Teenage Pregnancy Rates At An All-Time Low Thanks to MTV?

Have you heard the news? Teenage pregnancy rates are at an all-time low! This news has everyone from MTV to Planned Parenthood to crisis pregnancy centers squabbling to take credit. MTV reality shows 16 and Pregnant and its spinoff Teen Mom are being given pats on the back for reducing the teenage pregnancy rates to all-time lows, reaching a historic low of 34.3 births per 1000 women aged 15-19, according to the CDC as reported in this Time Health article on teenage pregnancy prevention. 

Okay, so that’s all the technical jargon . . . now on to the real talk. A few months ago I shot a video asking if teenage pregnancy was being glamorized by MTV and other similar reality shows.

Here’s what I said:

I know not everyone agrees, but I am leery of believing that an MTV reality show has much to do with the lower teenage pregnancy rates when the network aggressively promotes sex and is heavily marketed to teenagers and young adults.

I look at these teen moms, Farrah Abraham and Janelle Evans who have now become celebrities and wonder why in the world we are glamorizing these ladies. To me, it’s irresponsible that these girls are given notoriety and a platform to entice other young ladies down the same path they themselves chose.

Teenage Pregnancy Rates Can Stay Low If . . .

I believe in sexual integrity. That is, teaching teenagers (and everyone, really) how to respect their and their partners bodies and how to make sound decisions BEFOREHAND so as not to be caught off guard when shirts start coming off and body heat starts revving up.

I don’t live in La-La-Land.  I’ve shared my life as a teenage mom with my readers and how my choices affected my future. I know every teenager is not going to practice sexual integrity, but I still believe we need to teach it.We know that every teen won’t avoid drugs, but we still teach D.A.R.E and other drug-resistence programs in schools don’t we?

Okay, Here Comes the Controversy

I am torn in my belief about whether or not teenagers should be shown how to use birth control. Some teens just aren’t going to wait until marriage and I feel that offering birth control could be seen as condoning their behavior. On the other hand, I think it’s wise to help protect them against unwanted pregnancy. I know many of my fellow Christians disagree with me on this, which is their right, but I do wonder if more access to birth control has helped teenage pregnancy rates decrease.

What’s your take? Do you believe that MTV has anything to do with the lower “teenage pregnancy rates”? Do you think youngins’ should be taught proper birth control? Share your comments below. Don’t be skurred!