[img]958|left|Alex Campbell||no_popup[/img]Dateline Boston — Move over, Say Yes to the Dress; I’ve got a new reality show obsession! While flipping through channels on TV, I came across a show called Teen Mom 2. The show follows the lives of four teenage mothers and how they cope (or don’t). They struggle with relationships—with the fathers of their children, with their parents, with their friends. They think about how to make it in the world. They get jobs, go to school, and get help from their families.
The show is absolutely riveting. Each episode is half an hour. There was a marathon of them the other day—I must have watched six episodes, at least. The show itself is fast-paced. Each mom is highlighted in a 5-minute long snippet, so you’re always caught up. I was immediately hooked by each girl’s story.
Janelle has a son, Jace. Jace’s father is not in the picture, and Janelle’s mother has temporary custody of Jace. Janelle bounces from friend’s house to friend’s house with her boyfriend, who doesn’t go to school or have a job. Janelle has a toxic relationship with her mother. If you want to know how not to talk to your teenager, watch Janelle’s mom. She screams at her and belittles her. It’s awful to watch. Janelle eventually enrolls in college and gets a job, in an effort to get her life on track. Unfortunately, she also makes bad decisions, like stealing her mom’s credit cards and driving to New Jersey with her boyfriend. Her actions land the two of them in jail.
A Recipe for Volatility
Next up, we have Kailyn. Kailyn has a son with Jo, her ex-boyfriend. Since her mother wasn’t supportive of her, she lives with Jo’s family, as long as she doesn’t date anyone. She is a very responsible teen—she has two jobs and goes to college. Her hormones get the best of her, however, and she starts dating a co-worker, whom she had dated previously. After days of sneaking around, she finally comes clean to Jo, and he kicks her out of his house. In desperation, she moves in with her mom, but still gets support from Jo’s brother, who watches the baby while Kaitlyn is at school and work.
Chelsea has a daughter and lives at home with her father and the baby’s father. She dropped out of high school when she gave birth, and has found it difficult to go back. She wants to go to beauty school, but she needs either a high school diploma or GED. She decides it would be easier to get her GED. Her boyfriend, who apparently is on and off, doesn’t work or go to school. He seems to work on his car a lot. He hardly talks, and when he does, it’s in a monosyllabic monotone, often peppered with insults and curses. Eventually, he and Chelsea fight so much that they break up again and he moves out, but soon he’s trying to flirt his way back. Chelsea is struggling with her heart versus her head.
A Smooth, Straight Line
Leah seems to be the most stable, both in her relationships and as a mother. She lives with her boyfriend Corey, who is the father of her twin girls. They get along and are really great parents to the girls; very involved and loving. One of their girls seems to have an issue with her legs, so a lot of the episodes center on that girl’s health. They take her to various doctors and try to figure out what’s going on. In between all of the doctor’s visits, Corey proposes to Leah, and they get married. They set up in a new house, Corey works, and Leah cooks, cleans and takes care of the girls. After awhile, Leah craves time with people her own age, so she goes job hunting. She immediately gets a job at a dental office, where her mom works. Corey is worried that there will be men there for Leah to flirt with; he’s insecure, because he remembers when Leah cheated on him in the past.
Now, I’ve never watched soap operas in my life, but this plays out like one. I was glued to the TV the whole time this show was on. My heart went out to each and every girl on this show. It was like watching a train wreck, yet you could see the potential…if only. If only Janelle would break up with the boyfriend who seems like he’s got nothing better to do than get a free ride. If only Chelsea would study for her GED and tell her boyfriend to get lost. If only Corey would trust Leah and be more supportive of her job. I felt so proud whenever the girls made good decisions.
It’s hard being a teenager. I can’t imagine what it must be like to be a teen mom. Kudos to these girls for trying their hardest. It’s no glamour show, however; this show depicts real life, gritty and tough. I think every teen and parent should watch at least a few episodes together. I wonder if they show it to high school students.
I’d love to buy a big house, and invite these girls and their toddlers to all live together with me. We’d have parenting classes, preschools, job placements, art projects…well, there I go, the eternal dreamer. Here I am, talking about reality, and yet I’m dreaming of peace and harmony with teenage moms. Guess I’ll just tune in to watch more, and see what I can do in my area to work with teenage moms—now that will be a reality check!
Ms. Campbell may be contacted at snobbyblog@gmail.com
