Taking a break from partying hearty, MTV explores the lives of pregnant teens in "16 & Pregnant" (10 tonight), a six-episode series that allows teenagers to tell their own stories of their experiences with unplanned pregnancies.
The first episode offers a stark portrait of teenagers dealing with a life-altering change to what they had planned. Southern girl Maci and her first boyfriend Ryan are nearing the birth of their son, Bentley, and the stress is taking its toll.
"It seems like every time I bring up something baby-related, Ryan's not interested in talking about," Maci says in voiceover narration.
Later she says, "I know Ryan is dreading this baby, but would it kill him to pretend to be supportive." This is just before she rides and ATV, while pregnant, prompting her to go into 30 hours of labor.
The show follows Maci before and after giving birth and chronicles how she and Ryan handle having a newborn in their apartment. (Ryan's first act upon gaining a child: He gets the kid's name tattooed on his body.) Two months after the birth, Ryan is checking out to hang with his buddies and talk of marriage has ended. Two months later, Maci says, "Ryan and I aren't even trying to make it work anymore."
"Pregnant" isn't all complaining and sadness. There are moments of humor and familial togetherness but it's mostly a reality check about the consequences of one particular action. As such, it's a public service that MTV is putting the show on the air. It should be required viewing for all sexually active teenagers.
Posted
Jun 11 2009, 01:08 AM
by
Rob Owen