The Pennsylvania State University The Graduate School College of Communications THE “NEW TEEN MOMISM”: 16 AND PREGNANT AND THE NEW “TEEN MOM” IDENTITY A Thesis in Media Studies by Jacqueline N. Dunfee © 2012 Jacqueline N. Dunfee Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts August 2012 ii The thesis of Jacqueline N. Dunfee was reviewed and approved* by the following: Michelle Rodino-Colocino Assistant Professor of Communications Thesis Advisor Matthew McAllister Professor of Communications Marie Hardin Associate Dean of Graduate Education College of Communications *Signatures are on file in the Graduate School iii 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 iv spotlight on the cast’s personal lives all while promoting the tenets of neoliberalism and postfeminism. v TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS..................................................................................................... vi Chapter 1 The Reality of Teen Pregnancy in the U.S............................................................. 1 Procedures........................................................................................................................ 7 Chapter Outline................................................................................................................ 9 Chapter 2 Literature Review .................................................................................................. 11 Reality TV in the U.S....................................................................................................... 12 Representations of Youth................................................................................................. 13 Representations of Motherhood....................................................................................... 14 Political Economic Approach .......................................................................................... 17 Feminist Approach........................................................................................................... 19 Chapter 3 The Politics of Teen Pregnancy ............................................................................. 23 Women, Mothers, and Backlash ...................................................................................... 24 Framing Teen Pregnancy in the U.S. ............................................................................... 27 A Presidential Address to Teen Pregnancy.............................................................. 28 The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy....................................................... 32 The New Reality of Teen Pregnancy ............................................................................... 36 The National Campaign's Media Interventions................................................................ 38 MTV and The National Campaign: Birth of a Reality Series.......................................... 39 Chapter 4 Introducing "New Teen Momism": 16 and Pregnant............................................ 42 Confronting Social Problems on MTV ............................................................................ 43 Commercializing Teen Pregnancy on 16 and Pregnant .................................................. 45 Casting...................................................................................................................... 47 Format ...................................................................................................................... 53 Promotional Potential of the Series.................................................................................. 55 Transitioning from "Teen" to Teen Mom"....................................................................... 59 16 and Pregnant and the "New Teen Momism".............................................................. 63 Chapter 5 Conclusions ............................................................................................................ 69 Discussion ........................................................................................................................ 71 Implications for Further Research.................................................................................... 74 References................................................................................................................................ 76 vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank my parents, Alan and Susan, for providing me with support and love throughout my life, especially throughout my college career. You have stood by my side through each of my endeavors and I couldn’t ask for anything more. I would also like to thank my committee chair, Dr. Michelle Rodino-Colocino. As one of my mentors, I admire your hard work and dedication to helping myself and other students reach their potential. With your insights and vast knowledge, I have grown as a scholar and as an individual. Dr. Matt McAllister and Dr. Marie Hardin, it was an absolute pleasure to have each of you on my committee this year. Both of you have helped me develop as a scholar and have pushed me to always conduct myself with integrity. This thesis was guided by your experience and knowledge, and would not be as comprehensive without all of your help, thank you. Lastly, I would like to dedicate this thesis to Dr. Jeanne Hall. You were not only a professor and mentor to me, but also a dear friend. Thank you for opening my eyes to see the world in ways I could have never imagined. I will always hold a place for you in my heart. 1 Chapter 1 The Reality of Teen Pregnancy in the U.S. In 2009 MTV teamed up with the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy (National Campaign) to create 16 and Pregnant, ostensibly, to reduce the incidence of teen pregnancy. The series 16 and Pregnant is an hour-long reality TV show that focuses on the trials and tribulations of real teen girls as they deal with unexpected teen pregnancies. Thus far there have been four seasons of the series with 47 regular episodes total, with an additional four “Life After Labor Specials”, three “Unseen Moments” episodes, two “Where Are They Now?” episodes, and one abortion special called “No Easy Decision.” Each week anywhere between 2.7-3.5 million viewers watch the show (Tvbythenumbers.com, 2011). According to the National Campaign’s (2011) website, the show intends to shed light onto prevailing public concerns about teen sexuality and teen parenthood in American society: “These stories offer a unique look into the wide variety of challenges pregnant teens face: marriage, adoption, religion, gossip, finances, rumors among the community, graduating from high school, and getting (or losing) a job. Challenged by incredibly adult decisions, these girls are forced to sacrifice their teenage years and their high school experiences.” As one 16 and Pregnant cast member put it, “I'm trying to stop [teen pregnancy] or at least try to make [teens] make better decisions like using protection or birth control.” To discourage others from making the mistakes she made, this cast member claims the show 2 spotlights the “struggles that you go through when you become a young mom" (Thompson, 2010). Arguments that 16 and Pregnant means to discourage teen pregnancy seem valid, to some extent. After all, the series was originally conceptualized after media coverage and incidents of teen pregnancy started to increase, from 2005- 2007. MTV executives claim that the topic would, therefore, be provocative to MTV’s audience of 12-34 year-olds. “As a development exec, I thought it was something that would be worthy of sharing with America—particularly when it was in crises with teen pregnancy”, said Liz Gateley, senior vice president of development