Teen Pregnancy - Putting it into Perspective

We've been looking at teen pregnancy in the media, but now I want to put it into perspective. Just what effect do TV shows like "Teen Mom" have on teen pregnancy rates. I want you to look at stats of teen pregnancy in Canada and the United States. Find
1) Current data on teen pregnancy in both countries
2) 5 years ago
3) 10 years ago
4) 20 years ago

After you have found this put your information into a blog post titled "Teen Pregnancy over 20 years"

Also please include the answers to the following questions:

1. what do you notice about teen pregnancy rates over the years
2. Do you notice anywhere the data changes significantly. If so why do you think that is?
3. What impact do you think TV shows like "Teen Mom" have on current teen pregnancy rates?

Teen Pregnancy in the Media Part 2

Continuing with the theme of teen pregnancy in the media today you will need to answer the following questions about the clips from television show "Teen Mom" that we watched clips of in class.
Answer these questions in a post titled "Teen Pregnancy in the Media Part 2"
Search "Teen Mom" on YouTube to watch clips from the show or go to MTV.ca to watch full episodes if you need more information and knowledge of the show to answer the questions. The YouTube teaser clips should show you a good overview of some of the issues that arise on the show, 

1. Does the show create a negative or positive image of teens? Explain.

2. What effect might “Teen Mom” have on what teens consider “typical” behavior?

3. Are “Teen Mom” viewers more likely than non-viewers to perceive teen pregnancy as acceptable or even positive? Is the “celebrity” status of the cast members (the fact that teens are seeing them everywhere in the media) a factor in this? How might this influence teens’ own behavior? (Some have suggested that watching “Teen Mom” will make girls want to become pregnant in the hopes of getting famous, since some of cast member Jenelle’s friends actually became pregnant after she did.) Might a “likeable” cast member have more influence on teens than one who is perceived as “behaving badly”?

4. Do you think this show presents a fair and accurate view of teenagers today? Does the show promote prejudices or stereotypes of teens?

5. Which aspects of “Teen Mom” communicate that the show is “entertainment,” and which aspects communicate that the show is an “informative documentary”? Is a reality show like this a combination of both? Do both forms of media have equal influence on teens?

6. If teens are viewing "Teen Mom," are they likely to believe that teen pregnancy is increasing, or tat it is widespread in the U.S.? Are these things actually true

7. Do you think that the people on "Teen Mom" act the way they normally would or do you think they act a certain way for the cameras?

Teen Pregnancy in the Media

We are going to continue focusing on teens in the media, but this week we will be shifting our focus to look specifically at teen pregnancy.

To introduce the topic read and summarize the following article in a blog post titled "Teen Pregnancy"
After you have summarized it tell me if you agree or disagree with the article.

Teens Moms are Taking over Reality TV. Is That a Good Thing?

Teens in the Media - Is it Accurate?

We are going to continue looking at the portrayal of teens in the media for several more days. Today we are going to look at an article that analyzes how teens are portrayed specifically in the press. What you need to do is read the article and tell me if you agree with it or not in a blog post titled "Teens and Media Part 2"

'Hoodies, louts, scum': how media demonises teenagers

After you have discussed the article, in the same post I want you to answer the following questions. Think back to the assignment we did earlier this week to help you with this.


Think about how teens are portrayed in the media (news, TV shows, movies, music videos)

1. Do you think teens are portrayed accurately and fairly?
2. Does the media reinforce stereotypes? Are they realistic or fair?
3. Are the teens you see on TV like you?

Teen Representation in the Media

Today we are moving on from advertising to look at the representation of teenagers in the media. We will be analyzing how well teens are portrayed in the media in terms of how they are shown to act, whether they are shown in a positive or negative way and even who is representing the teens. Remember the PowerPoint we looked at earlier in the semester where we learned that many teens in TV shows are played by actors in their mid-20s and sometimes even 30s! (I'll include the PowerPoint in this post in case you need a refresher)

Your task today is to answer the following questions in a post titled "Teens in the Media"

1. Find two teen celebrities that are often in the media (for whatever reason). Compare and contrast them in aparagraph. Do they conduct themselves in different ways? What are they famous for? How do they appear in the media? Do you think that’s an accurate portrayal of teens?
2. Find two TV shows that are about teens (fictional or reality). Compare and contrast them in a paragraph. What does each show say about teens? Think about who is portraying the teen in the show. Are they an accurate representation of a teenager? How do the teens in the shows act?  Do you think this is a fair portrayal of an average teenager? If not, why?

Teens on TV PowerPoint 

Transformers

Just in case you need a reminder here are the questions that you need to answer about product placement in the movie Transformers that we watched in class.

Please make sure you hand in your list of products in the movie that you made while we were watching.

1. Is Transformers just one big advertisement for many different kinds of companies?  Why or why not? 
2.Did you feel that having so many product placements in the movie took away from the storyline?  Why or why not?  Please give as many details as you can.  You can also use other movies or TV shows you have seen before as examples.

Product Placement Prevalent in Music Videos

Watch this video about product placement in music videos and answer the following questions.

1. Do you think product placement is more or less effective than in movies? Why?

2. Have you ever bought a product because it was featured in a music video?

3. Do you think product placement takes away from music videos?

4. Should it be allowed?

5. Find 5 examples of product placement in music videos other than the examples shown in the video. If you don't know any look it up! You might be surprised what you find!