• Is it age appropriate?

  About our ratings

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  Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 16; suggested age 14.

• Is it any good?

  2.0

• Common Sense says

  Teen pregnancy docu is more voyueristic than informative.

Why We Rated This for Ages 14–16

The good stuff

• Messages:

  The show is nonjudgmental in its approach but is clearly told from the young mothers’ point of view. While it does highlight some of the harsh realities of having a baby at 16, it also focuses a lot on relationship problems. The babies’ fathers are often presented as ill equipped to handle the situation. One young mother contemplates giving her baby up for adoption. The teens featured in the series are from various racial/ethnic groups and socio-economic backgrounds.

What to watch out for

• Violence:

  Nothing physical, but there's frequent arguing between young parents (and sometimes their families).
• Sex:

  Lots of references to sex (specifically teen sex) and getting pregnant. Sometimes mild metaphors like “doing the hokey pokey” are used; more explicit descriptions are bleeped. There are brief discussions about the process of giving birth (water breaking, dilation, epidurals, etc.) The pregnant teens are often shown being examined by doctors or delivering, but there's no nudity.
• Language:

  Words like “damn” and “hell” are audible, while stronger words are bleeped.
• Consumerism:

  Brands like Huggies diapers and Good Start baby formula are clearly visible. Music by bands like Coco B's, Last Days of April, and Eugene is featured, accompanied by recommendations to go to the MTV Web site to download the tunes.
• Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

  Alcohol (beer) is occasionally visible. Some of the teen fathers go out partying with friends at bars and clubs while the young moms stay at home.

What Parents Need to Know

About 16 and Pregnant

Families Can Talk About