Teen Mom, the controversial MTV series that advertisers aren’t feeling from, still scores its share of criticism from folks who think it glamorizes teen pregnancy. (It doesn’t. It makes teen pregnancy look awful. But these girls do get paid to be on camera.) Who’s coming to the show’s defense? Ms. Rosie O’Donnell, who thinks the series will keep her own teenage daughter from getting knocked up.
“I have to say it’s interesting,” O’Donnell says from Sundance. “My daughter [Chelsea] is 13. I watch it with her. I think the fantasy for adopted children is to have a baby of their own, and then keeping it, which their mother did not do. … The rate of teenage pregnancy is up, so when my daughter saw that [Teen Mom 2] was on the air, I said ‘Let’s watch it.’ … At the end of almost every episode the mothers say they wish they used protection or waited, ‘My whole life is over,’ or ‘I can’t live the life of a teenager.’ I think it sends out a positive message.”
My, my. Whatever resounding endorsement might she give Jersey Shore?
NY152
At least a network is trying to give this discussion exposure. At some point something has be done about this and every episode is pealing back the wrapper on this taboo subject. Good for MTV for taking a stand and making this an informative platform for parents to open up dialog about teen pregnancy. Rosie always gets hell for supporting what is right. Somebody has to step up eventually and I’m glad it’s Rosie. I hope this subject comes up on her up and coming talk show on the new OWN network.
ALEX
She watched the show with the daughter that is just the right age for such fare, then they discuss it afterward. Sounds like sane, excellent parenting. Go, Rosie!