Recently, thanks to mentions on this blog, I've begun watching MTV's 16 and Pregnant on their website. I wasn't particularly impressed by any of the episodes, really, but then, this came to my attention, one episode from good ol' True Life.
Spoiler Alert
The episode is about adoption, but includes a sexually fluid young woman who considers having a loving gay couple adopt her child. Usually, sexually fluid and gay people have to wait for the "gay version" in order to be included in a show, but here, we queer folks were treated to top-bill mainstream inclusion. I don't know if I'm just too cynical, but I was very surprised. Additionally, she decides that being a mother just isn't for her. I had expected for her to be portrayed in a negative light because of that, but instead, the facts are simply stated: she isn't ready to be a mommy, the baby's father (who wanted to keep the child in the first place and was the one who dissuaded her from giving the baby to the gay couple) is one taking primary responsibility for her, and she does hope to be more involved in the baby's life someday. Little in the way of judgment or prefacing, just the facts of what occurred in the young woman's words. Of course, there are a few problematic aspects (the fact that the young woman breaks up with her girlfriend, probably due to the pressures of the pregnancy, just makes me sad), but overall, kudos to MTV for this.
End Spoiler Alert
I think that MTV needs to stop being cool. I need to resume my proper hipster hatred of it.
0 TrackBacks
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Dear MTV, Stop Making Me Like You.
TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.feministing.com/cgi-bin/movabletype/mt-tb.fcgi/15636
I haven't seen any of the episodes, but it sounds like a good series. However, I wish I could find just one example of a woman in a movie or in a tv show or book or SOMETHING where she has an abortion and does not regret it/is not portrayed in a negative light. Even if it's just a sub-plot in a much bigger story.. It'd make me really happy to see that.
Siby---Claire in Six Feet Under. No shame, no guilt, not trauma, no regret. And I will never forget it.
Ah, I've never seen that. Maybe I'll check it out. Thanks.
Christ, did you see that trailer for a film called 'dance flick' before that played? Jeez. Talk about racist and sexist all at once. Bloody vile.
I watched it straight on MTV's website and I saw no ads at all, actually, but when I clicked on the play button here, some ad started playing. Maybe my adblocker works only on the site but not on embedded versions.
I find it a bit disconcerting to label ANY media involving a sixteen year old contending with a pregnancy as "cool", no matter what her context may be.
Did you actually read what I wrote? This episode was from True Life, not 16 and Pregnant. The girl featured is in her 20s, not a teenager. Why don't you read what was written and watch what was posted before commenting?