more liberal with their thoughts. This article is likely to be understood by individuals who are not afraid to have their own opinion. It is easier for liberals to go against what most people think is right and the norm. Ideology is totally different for this type of audience because of their different lifestyle. Most of the audience for this article is in high school or in college where students are starting to learn who they are. They also do not have major many responsibilities leading them to have a more liberal train of thought.

 

 

Lakoff

To my understanding Lakoff was talking about how conservatives and liberals view the world differently. A liberal and a conservative will have different political and family views. What I found very important in the article is how conservatives follow the strict father model, which the father is the man in charge. He is responsible for his family and his wife which is his moral support. Viewing this model in a political perspective it basically means that the country should receive too much help from the federal government. Everyone is self-sufficient and should work hard to achieve their goals. However, liberals have the nurturant parent model, which consists of 1 or 2 parents that will protect their family. This model believes in helping others and chooses restitution: giving something for what you took. In a political perspective, it is important for the government to help its citizens for this model. I find both these ideas problematic because everyone in this world has their own view on things. It is difficult for us to admit that our opinion or beliefs are wrong. I think it’s important for individuals to be able to understand the other side of the story. Being able to see the world in a different perspective instead of always thinking everyone is wrong except you.  

gender

A typical stereotype for women is that they need to be beautiful, thin, and smart. Society wants women to have all of these characteristics. If women are not beautiful, thin, and smart, they should try to change themselves to become these three things. The typical stereotype for men is that they should be strong, intelligent, and good looking. Men are portrayed as the leaders of society, and the ones who have power.  These stereotypes/assumptions come from the media. The media is in charge of letting Americans know how individuals should act, look, and what they should strive for. I strongly believe that individuals should not listen to the media. Individuals should be happy with who they are and should not change to fit in society. Unfortunately, I think media has affected me and has shaped who I am today. I am always looking at fashion trends and workout exercises to stay fit. However, I don’t let it get to me like some individuals do. I exercises in moderation, and I don’t get depressed if clothes don’t fit me like it fits models. I know everyone is different. I can honestly say I am happy with myself, and I would not want to change. I hope girls don’t listen to what the media believes is the “ideal” way to look! Everyone is beautiful in their own way and no one should be told otherwise. There are ways the media can stop sending these gender stereotypes. For instance, they can start showing models that are not too thin or with perfect skin. Sending messages through the media that everyone should be happy with who they have become. If the media starts working on sending different messages, it could start changing the way society thinks. 

Race

I think most people’s stereotypes and assumptions come from their family. Children spend most of their time with their parents and siblings and listen to their thoughts about different concepts. For instance, if mom and dad are talking about a specific race, the child will pick up on the things they said. Children look at their parents as their idols and will believe anything they say. If a child grows up with parents who are super racist, the child will grow up with the same thoughts. These stereotypes and assumptions definitely influence who has power in our society. When a certain race is stereotyped as being lazy, it impacts many individuals. If a person that belongs to a specific race applies for a job and is stereotyped as being lazy, that might be the reason why he or she does not get the job even if the stereotype does not apply. In America, I strongly believe that Caucasians have more power versus African Americans just because of the history African American have gone through. This is very unfortunate because I believe everyone has the potential of being whoever they want to be. A person should not be judged on how smart he or she is depending on his or her race.