MTV has announced that 16 and Pregnant will return with nine new second-season episodes beginning Tuesday, October 26 at 10PM ET/PT.
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In addition, the series also follows the girls for several weeks after they give birth to see how they are coping with motherhood and balancing their responsibilities with being a teenager.
While 16 and Pregnant and its subsequent Teen Mom spin-off have been criticized as glamorizing teen pregnancy, MTV has claimed the shows have had the opposite impact on young viewers and is touting a newly-released poll by The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy as evidence of its position.
According to the poll -- which surveyed 1,000 young people between the ages of 12-19 -- 79% of females and 67% of males believe teen pregnancy shows have made them think about their own risks of getting pregnant and how to prevent it. In addition, 82% of 16 and Pregnant viewers said they believe the show helps young people better understand the challenges that come with pregnancy and parenting.
"Teens have rendered a decisive verdict about MTV's 16 and Pregnant: it's gritty not glamorous, sobering not salacious," said Sarah Brown, CEO of The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.
"Some adults have suggested that the show makes teen parenting desirable. Thankfully, they are wrong. The overwhelming majority of teens who have seen 16 and Pregnant say the show makes the burdens and challenges of teen pregnancy very real -- not attractive or enviable at all."
16 & Pregnant premiered on MTV last year and is executive produced by Morgan J Freeman.
Teen Mom -- which follows first-season 16 & Pregnant teem moms Farrah Abraham, Maci Bookout, Catelynn Lowell and Amber Portwood -- debuted in December and is currently airing its second season on MTV.
About The Author: Steven Rogers
