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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

TV Programme 16 and Pregnany

25 replies

Higgledyhouse · 20/05/2011 21:34

AIBU to be utterly disgusted and how the parents of these pregnant teenagers seem to be so pro adoption, it's really bothering me how pushy they seem for their daughters to give up their babies! It seems that they are only wanting to support their daughters to make the decision they want, otherwise the lose parental support! I find it very upsetting. Anybody else watching this and feeling the same?

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GypsyMoth · 20/05/2011 21:35

is it the one in usa?

TheOriginalNutcracker · 20/05/2011 21:36

I was just thinking the same. A couple of the episodes, the teens themselves have been very up for adoption and of course thats fine, but in tonights case it is so obvious that this girl wants to keep her baby, but no one will help her.

pollypopsocks · 20/05/2011 21:37

I haven't seen it but it sounds awful

TheOriginalNutcracker · 20/05/2011 21:40

Someone really needs to help the girl in this episode

Higgledyhouse · 20/05/2011 21:45

Yes USA based, seen the same situation in the programme teen mom! Anybody else fall in love with the young couple from series one who chose adoption?

Re this episode of 16 and pregnant I want to scream at her parents! I think this girl is fab and would make a lovely mum with simply just a helping hand from parents! Why are they so relunctant? I just don't get it!

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troisgarcons · 20/05/2011 21:45

Lets see the options:

Teen mother - often going no where, shackled with a baby and no family support, ends up on welfare/benefit

Birth mother elects to offer for adoption: Loving couple wants a child and will cherish it.

Termination: a life time of guilt. Or not.

pinkthechaffinch · 20/05/2011 21:45

agree but the uk version goes too far the other way--admittedly I've only watched a bit of it
Ds (9) was flicking through the channels with me and caught the last half of one episode and I was struck by how 'doable' it seemed to him- showed the teenage dad laughing and playing with the toddler, supportive gran (s) heavily involved.

maypole1 · 20/05/2011 21:51

Yes I agree almost forcing them I have no issue with saying have the baby but we are not paying for it but they seem to be bullying the girls

The adoption laws are quite slack in the us to be fair so you can basically give you baby to any one with out them battin an eye lid an their seems to be no shame in giving your own choked away

HowToLookGoodGlaikit · 20/05/2011 21:54

Tyler & Caitlynn from season 1 were amazing, it was the right choice for them (their parenst were actually against it)

The poor girl from this ep really wanted to keep her baby and had no support from anyone, just badgering parents :(

howitis · 20/05/2011 21:55

YANBU Am I correct that the young pregnant girl was also adopted?

howitis · 20/05/2011 21:57

just watched the end and answered my own question.

GypsyMoth · 20/05/2011 21:57

no effecive welfare state over there....it will be the teen mums parents left to support them. support them all

bet the parents also reminded them about contraception

my 2 dd's love watching this rubbish.....and i love removing the rose tinted glasses and telling them the reality!

celebmum · 20/05/2011 22:06

I think it's sad for those babies who will grow up (happy a loved dearly by there adopted families) but to see that their birth mums made a tv programme about giving them away Sad

LauraIngallsWilder · 20/05/2011 22:23

What channel is this programme on?

Thanks :)

mummakaz · 20/05/2011 22:37

mtv and I think there may be another channel that plays it too

Yukana · 20/05/2011 22:46

I think that anyone who pressures someone into adoption/termination is wrong and it's disgusting how anyone would think of doing so in my opinion. For those girls it is their choice, not their parents. I don't think some people realise how giving away or terminating a baby can make a person feel.

ilovedora27 · 20/05/2011 22:48

I think tyler and caitlyn who gave up their child for adoption even though their parents were against it are brilliant. Even though their parents who were rubbish who took drugs, went to prison and were never their for them had the cheek to say Tyler and Caitlyn were 'selfish' for giving up their child.

I applaud them for being 17 and making that decision and really admire them tbh.

LauraIngallsWilder · 20/05/2011 22:51

Thanks mummakaz

dixiechick1975 · 20/05/2011 22:54

The lori one was very uncomfortable to see - she was adopted and her parents were totally pro adoption.

She broke down in the end and consented.

She was on a follow up - said she was happy but didn't seem it - parents had got her a puppy to replace the baby.

Higgledyhouse · 20/05/2011 22:56

Yep Tyler and Caitlinn, they were amazing, it sounds cheesy but they had a huge journey together! They proved so mature despite the lack of support or understanding at home. So brave, found their story heartbreaking even though like it is pointed about above they chose to go down adoption route!

Felt really bad for teenage age dad in this episode of 16 and pregnant, it seemed he had no real control! Still want to scream at her know it all and negative parents!

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ilovemy3girls · 20/05/2011 22:59

just watched this one on catch up and nearly cried felt really bad for them dont believe either of them wanted adoption they just didnt have enough support

Higgledyhouse · 20/05/2011 23:07

I know, what annoys me also is the idea that somebody with a 'hard life' for example a teenage single mum should just kiss goodbye to all her ambitions and that life is over for her now! I believe, not from personal experience mind that having a baby can be a really motivating experience too and can really add meaning and purpose! Why should everything be so easy?

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QualiaQuale · 20/05/2011 23:09

Well yes, but are you expecting the parents to just say, great, keep the baby then, we'll pay for everything and keep you both? Because thats what it amounts too, nobody else will step in and pay anything. It's not the same as in the UK.

Kiwiinkits · 21/05/2011 06:41

What bugs me more about the show is:

  • they ALWAYS induce the babies (which makes me think that the timing of the birth is being dictated by a large-budget television production company rather than the vulnerable parents)
  • they NEVER show successful breastfeeding, only babies having bottles shoved down their throats

Agree that Tyler and Caitlynn made the right decision. I also watched the follow up show on the other girl (who I think you're talking about) and in the end she was adamant the decision to adopt the child was the best for her.

BeeMyBaby · 21/05/2011 07:17

Kiwi - They don't always induce, I've watched lots of episodes where they spontaneously go into labour, or labor as they'd say... They never show successful breastfeeding because so few teens successfully breastfeed, the programme can't change that.

Have you all watched the follow up series of teen mom? I think this often shows that those who chose adoption gave themselves better chances, it also shows in some cases how badly they cope with parenting (Janice). I think the parents pushing for adoption are doing so for the baby's benefit, their daughter's benefit and probably for the benefit of a childless couple,I don't think they are being selfish at all.

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