Why I think "16 and Pregnant" and "Teen Mom" should be banned.

The general view of the MTV shows "16 and Pregnant" and "Teen Mom" is that they are train wreck television in all its tacky, dramatic and salacious glory.

MTV said it wants to show the gritty reality of teen pregnancy, and that these shows serve as a warning to other young teens. Television shows need to be watchable, and garner enough interest to bring viewers back every week. But what MTV actually does to get these viewers is to fill these shows with high drama, sex, violence and story lines that would shame a soap opera.
From make-ups to break-ups to domestic violence and loss of custody, "Teen Mom" has it all. And because of this, five good reasons emerge why these shows serve as nothing more than an invitation to be a star – as long as you’re a pregnant teenager with a back story to rival the characters from Beverly Hills, 90210.

Inspiring pregnancy:
Many teens who watch "16 and Pregnant" end up thinking that these girls and boys have difficult lives that offer no appeal. But ironically, having spoken to many teens on this topic, it’s clear that the kids who feel this way are the same kids would probably wouldn’t end up as teen parents anyway. These kids don’t look up to the teen moms, they use them as warning signs. If this is cool, they’ll take a pass. But the demographics most in danger of getting pregnant--young girls from poor and broken families, having a history of abuse or neglect or having had a teen mom themselves--are the ones inspired by this show. Not inspired to choose a different way of life, but to copy these girls and have a baby. Girls are trying to get pregnant in order to be on the show. This is simply a fact. Pregnancy has suddenly become a career opportunity. Girls talk about how famous the teen moms are, and how it must be great to be on TV and have their faces plastered on the covers of magazines. Because that’s the real reality of this “documentary” – it’s inspires others to follow suit, the very opposite of what MTV claims to want.

Exciting auditions:
MTV asks that teens apply to the show as soon as they’re pregnant because, obviously, “time is of the essence”. MTV said they want to show what “pregnant women” go through. These girls are not pregnant women, they are very troubled children who are now having children. MTV gives out information and instructions about auditions on its website. Hopefuls are told that they will be documented during this “exciting time” in their lives. Teen pregnancy is stressful, devastating and frightening. “Exciting” isn’t a word most parents would choose if their 16-year-old told them she was five months along. Apparently MTV feels differently. Finally, you must download a picture of yourself in your audition. Not that looks matter, right?
Fame:

The young mothers of "16 and Pregnant" and "Teen Mom" have been on the cover of major magazines dozens of times. There are photo layouts covering several pages, with the moms in full glamor makeup, fashionable clothes and their well-dressed babies by their sides, running along beaches and merrily laughing on park swings. The moms do tell of their struggles but a picture paints a thousand words. These glamorous pictures are huge and the text is tiny. Guess which one makes the first and loudest impression? These women are known as “stars”. They walk red carpets and pose for paparazzi. One of the teen mothers corrected an interviewer by telling him that she is not a star, and does not want to be known as one in case this inspires other kids to follow her patterns. But the others appear to revel in their stardom, getting their own makeovers, complete with makeup, hair and nails done to perfection, as tabloid photographers follow them the same way they do pop stars.

Fortune:
The average income for American families is $47,000 per year. MTV is a very generous employer. These teens are making $60,000 to $280,00 a year from making these episodes (in addition to payments from magazines and television interviews). Not bad for a teen who just happened to get pregnant. Judging by the numbers who are auditioning, this kind of salary is well worth getting pregnant for.

The aftermath:
So what happens to these teens once the documentaries are over and all they have become are overpaid reality stars, none of whom are still with the fathers of their children (aside from one couple who notably gave their child up for adoption) and some have yet to complete either high school or their third level courses? Some are still wrapped up in court proceedings for custody, financial or criminal activities and most have dysfunctional relationships with their own parents. Money, fame and glamour aside, these girls are left with nothing more than children they cannot afford, and men who have long left them for another. No one wants to see 25-year-old single mom shows. The novelty of being a teen mom will leave as these young women and their children get older. They will quickly turn into the mundane statistics of life and end up on "Where Are They Now?" shows with often sad updates. These shows serve as nothing more than garish side show circuses, with the babies as the only true innocents who are shifted to mother, to father, to new boyfriends, girlfriends and grandparents and anyone else who’s available. There’s more to being a teen mom than scoring the cover of People magazine. And these young women – and those that follow suit – need to be ready for the catastrophic fall-out that’s coming soon - to a TV screen near you.

These are just some of the thing that justify why these shows need to be pulled off the air.
1.Amber Portwood: is in a lot of trouble for attacking her fiance, Gary Shirley
2.Jenelle Evans:" (A train Wreck in my opinion)charged with breaking and entering and drugs possession. Later arrested over video fight
3.Farrah Abraham: choked and then hit by her 54-year-old mom in front of her child.. Latest breast implants..
4. Catelynn Lowell: Really having a baby with her step brother. (Had some sense put the child up for adoption for a better life)
5. Kailyn Lowry In February 2011, the father of Kailyn's child, Jonathan "Jo" Rivera, was charged with a marijuana related offense

These are just a few things and I am sure more will follow. TV is getting to glamorize this and make it seem like its the norm...

As always comments are readily accepted and appreciated.

Bullies??? "Can be good for children????

Well due to the recent you tube video crazy about bullies I feel inclined to post and things I have read, seen, experienced, and heard.

It is considered one of the most stressful experiences of childhood.
But standing up to bullies and classroom enemies can help children develop, psychologists claim.

A study has shown that youngsters are more popular and more admired by teachers and friends if they return schoolyard hostility in kind.

Although the researchers accept that bullying can be damaging to children, leading to depression and anxiety, those who are not afraid to stand up for themselves can benefit from being picked on.

'Mutual dislike' can help students develop healthy social and emotional skills - and can sometimes have a bigger impact on their development than friendships, the researchers claim.
In a study of American children aged 11 and 12, researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles, compared those who stood up to aggressors with those who did not.
Children who returned hostility with hostility appeared to be the most mature, the researchers found.

Boys who stood up to bullies and schoolyard enemies were judged more socially competent by their teachers.

Girls who did the same were more popular and more admired by teachers and peers, the researchers found.

While the study did not suggest that it was healthy to be the victim of bullying, it found negative experiences could teach children about conflict resolution.
It could also give them an early lesson that not everybody in life is going to like them, the researchers said.

Psychologist Melissa Witkow, who is now at Willamette University in Oregon, said: 'The study backs up research from academic Helene Guldberg, child development expert at the Open University, who said teachers should not protect pupils from playground spats as they can help them handle difficult events in the future.'

However, anti-bullying campaigners condemned her remarks at the time, saying teachers needed to be vigilant about the problem.
Some celebrities have reflected on how fighting back against bullies helped define their childhood.

Comedian Eddie Izzard said he became a 'rock' after fighting off bullies at the six boarding schools he attended.
'No one was going to give me a hard time because I was going to give them a hard time,' he said.
'I was already built to resist any problems that would come up.'

Michelle Heaton, the former Liberty X singer, was bullied at school because she was overweight.
'It was horrible but it made me a better person,' she revealed in an interview.

Now with all this in light this is my take.

My kids have been bullied, they tell the teacher and nothing happens, they come home and tell me and I report it- nothing happens. When both of my kids - with my blessing - finally fought back, all bullying stopped.

I've taught my kids to never start a fight but if they are bullied to fight back. Kids who bully do so because they get away with it but when you get that kid who defends themself...trust me, the bully thinks twice.

I would much rather have my child fight back and get suspended then to have them succumb to depression and suicide. It's not voilence, it's protecting yourself, emotionally, physically and from future bully's.

HardTail.....

As always I would love to hear your comments and replies to my post feel free good or bad to leave what you want..

Here is some links to kids being bullied and fighting back.. Bravo boys bravo..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7TYr4PFQGk