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Parents' Guide to

Teen Mom

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Docu takes a hard, unglamorous look at teen motherhood.

TV MTV Reality TV 2009
Teen Mom Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 14+

Based on 16 parent reviews

Mich B.
Mich B. Adult
May 6, 2023
age 16+

Showing the negative side to teen pregnancy

Despite what people may think about the show, I do not feel as though teen mom, glorifies, keen pregnancy, and in fact, is the exact opposite. Teen mom shows the hardships and ugly truth of what being a teen mom is like. From financial problems, drug abuse, abusive relationships, death, custody battles, and more teen. Mom shows exactly what it is like to be a teenager, Young and pregnant, while still in high school. well, I didn’t watch the show until I was 18, I feel girls who are still in high school 16+ would benefit from watching the show as every time I watch it just like birth control. Maci is my favorite Mom and I love watching her story, people need to understand that this show airs on MTV just like shows such as jersey shore and are not intended for younger audiences.
ladybugme 74
ladybugme 74 Adult
September 5, 2022
age 15+

Very bad example

This show is horrible and set a bad example for teens glorifying teen pregnancy is very sad. These girls looks like women instead of young teens with all the tattoos, makeup and all. We're being laugh at by other countries for thinking this show helps teenagers. U.S. is always promoting dumb shows that don't do anything to help prevent teen pregnancy but glorifying it as if there's something to be proud of its very shameful but I know the show will continue because it's all about the money not preventing teen pregnancy.
See all 16 parent reviews

What's the Story?

TEEN MOM -- a sequel to MTV's 16 and Pregnant -- looks at how four teen moms' daily lives have changed since their babies' arrival. Cameras follow each of the new mothers as they as they attempt to finish school, find a job, and maintain a social life while raising a young child. It also looks at the impact that their pregnancy has had on their friends, family members, and themselves. Though the show continues to document the challenges of the original "teen moms," a new crop of teenage mothers are being featured on TEEN MOM 2, which follows an identical format to the original.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (16 ):
Kids say (30 ):

Unlike 16 and Pregnant, Teen Mom offers an unglamorous and often uncomfortable look into the lives of teen parents in order to underscore what life can really be like when you have a child at such a young age. It also highlights some of the inner struggles the young women face -- from negotiating their role as a mother and a "typical" teenager to coping with the loneliness and isolation they feel when they can no longer socialize as they did before they got pregnant.

It isn't easy to watch these kids living with the consequences of the choices they made. It's even harder to watch them act like teenagers when they should be making more adult choices for themselves and their children. But it's this very discomfort that will hopefully act as a red flag for kids who are thinking (or not thinking carefully enough) about following in their footsteps. As the show has gained in popularity, the teen moms have received lots of attention in the tabloids -- both positive and negative (one mother was accused of domestic violence against her child's father).

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the messages that the media sends about sex and sexual behavior. How do TV shows and movies tend to portray pregnant and/or sexually active teens? Are these portrayals realistic?

  • How has the media treated the young mothers on this show? Have you seen them featured in celebrity magazines and TV shows? What kind of message does this newfound fame send to teens about the consequences of pregnancy?

  • What pressures do teens face when it comes to when it comes to having sex? Aside from pregnancy, what are some of the other consequences that teens face when they choose to engage in sexual activity? How about when they choose not to?

  • What changes take place when a teen has a child? What do you think is the biggest challenge for a teenage mom?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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