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There is remarkable data showing that the television show "Sixteen and Pregnant" reduces teen pregnancy rates in locations where it is shown. This would tend to

There is remarkable data showing that the television show "Sixteen and Pregnant" reduces teen pregnancy rates in locations where it is shown. This would tend to support your hypothesis. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2014/04/09/how-mtvs-16-and-pregnant-led-to-declining-teen-birth-rates/?utm_term=.523213462be8 https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/w...

KekDemaga 9y ago
Looks like the result was more positive than that though I'm curious how they came to the final conclusion: "Using data from Google Trends, Twitter, Nielsen ratings and Vital Statistics birth data, Professors Kearney and Levine found that teens who watch “16 and Pregnant” immediately go online to search for (and tweet about) birth control and abortion. Through some very impressive and fascinating dot-connecting, Kearney and Levine found that “16 and Pregnant” led to a 5.7% reduction in teen births — a percentage that accounts for one-third of the total decline in teen births: 20,000 fewer teen births a year."
alasdair_ 9y ago
I'm almost certain that this was the initial effect, but later seasons (where every one of the cast members are reasonably wealthy due to cash from MTV) had the opposite effect. I can o ly find 2014 data right now rhough. Relatedly, "baby simulators" lead to an increase in teen pregnancy -https://www.statnews.com/2016/08/25/infant-simulators-teen-pregnancy/ https://www.statnews.com/2016/08/25/infant-simulators-teen-p...
- trprog 9y ago
  >teenagers are handed an electronic doll to care for for a day or two Not surprised this had the opposite effect. It completely misses what is, in my opinion, one of the most dramatic aspects of being a parent. It doesn't end until you die. Many parents have a baby that destroys the parent's sleep schedule for so long that it feels like it will never end. Then there is worrying about your child reaching important feeling development milestones, worrying about your child's ability to make friends and to survive bullies, where will they go to school? "how can those shoes be too small? We just bought them!" etc etc. A child is a never ending stream of things to worry about. Any bozo who has been provided with the most basic baby care instruction can take care of a baby for 48 hours. Simply knowing that there is a fixed period in time at which it is over makes it manageable.

KekDemaga 9y ago

Looks like the result was more positive than that though I'm curious how they came to the final conclusion: "Using data from Google Trends, Twitter, Nielsen ratings and Vital Statistics birth data, Professors Kearney and Levine found that teens who watch “16 and Pregnant” immediately go online to search for (and tweet about) birth control and abortion. Through some very impressive and fascinating dot-connecting, Kearney and Levine found that “16 and Pregnant” led to a 5.7% reduction in teen births — a percentage that accounts for one-third of the total decline in teen births: 20,000 fewer teen births a year."

alasdair_ 9y ago

I'm almost certain that this was the initial effect, but later seasons (where every one of the cast members are reasonably wealthy due to cash from MTV) had the opposite effect. I can o ly find 2014 data right now rhough. Relatedly, "baby simulators" lead to an increase in teen pregnancy -https://www.statnews.com/2016/08/25/infant-simulators-teen-pregnancy/ https://www.statnews.com/2016/08/25/infant-simulators-teen-p...

trprog 9y ago
>teenagers are handed an electronic doll to care for for a day or two Not surprised this had the opposite effect. It completely misses what is, in my opinion, one of the most dramatic aspects of being a parent. It doesn't end until you die. Many parents have a baby that destroys the parent's sleep schedule for so long that it feels like it will never end. Then there is worrying about your child reaching important feeling development milestones, worrying about your child's ability to make friends and to survive bullies, where will they go to school? "how can those shoes be too small? We just bought them!" etc etc. A child is a never ending stream of things to worry about. Any bozo who has been provided with the most basic baby care instruction can take care of a baby for 48 hours. Simply knowing that there is a fixed period in time at which it is over makes it manageable.