There is much debate over whether or not the media has an influence on teen pregnancy. A study by the RAND Corporation shows that adolescents are twice as likely to have sex or engage in sexual acts if they see similar sexual behavior in the media. Many items in the media that involve sex target teenagers. Reality TV shows and teen dramas often portray the "cool kids" as the ones who have sex (Chandra). Today's teenagers are heavily influenced by what they see in the media, which can change their behavior and choices. Some will say that the media does not influence adolescents, but how can we be sure? Today, the media depicts teen pregnancy in movies, television shows, magazines, music, news reports, and books. The problems caused by the media regarding teen pregnancy can be addressed through education, elimination of the glorification of teen pregnancy, and realistic depictions of parenthood. In the 1970s, the epidemic of teenage pregnancy was discovered. The problem of teenage pregnancy in the United States has spread like wildfire (“Teenage Pregnancy…”). Even though the teen pregnancy rate has increased, you haven't seen pictures of pregnant teens in the media. The only way this got into the media was through newspaper articles. Unlike today, the media did not make it into a positive thing. Unless you were married, being a pregnant teenager was considered a deviant act. Today you see pregnant teens on magazine covers, on TV shows, on billboards, and all over the Internet. At the time, it was normal for a couple to marry after high school and conceive children ("Teenage Pregnancy"). Women today are more independent and do not rely on men to earn money and provide for them. Therefore, ...... middle of paper ...... the mixing of media and adolescents has led to an increase in teenage pregnancies which can be corrected. Works Cited Chandra, Anita. Exposure to sex on television may increase the risk of teenage pregnancy. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corp., 2008. Print. Cherry, Andrew L., Mary E. Dillon, and Douglas Rugh. Adolescent pregnancy: a global view. Westport: Greenwood Press, 2001. Print. “Teen Mom 2 | Interviews after the meeting | MTV. » New Music Videos, Reality TV Shows, Celebrity News, News | MTV. Np, and Web. May 2, 2011. “Teenage pregnancy – Encyclopedia of children and childhood in history and society.” Internet FAQ Archives - Online Education - faqs.org. Np, and Web. May 6, 2011.Vianna, Natasha. "Does the Media Promote Innate Behavior? | Massachusetts Alliance on Teen Pregnancy." Alliance News | Massachusetts Alliance on Teen Pregnancy. Np, February 16, 2011. Web. May 2 2011.