Abstract
Theories are very important in understanding human behaviour.This is because a person’s behavior is a result of a particular theory. This paper tries exploring the effects of cultivation theory on human behavior. Besides, it establishes if there is any link between cultivation theory and Teen Mom.
Cultivation theory and the Teen Mom
Introduction
Teenage mothers have always made pregnancy to be seen as easy tasks (Baker, 2005). This a good example of cultivation theory when such programs are aired on televisions as they induce more teenagers to get pregnant. This is done in the long term. It is assumed that the more a person spends watching a television, the more there is tendency to believe the social truths conveyed by the television. This has to be observed over a long period of time. The most affected by this theory are teenagers who are constantly watching the media. This theory is derived from a variety of projects related to research whose indicators are cultural. These indicators projects on culture try to establish the links television has on the viewers (Park, 2012). Of great concern is how the programs of television affect the behaviors as well as the attitudes of teenagers. This is because of the programs revolve around teenagers. This has influenced their behavior in many ways. One way in which the media has influenced their social behavior particularly sexual behavior. This has resulted into many teenagers becoming pregnant.
There are many programs anchored in televisions. These programs show hoe teenage mothers glamorize pregnancy (Park, 2008). Programs with negative consequences would have bad repercussions. This is because teenagers also want to imitate what is displayed in the programs. An example where negative consequences of watching televisions are examined under cultivation theory is the effect of programs that go against the norms of a society. This has to be observed in a prolonged period of time cumulatively. Some programs that are anchored in television sets are full of wrong messages to the teenager. There are specific ones that have made teenagers engage in early sex as well as substance abuse (Baker, 2010). This could affect the people who spend most of their times watching such programs in a negative way. Those that encourage early sexual behavior could make teenagers contract sexually transmitted diseases besides pregnancy. Such programs make teenagers to belief that early sexual life can be practiced in early life based on the information provided in the television. On the other hand the television has many programs that are beneficial. These include being educative as well as a form of entertainment. In addition, they are used as teaching aid.
In the current world, televisions are part and parcel of every household. This means that families have access to the television daily (Baker, 2005). This has enabled them believe what is displayed in the television is a reality. This has affirmed their social theories. In fact, the television power is being compared to that of religion, in that that people are adhering to watching televisions as they obey the rules of religion. This is as a result of many teenagers who are addicted to the television programs
Televisions are glamorizing teen pregnancy. They have made people believe that Teen Mom is an easy thing to manage (Hoffert, 2002). These is because some teenagers who are pregnant have been seen doing very well while anchored in the television sets. This has made teenagers feel that when you become pregnant while a teenager, you will be in the television or any other media. This has influenced the teenagers to consider getting pregnant as an alternative for being famous. Thus, the cultivation theory is greatly influencing teenagers negatively to engage in early pregnancy. Sexually activeness is also induced by the media. Finally, the media has made programs on options that can be adopted by teenage mothers. This includes adoption as well as exchanging them for cash. These make teenagers believe that being a mother at teenage is an easy task.
The theoretical perspective
Theories are very important in understanding phenomena in life (Hoffert, 2010). They help us find ways of solving particular problems. The social ecological theory will be used. The approach looks at the factors in the environment that influence how people behave. These include friends, relatives as well as policy makers. In addition, the institutions around the place so as to explore their relevance in influencing the behavior of individuals (Hoffert, 2010). Teenagers who become pregnant are influenced by their colleagues who had once experienced it.They see them as having achieved as well as able to control their sexual lives.Thus,this model tries will be use][‘d to explain how the factors in the surrounding influence the behaviors of people. In this context, the programs as well as other teenage mothers
Literature review
Introduction
The role of media in glamorizing teenage pregnancy
Glamorization has highly been achieved by the media. Park (2008), states that the theory of cultivation was not put forward to study the relationship between the targeted and the desired outcomes. Rather, its aim was to on the influence of social behavior. As much people believe that watching programs in television sets does not influence behavior, the media has greatly contributed to the increase in teenage pregnancy. According to the national society of preventing teenage pregnancy (2007), teenage pregnancy has resulted into many children that have grown without fathers making teenage mothers to be regarded to be famous. This has led to more teenage being pregnant so as to be famous. Television councils are concerned on the impacts of teenage mothers being used as in the covers of magazines. This has made teenagers believe that becoming pregnant would land them on magazines. Thus, the media predisposes people to acquiring particular behaviors from child hood through to adulthood. These messages in a television are viewed repeatedly in a similar way thus influencing a person character socially (Baker, 2007). As much as the television is small, it is able to make crucial impacts on the characters of people.
The media has also been useful in addressing the challenges the teenage mothers endure (Hoffert, 2002). This include going through relationships that are strained to the hardships in terms of finance. A follow up on the teenagers after giving birth reveal that teenagers hand over the responsibilities of child rearing to the their parents. Balancing child rearing and maintaining teenage life crops up is a challenge (Baker, 2007).Finally, the health issues about the teenage mothers and their child becomes a concern. Thus, cultivation theory influences the life of teenage mothers in their actions and behaviors.
Analysis of the Teenage pregnancy
The behavior of an individual begins from childhood and goes through to adulthood (Park, 2008). Teenage mothers say admit that as much as it may be advantageous in one way, the overall effects is stressing. Thus, teenagers should abstain or use contraceptives in order to avoid dire consequences.
This era of the 21st century has catalyzed teenage pregnancy. There many attempts by the media to induce teenage mothers to share their stories in the media by giving cash to them (Baker, 2007). Since most teenage mothers are economically unstable, this is a way teenage mothers use to get money. The media uses such strategies to ensure that more teenagers are entertained by their programs.
There is need for people to integrate cultivation theory with the environment in which they live so as to avoid contracting personally disorders that could be detrimental to life. This will reduce the number of teenage pregnancies hence a reduction in the number of children born of single mothers. The overall aim will be to cultivate moral values in the teenagers so that the society can appreciate teenagers that are responsible.
References
Hofferth SL, (2002). "Early Childbearing and Children's Achievement and Behavior over Time". Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health 34 (1): 4149.Retrieved on 1st December 2012. From .
Park, A. (November 3, 2008). "Sex on TV Increases Teen Pregnancy. ‘Retrieved on 1st December 2012.From .
National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. (2007). Do most teens who choose to raise the child get married when they find out they're pregnant? Retrieved on 1st December 2012.Fromhttp://www.teenpregnancy.org/resources/teens/facts/fact14.asp.
Baker, Philip (2007). Teenage Pregnancy and Reproductive Health.Retrived on 1st December 2012.From .
