Megan E Harrison1,2, Chantalle Clarkin3, Kerry Worth4, Mark L Norris5,3, Kristina Rohde3. 1. Department of Pediatrics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada. mharrison@cheo.on.ca. 2. Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Research Institute, 401 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L1, Canada. mharrison@cheo.on.ca. 3. Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Research Institute, 401 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L1, Canada. 4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada. 5. Department of Pediatrics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The media has long been established as influential in the formation of youth attitudes. It remains unknown, however, whether popular media depictions of teenage pregnancy and motherhood shape the meanings pregnant and parenting youth (PPY) construct. This study explored PPY's perceptions of media messages portraying PPY. METHODS: Five focus groups were conducted at three urban centres that service pregnant youth and young parents. Convenience sample of 26 participants was recruited across sites. Focus groups were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically. RESULTS: Participants were a mean age of 18.7 years. Participants felt that the storylines in television reality programs featuring PPY were highly incongruent with their lived experiences and that these representations glamorized teenage pregnancy while failing to capture other realities, such as financial hardship. Further, it was felt that such representations informed public opinion and created a double standard for teen parents. Participants felt that healthcare providers were not immune to media messaging; some participants reported withdrawing socially and others delayed accessing health services because of what they perceived as negative media-fuelled public views. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the need for heightened awareness of the influence of popular media on the portrayal of PPY. Acknowledging and challenging stereotypes of teen pregnancy, as well as initiating dialogue with youth about the impact media has on their lives should be encouraged as a means of facilitating ongoing engagement with health care services.
OBJECTIVES: The media has long been established as influential in the formation of youth attitudes. It remains unknown, however, whether popular media depictions of teenage pregnancy and motherhood shape the meanings pregnant and parenting youth (PPY) construct. This study explored PPY's perceptions of media messages portraying PPY. METHODS: Five focus groups were conducted at three urban centres that service pregnant youth and young parents. Convenience sample of 26 participants was recruited across sites. Focus groups were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically. RESULTS:Participants were a mean age of 18.7 years. Participants felt that the storylines in television reality programs featuring PPY were highly incongruent with their lived experiences and that these representations glamorized teenage pregnancy while failing to capture other realities, such as financial hardship. Further, it was felt that such representations informed public opinion and created a double standard for teen parents. Participants felt that healthcare providers were not immune to media messaging; some participants reported withdrawing socially and others delayed accessing health services because of what they perceived as negative media-fuelled public views. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the need for heightened awareness of the influence of popular media on the portrayal of PPY. Acknowledging and challenging stereotypes of teen pregnancy, as well as initiating dialogue with youth about the impact media has on their lives should be encouraged as a means of facilitating ongoing engagement with health care services.
Entities:
Keywords:
Adolescent parenting; Adolescent pregnancy; Media
Authors: Jane D Brown; Kelly Ladin L'Engle; Carol J Pardun; Guang Guo; Kristin Kenneavy; Christine Jackson Journal: Pediatrics Date: 2006-04 Impact factor: 7.124
Authors: Ola T Malabarey; Jacques Balayla; Stephanie L Klam; Alon Shrim; Haim A Abenhaim Journal: J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol Date: 2011-11-16 Impact factor: 1.814
Authors: Simone N Vigod; Cindy Lee Dennis; Paul A Kurdyak; John Cairney; Astrid Guttmann; Valerie H Taylor Journal: Pediatrics Date: 2014-02-10 Impact factor: 7.124
Authors: Anupa Gewali; Alana Lopez; Kristin Dachelet; Elise Healy; Marimirca Jean-Baptiste; Holly Harridan; Yolanda Evans; Jennifer A Unger; Amritha Bhat; Darius Tandon; Keshet Ronen Journal: JMIR Ment Health Date: 2021-09-15