The “new Teen Momism”: 16 And Pregnant and The New “teen Mom” Identity
Open Access
- Author:
- Dunfee, Jacqueline Nicole
- Graduate Program:
- Media Studies
- Degree:
- Master of Arts
- Document Type:
- Master Thesis
- Date of Defense:
- May 04, 2012
- Committee Members:
- Michelle Rodino Colocino, Thesis Advisor/Co-Advisor
- Keywords:
- reality TV
teen pregnancy
MTV
neoliberalism
postfeminism - Abstract:
- Teenage pregnancy in the U.S. has been represented in popular culture in quite contradictory ways: as a serious social problem and an enviable, even glamorous youth identity. One important case in point is the television franchise 16 and Pregnant, a show that, together with its spin-off series, demonize and glamorize teen pregnancy. Above all else, 16 and Pregnant produces the spectacle of the pregnant teen as a new identity for reality television. The purpose of this thesis is to show how the content of the series 16 and Pregnant reflects and array of historical, cultural, and political-economic factors. I adopt a feminist perspective in my political-economic and textual analysis of the show and related media. The following analysis draws on Douglas and Michaels’ (2004) conception of “new momism” and Murphy’s (2012) conception of “teen momism” and applies these terms to 16 and Pregnant to explain how teen moms are constructed as both morally reprehensible yet also desirable figures that echo neoliberal and postfeminist ideologies. I discuss, specifically, how the series relies heavily on integrating neoliberal and postfeminist messages of personal responsibility, individualization, and self-management. I further argue that the construction of the “teen mom” identity within the 16 and Pregnant franchise represents a shift in previous images from “teen moms” as African-American, teenaged “welfare moms” to “teen moms” as white, middle class teens. Additionally, I demonstrate how the show also makes a media spectacle out of teen pregnancy while promoting itself as “educational entertainment.” Finally, I argue that despite its partnership with the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, the series focuses on producing an entertaining show by shining a voyeuristic spotlight on the cast’s personal lives all while promoting the tenets of neoliberalism and postfeminism.