Parents' Guide to

16 and Pregnant

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Teen pregnancy docu is more voyueristic than informative.

TV MTV Reality TV 2009
16 and Pregnant Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

age 14+

Based on 12 parent reviews

age 11+

I love the show, but sometimes these moms and dads really hit a nerve with how they treat the other parent.

I love the show.i watch it with my kids and let me tell you,y daughter is afraid to have sex, she sees how hard it is for young parents and refuses to be in that position, I thinkher son family could be a good learning experience and yes for others some kids might think or will let me go do this so the show could go either way but I don't feel I should get the brain I think it's great for kids at that younger age of age at 11 to start watching it considering they start getting interested in boys and girls. I think they should be watching this so they will see what happens because no babies should be having babies it is very rough I know because I was one however, I get very frustrated sometimes with the show because I watched some of these moms and you all should q be thankful when you guys have your baby's daddy that wants to be in your child's life and here you try to prevent it! like Dell, I felt so bad when I watch that episode tonight how his girlfriend and her mom treat him you know what if I was him I would take her to court and get visitation to where I can have my daughter and have her at my house as well because any dad that wants to be in their child's life should be! they're not just a paycheck and I think that that family needs to take another look I understand the rules in the religion I get it however that little girl needs her dad and he needs his little girl. I just think that parents need to have an open mind because your kids already did what you're trying to prevent them to do it's done they have a child trust them and trust that they're not going to do this again because it's rough being a teen parent ,I think some of these kids parents need to put themselves in their child shoes of being a single parent without the dad being there and imagine what that would be like for them because it's not easy I was a teen mom I raised my son by myself and then got married to somebody had kids with them then I raised 4 kids by myself by the time I was 31 it's not easy and it's not easy even being an adult doing it alone but you know what you do the right thing and if these moms and dads want to be in their kids lives nobody and I mean nobody should get in the way and no Grandma and Grandpa should prevent their daughter from allowing them in that they already have a child who are they to stop.the Baby from seeing their parents. whether anybody agrees with me or not Dell i feel for you I support you and I one hundred percent got your back you should be able to take your daughter overnight I mean come on I'm sure her mom takes her out and go to do shopping or what not to the store in the freezing cold so why can't her daddy have her overnight to bond with his child to I mean you may not have carried her but you made her your her supporter you have a right to bond with her too I think that family just being selfish. Dell never change. Continue to be in her life and give her all the love I know u have to give.. God Bless .hugs to all.
age 18+

A Complete and Discusting Failure

I think after 3 season the message has been made for teens not to have sex and get pregnant in high school. All this show is doing now is flaunting teen pregnancy and teen motherhood. After seeing these girls become rich celebrities people think "I could be a teen mom, go on this show, and become a rich celebrity too!" Not to mention the fact that most of the people on this show have been implemented in drugs, alcohol, DUI's, rehab, arrests, porn, assault charges...am I missing anything? Not exactly role models.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (12):
Kids say (23):

The show clearly underscores the tremendous impact of getting pregnant and having. But other than showing the expected pitfalls that come with having a child at such a young age, it isn't very enlightening. It also seems to intentionally focus on the problems between the young mothers and their babies' fathers, their friends, and their parents, creating moments that are more voyueristically melodramatic than informative. As a result, the realities of being pregnant and having a child at such a young age almost become secondary as the young moms try to work out their relationship issues.

While the show is relatively non-judgmental, its storytelling style makes it hard to really understand what exactly viewers are supposed to feel after watching. Still, thanks to the controversy surrounding teen pregnancy -- as well as young people's natural curiosity about the topic -- it's very likely that teens will want to watch. 16 and Pregnant may not be the best viewing choice on the subject, but the good news is that it still has the potential to generate constructive conversations about some of the choices teens are making about sex, relationships, and dealing with the consequences of their actions.

TV Details

  • Premiere date: June 11, 2009
  • Network: MTV
  • Genre: Reality TV
  • TV rating: TV-14
  • Last updated: October 26, 2022

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