The One-Sided Blues

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2010/01/30/tvs-teen-mom-explosion.html

  In the article TV’s Teen Mom Explosion, by Liz Goodwin, her purpose for writing this article is to inform readers that all these teen pregnancy shows aren’t teaching how to avoid being a “teen mom”; Goodwin says, “The new teen pregnancy shows aren't familiarizing viewers with ways to actually prevent pregnancy, or terminate an unwanted one.”  

  Goodwin doesn’t think these shows are doing anything but increasing the teen pregnancy rates. In the article Goodwin quotes,” “The United States has levels of pregnancy that are two to four times higher than European nations,” Heather Boonstra, senior public policy associate at the Guttmacher Institute, told The Daily Beast, arguing that an influx of images of teen pregnancy in the media, coupled with a lack of information about sex and contraceptives have created a “perfect storm of teen pregnancy.”

  In the article Goodwin gives you a lot of sources to read about, which is needed for a good article. Even though she gives a lot of sources, Goodwin is very biased. She gives her opinions on her viewpoint but doesn’t mention anything about the other side. Once again because of so many opinions I must say this isn’t a very reliable source.

Are facts Enough?

http://palyvoice.com/node/26681

  In the article, “MTV’s reality shows glamorize aspects of teenage pregnancies. More schools should implement programs like Paly’s “Baby Think It Over” project” by Bailey Cassidy; Cassidy gives more of a summary of teen pregnancy shows. Cassidy gives liable facts in this article but it’s mostly a summary.

  Cassidy’s purpose for writing this article is to tell people how a show is making teens want to become pregnant. She backs this up with liable facts such as, “MTV sells the show as a cautionary tale to discourage teenage pregnancy, but critics have recently speculated that it actually has the opposite effect. Doctor Logan Levkoff, a teen development expert, says that even though MTV illustrates the harsh consequences of steen pregnancy, there are many pregnant teens in pop culture that can really influence American teenage girls.”

  Cassidy’s viewpoint is that these shows aren’t helping, as the TV producers thought it would. She believes that he shows are making the teen mothers look like it’s all glamorious. Cassidy quotes, “The publicity and attention that these girls generate from the media essentially glamorizes.” She then goes on to give her facts.

   Cassidy gives a lot of facts and it helps understand the article more. Her article was recently written, the exact date it was written was March 17, 2011. She has more facts than opinions which is mostly what you’d see in articles that are reliable. Her article is more of a persuading piece of writing than an information article. If you want certain facts about teen pregnancies, this would be an article you might want to look at.  

The Two-Sides

    
http://nevadasagebrush.com/blog/2010/03/08/shows-promoting-teen-pregnancy-patronize-viewers/

   In this article the author, Enjolie Esteve, mentions both sides’ opinions on teen pregnancy shows. Esteve states, I quote, “MTV is obviously trying to deter young viewers from unprotected sex by showcasing the negative effects of teen pregnancy and how it can completely change, and potentially ruin, one’s life.” Obviously she adds her own opinions on the topic which is biased. Esteve tries to persuade you by defending the show. Since this is an editorial, she shouldn’t voice her own opinions. Esteve’s viewpoint on the topic is some what two-sided. She’s not all for the teen pregnancy shows, but she also states how teen pregnancy shows can help viewers.

    

    Esteve’s main idea for writing this article is to inform all types of people the pros and cons about teen pregnancy shows. You can tell this is her main idea because throughout the article she makes a statement like “While MTV’s tactic is meant to be a subliminal public service announcement, having the teen moms repeatedly talk about their inability to practice safe sex (with most girls blaming their boyfriends for not wanting to use condoms) and crying about how they just want to party like regular teens just makes the girls look like buffoons and exposes them for the naïve children they really are.” Obviously a con about teen girls on pregnancy shows. “MTV is obviously trying to deter young viewers from unprotected sex by showcasing the negative effects of teen pregnancy and how it can completely change, and potentially ruin, one’s life.” Esteve always gives pros though.

    This article isn’t very reliable because of the fact it’s all opinions. The article is recent and so is the blog that the article is on. If you’re looking for information, this article would not be the place to go.

Picture can be found at http://www.google.com/teenpregnancy