While MTV's 16 and Pregnant has become a pretty popular show (has anyone watched episodes? Thoughts? Our Bodies Our Blog has an early review), anti-choice folks are capitalizing on the series having created a website, 16andpregnant.com, to convince visiting show fans that abortion is physically and emotionally harmful.
I'm not positive that the website was created after the show was, but regardless it's a crisis pregnancy website that's coming off as a reliable and unbiased source of information that is, of course, completely inaccurate and dangerous. While it's priority to work towards exposing crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) for the harmful and deceptive faux "clinics" they are (after all, they're likely the ones creating these sites), what work can be done to address their online presence? After all, the first place a young person will often go for information is the internet.
At least I was happy to find that the MTV show has a section for viewers curious about pregnancy where they lead them to Planned Parenthood for (the right) information. Good on them.
h/t to the reader who alerted us to this!
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Actually, the site is owned by an adoption network. This one: http://www.lifetimeadoption.com/
And the site only says: "This choice should not be made quickly or under pressure. It's your body and your choice. There are physical and emotional risks to abortion. Before making any type of decision concerning abortion, ensure that you have all the facts." Seems like sound advice to me. I would want to know all the facts before I do anything.
It leads you to this site. These are not facts, it's blatant anti-choice rhetoric.
I found no anti-factual (I made up a word!) information on their site. However, it implies that while abortion is a dangerous choice you need to think about, adoption is the easiest, breeziest thing you will do. It has no consequences!
It's the deception that really gets me. If you're pro-adoption, then why pretend you're treating all options objectively? If adoption is the superior choice, why do you have to trick teens into going for it?
This web site is obviously happy to believe teen women are stupid and gullible and need to be lied to. Also, they should be shamed by "real stories" of regretted abortions.
I posted on my blog in response to this: http://femveg.org/blog
Something that also concerns me about the adoption-happy sites is that if I were a woman with an unplanned pregnancy who wanted to choose adoption, I don't know where I would go to find an agency that wasn't pushing a pro-life agenda. It is entirely possible to be pro-choice and give a born child up for adoption. I wouldn't want to be supporting a pro-life agenda by doing so, though. Is there any agency out there that is pro-choice and does adoptions?
If you're in the US, Planned Parenthood is usually a pretty good resource for things like that - it varies by region, but in Illinois, for example, they work with an agency called The Cradle, which doesn't seem to have any of the anti-choice rhetoric.
Not only that, but they actively tried to dissuade women from keeping their children. They talk about how expensive it is to raise a child but do nothing to talk about the help that is available. They are trying to scare teens out of becoming parents. I think that we should be every bit as angry about that as we (rightfully!) are about the poor information about abortion. While I think that adoption is a worthy cause, bully teens into carrying their pregnancies to term and putting the babies up for adoption is just plain wrong. “Choice” really has to be about the having the right to choose the best option, regardless of what that option is, and to have the support to make that choice feasible.
On an unrelated but still very important note, there is not a single person of color on that website. No pregnant teens with whom other pregnant women of color could identify and find comfort and definitely not any of the committed, happy families waiting to adopt featured people of color. This organization apparently thinks that people of color are so insignificant that they need not be mentioned. And it goes without saying that no same-sex couples would be featured. This group seems to be racist, heterosexist, and anti-woman. But really, what else should I expect from the right?
"Not only that, but they actively tried to dissuade women from keeping their children. They talk about how expensive it is to raise a child but do nothing to talk about the help that is available. They are trying to scare teens out of becoming parents. I think that we should be every bit as angry about that as we (rightfully!) are about the poor information about abortion..."
Exactly!
"...While I think that adoption is a worthy cause, bully teens into carrying their pregnancies to term and putting the babies up for adoption is just plain wrong..."
I totally agree. Seems like they think the existing children waiting for adoptions aren't good enough and want to encourage more teens to produce for them.
"I found no anti-factual (I made up a word!) information on their site."
On the 16andpregnant site? Or the pregnancyhelponline site that 16andpregnant links to?
The latter site is full of lies, value claims dressed up as facts, or misrepresentations. For instance:
"The baby can feel pain by the 9th week after conception."
"By the end of the second week after conception, the baby has a developing brain and a basic heart. This means that the fetus is not part of the mother's body, but is distinctively separate."
"20 weeks...it is important to know that babies born this early have survived!"
"he plain and simple truth of the matter is abortion is taking a child’s life. When there are so many alternatives available for women who find themselves pregnant, it makes no sense to snuff out the light of a child’s life, when that life could well bring love and happiness to another family, and may even contribute something extraordinary to the world some day."
Quoting directly from the site it leads you to when you click "learn more about your pregnancy choices":
"No matter what your personal views about abortion are, the fact is that every time an abortion is performed, life changes.
A child’s life is ended. A mother’s life will never be the same. The most significant question regarding abortion is, Why?"
This is obviously anti-choice rhetoric.
A child’s life is ended. A mother’s life will never be the same.
It SAYS that? Well, golly gee, I guess that when a mother gives birth to a child, whether to raise or put up for adoption, her life stays exactly the same as it was before.
There are more physical risks for pregnancy than for abortion, and certainly many more emotional trauma with adoption. And many, many more financial issues with pregnancy. And there's no emotional component of continuing an unwanted pregnancy? Does the website say that?
Plus, the emotional trauma argument has been disproven by the APA. Abortion is no more traumatic than any other big decision.
I agree that abortion is no more of a trauma than other big decisions or life changes. I would like to point out that the rapid hormonal and physical changes that occur after a second-trimester abortion, at least, can cause 3 or 4 pretty atypical days, emotionally and physically.
Lest you think I'm a concern troll, rest assured, I'm talking from experience about my own second-trimester abortion. It's been one of the best decisions of my life and I want to make sure all women have access to abortion beyond first trimester, like I did (because, among other things, we don't all have typical symptoms or recognize the atypical ones well enough to know we're pregnant). But the hormonal changes made for a difficult few days.
I guess I just wish everyone could talk about every aspect of abortion more openly-- so that women who aren't sure what they want to do can have as much information as possible. I don't want any woman to regret her decision, whatever that decision may be.
I was referring to research that the APA did that actually said that first trimester abortions (which are most of them) did not have the extreme psychological trauma that anti-choicers claim. Later term abortions and abortions with wanted pregnancies had more mixed results, which you'd expect. The further along you are, the more difficult it is. I should have specified that. Sorry.
That makes sense. Thanks for clarifying!
One thing I learned from the nurses and OB/GYN at the time of my abortion is that teenagers are more likely even than adult women not to know they're pregnant until second trimester or beyond. So I guess that's where I was coming from. I'd say that the hormonal shifts after an abortion can be unsettling even for an adult with a super supportive partner. So I'm imagining they might be even more difficult for a teenager. I wish teenagers could be able to learn about this sort of stuff without being shamed or pressured into valuing one option more than another.
I actually watched a few episodes recently and was surprised by the show. Honestly, I expected it to be awful but it wasn't. It felt honest. It definitely showed the hardships these girls and their partners have to deal with. It showed how they try to make it work and how things can fall through. It showed the strain on a relationship a baby can have and in many cases that the girls' expectations from SOs weren't met. They did show the good but I felt like the tone was more, "This is harder than I expected and requires a lot of growing up as a person and giving up of being a child," than, "Yay, I have a baby and it's awesome!"
Additionally, the episode with the one couple (Catelynn and Tyler) who chose adoption was particularly moving. It showed the thought they had to put into the decision and the process of adoption and how emotional it was. I was also impressed by the maturity of two teens telling their parents (who had been in jail, had drug problems, et cetera) that a baby needs more than just love to thrive and that they wanted the best for their child.
That's the only episode I've seen. I appreciated that it showed how difficult adoption can be. What enraged me was the parents' lack of support for their kids' decision -- their reasoning was completely selfish and illogical. It really makes me sad seeing kids who are more responsible than their parents.
Yeah, the conversation between Tyler and his dad when his dad said, "All a baby needs is love," to which Tyler replied, "No, dad, a baby needs more than love!" (not verbatim) was such a role-reversal.
I've seen one and a half episodes---overrall, it seems rather honest, not sensationalistic.
I have a few issues though:
1) The episodes I've seen both of the girls/families have strong southern accents. Overrall, I worry if this show will feed stereotypes....or give any other misinterpretation.
2) The girls do the narrative voiceover during the course of the show--it sounds like someone else has written the words, they sound rather cliche.
2a) The show is done from the girls' point of view.
3) Marci (sp?) is actually 17 and finishing up her senior year during the course of the show...so I wonder if all the girls we'll see are actually 16...somehow I feel that makes a difference, but maybe not?
There's one girl from Michigan, one from Iowa, one from Indiana, one from Colorado, one from Tennessee and one from Georgia. So it's not that bad geographically, though they could use some people from the coasts, I guess.
I have seen a couple of the shows and think that they actually do a good job. They aren't too romanticized like some shows about teen pregnancy (Secret Life of the American Teenager) and I think that it realistically shows some of the struggles of teen pregnancy. While I do have some problems with the show (for example, only one show discusses adoption and they skirt around the issue of abortion all the time), I think that overall, it does a good job.
I'm really sad that this website has tried to associate itself with the show. The show is actually linked with the website It's Your Sex Life (itsyoursexlife.com) that is all about educating yourself, getting yourself tested, and talking with your partner. And it's directed at teens, which is great.
Here is more about my take on the show: http://youngfeministadventures.blogspot.com/2009/07/im-not-normally-huge-fan-of-reality.html
I've seen a few of the shows and I think it's well done. I agree with Laura above- they are not romanticized and they don't pass judgement on the teens either. Which is good. I think if I were 16 and seeing one of these shows, it would make me think twice about unprotected sex. I saw one episode where the couple actually got along pretty well, and you sort of rooted for them to "make it." But after getting pregnant, the girl had to give up her dream of joining the air force because both partners can't enlist. Pretty real if you ask me.
My Mom, my siblings and I have watched the whole season, and watched the "reunion" show last night. What struck me about it was how honest all the girls were, and how Dr.Drew emphasized contraception. I actually remarked to my mom that they could never show this episode in a mainstream sex-ed class, because it talked so much about contraception. He asked each girl that was still in a relationship if they were using contraception, and they all were. The girls all advocated the use of condoms and the pill, and in one case, Depo Provera.
But the best part of the show was Catelynn and Trey's conversation with Dr. Drew. They are so responsible, and so mature, and you could see how much everyone in the room was impressed with them.
I'm with a lot of the other readers; I thought the show was very well done, definitely exceeded my expectations for an MTV reality show. The first episode I saw was about Ebony, the air force one mentioned by bklynchica. It broke my heart to see her trying to study, trying to graduate, trying to take care of this baby and yet knowing her dreams were crushed and her financial stability relied on this guy who couldn't even get his butt to class and was in danger of not graduating... yeah, definitely not romanticized. I also saw Catelynn's episode, which was a more realistic portrayal of adoption than something like Juno.
Athenia, in regards to your second point, that seems pretty common to most of the MTV reality shows that I've seen. It annoys me too. Also, I remember at least one other girl being a senior, so I don't think they are all necessary 16.
I think it's great that MTV is showing the reality of teen pregnancy. There was also a "Life After Labor" special where Dr. Drew talked with all the teens. One girl asked the others if they had been using condoms when they got pregnant. None had been. Let's educate teenagers, please, omg!!!
I'm not positive that the website was created after the show was...
The 16andpregnant.com domain was created in March of 2007, according to registrar records. MTV's "16 and Pregnant" premiered in June of this year. But the use of the notepad graphic appears deliberate to mimic that seen on MTV's website and the site does allude to the show. For example, in the "My Story" section, "Lizzie" writes: "I watched the show tonight about being a pregnant teen. I can relate. I am almost 16. My baby is 3 months old..." (emphasis mine).
"2a) The show is done from the girls' point of view."
Probably because the girls are the ones who are pregnant.
Yes, the girls are the ones that are pregnant. At the same time, it can have the effect of making teen pregnancy look like a "girl's problem," one that boys need not worry about or care about. A lot of this would depend on the boy's role.
I've only seen a few episodes, but in all of them the girls were still in relationships with (and often living with) the father of the child. I think the exception was a brunette girl who, judging by her fam's house, seemed to be pretty well off. In the shows where the couple is together, though, the show seems to do a decent job of capturing the male reactions.
And, yes, the show about the couple that gave the baby up for adoption was heart-breaking. So powerful, and much more realistic than Juno.
According to domain records 16andpregnant.com is been owned by LifetimeAdoption since 2007.
I saw about 10 minutes of one show and I was so disgusted. I saw a very pregnant girl and her boyfriend and they laid around the house. They acted like lazy bums. Her mother wanted to teach her how to make something like macaroni, and she didn't even want to learn. So I turned it off.
Whenever I see pregnant teens, I actually get angry because I think that they have made the wrong decision and they are going to struggle for their entire life. I really hate when shows and movies glorify teen pregnancy and don't show how hard it really must be.
But after reading everyone's comments, I guess I'm wrong. I thought the show was showing being a pregnant teen as a viable and ok thing to do, but it sounds like it's really doing the opposite. I actually think that might be much better than any of the abstinence-only propaganda taught to teens. Show them how hard it is and how much you give up and struggle. (While keeping in mind that girls who do go through this need encouragement and support.)
"...Whenever I see pregnant teens, I actually get angry because I think that they have made the wrong decision and they are going to struggle for their entire life..."
IRL, sometimes a teenager is pregnant because someone else made the wrong decision (like a boyfriend deciding to rape her, a grandfather deciding to marry her off, a mother telling her there's something wrong with her if she doesn't get pregnant before 20 like her mother did, etc.).
"...But after reading everyone's comments, I guess I'm wrong. I thought the show was showing being a pregnant teen as a viable and ok thing to do, but it sounds like it's really doing the opposite. I actually think that might be much better than any of the abstinence-only propaganda taught to teens. Show them how hard it is and how much you give up and struggle. (While keeping in mind that girls who do go through this need encouragement and support.)"
Good points!
You're absolutely right. It's not always their choice. Part of what I get angry about is that they don't have the right people in their lives to realize that the girls should not be pregnant (and to get them abortions).
"This choice should not be made quickly or under pressure. It's your body and your choice. There are physical and emotional risks to abortion. Before making any type of decision concerning abortion, ensure that you have all the facts."
All the site said was simply that there are "physical and emotional risks" to abortion. That is a medical fact. Similar to any other surgical procedure, it has risks. Having one's wisdom teeth or tonsils removed involves risks. That's why one is required to be informed of the risks by the surgeon. Would you rather that the abortionist not inform the girl of any risks and lie to her?
I think what empowers women and girls more than anything is knowledge and education. I believe that girls do have the right to be informed of the medical risks. In some cases, abortions can cause scarring of the uterus if the abortionist isn't meticulous in scraping the fetus out of the uterus. This scarring can lead to infection and infertility.
As a feminist, I think that educating the girls on fetal development is empowering to them. Some girls won't think that a fetus with a heartbeat is a person while some will. Why not weed out the girls that think that it is a person that may go on to be depressed after having an abortion? Why not fully educate the girls so we know that the ones that do decide to have an abortion were fully informed?
Informed consent is standard, FYI. I don't think anyone wants females to think that abortion is such a quick, easy & fun thing to do that they get the impression they should not bother with contraception. But neither should they be tricked into giving birth against their will with anti-choice lies and false claims. Did you read any of the things people posted above?
For instance, read what philfemgal posted (some of which is below):
By the end of the second week after conception, the baby has a developing brain and a basic heart. This means that the fetus is not part of the mother's body, but is distinctively separate.
By the end of the 2nd week it is not part of the mother’s body?????? The 2nd week? So, remove it then, and grow it in a Mason jar, if it's so separate and distinct. Oh wait, maybe it's not quite THAT separate yet. And won't be, till it's delivered.
20 weeks...it is important to know that babies born this early have survived!
Of course, they’ve had severe lifelong health defects and many are profoundly retarded…but anyway, I thought it was separate and distinct at 2 weeks. So doesn't that mean it can survive at 2 weeks on it's own?
"the plain and simple truth of the matter is abortion is taking a child’s life… it makes no sense to snuff out the light of a child’s life, when that life could well bring love and happiness to another family, and may even contribute something extraordinary to the world some day."
This is what you consider to be fully informing girls?
And FYI, females become depressed after giving birth. Some become psychotically depressed and try to kill themselves and/or their baby. Perhaps we should “weed out” those likely to experience post partum depression and encourage them to abort so as to avoid it all together?