Introduction
Teenage pregnancy is one of the most acute social problems of our time. It has become one of the most discussed topics in the media. For example, recently, many documentary films and popular TV shows have dealt with this issue in depth.
In the media, the presentation of the problem is often based on stereotypes that emphasize the role of women and youth in early teenage pregnancy. For example, in celebrity culture, adolescent pregnancy is frequently presented as average or attractive. Although this is not always the case, some celebrities use their pregnancy to draw attention to themselves.
Stereotypes and Sensationalism in Media
The media has long been a platform for discussing teen pregnancy. From MTV’s Teen Mom to the documentary Fifteen and Pregnant, the media offers an array of representations of teen pregnancy. However, these representations often rely on stereotypes, erasing the complex realities of teen pregnancy. For example, the Teen Mom franchise portrays teen pregnancy as a sensationalized event, focusing on the situation’s drama rather than the experience’s realities. This sensational media reinforces the stereotype of teen pregnancy as a disruption of everyday life rather than an experience many young people face.
Celebrity culture also plays a role in discussing teenage pregnancy. Some celebrities, such as Jamie Lynn Spears and Kylie Jenner, have been in the spotlight due to their pregnancies at a young age. In addition, in some communities, teenage pregnancy is considered normal and not discussed as a social problem (Akella, 2018). Teenage pregnancy may be associated with stigma and social rejection in other communities. These stereotypes and stories can influence how the problem is represented in the media and how it is perceived by society.
However, the representation of the problem in the media can also be limited by interconnected systems of power and privilege. For example, in some regions, poverty and lack of access to education and healthcare may lead to higher rates of teenage pregnancy. In the US, teenage pregnancy is more prevalent among African American and Latinx girls, who often face lower levels of education, limited access to healthcare services, and higher levels of poverty (Akella, 2018). However, these factors may be overlooked in the representation of the problem in the media because they are connected to deeper systems of inequality and privilege.
Media’s Potential Role in Education and Awareness
These characteristics suggest that media portrayals of teen pregnancies may be constrained and fall short of accurately capturing the complexity of the problem. Furthermore, the media may overlook some critical aspects, such as the need for broader access to education, healthcare services, family planning, and support for parenting at a young age. However, despite these constraints, the media can play an important role in bringing attention to teenage pregnancy and informing the public about its consequences and ways to prevent it. For example, many youth magazines in the US contain articles about sexual health and contraception, as well as materials about how to prevent teenage pregnancy (Akella, 2018). In addition, the media often hold interviews with experts and people with experience with teenage pregnancy, which can help inform the public about the issue.
Conclusion
In conclusion, media representations of teenage pregnancy can give viewers practical suggestions for supporting and countering this problem. However, it should be deep enough to uncover subtler social issues, such as stereotypes, invisible or erased stories, and interconnected systems of power and privilege behind the problem. In this way, the media can do its part to change attitudes toward teenage pregnancy and its resolution.
Reference
Akella, D. (2018). Socio-cultural influences on teenage pregnancy and contemporary prevention measures. IGI Global.