Explain why media representation of social problems is an important issue. What is an example o

Discussion Question:

1. Is teenage pregnancy a social problem? How does this topic reflect the social construction of problems? How does social location impact if you view this as a social problem?

2. Explain why media representation of social problems is an important issue. What is an example of a problematic representation?

Is teenage pregnancy a social problem? How does this topic reflect the social construction of problems? How does social location impact if you view this as a social problem?

Teenage pregnancy can be a social problem or not depending on where you are from and the culture around the society you come from. In a society where there are early marriages, then it is not a problem when teenagers get pregnant in their marital homes. However, in some places like the US, teenage pregnancy is a social problem. Alan Guttmacher Institute once declared teenage pregnancy an epidemic in his 1976 report. Historically teenage pregnancy was declared a social problem in North America (Fond et al., 2013).

In historical times, religion played a large role in morality. Women were expected to have children in their marriages which prohibited having children out of wedlock. Also, religion claimed that people should engage in sex in their marriages. With teenage pregnancy, all this was not maintained. Teenage mothers are seen as having moral decay and not able to care for their womanhood. They were seen as people who are irresponsible and lacked morals. Most women received criticism while their male counterparts were not. Also, teenage pregnancy was seen as bringing shame to the family and going against the teachings of the religions. Most girls were rejected by their families. It was also believed that whoever got pregnant should be married to whoever got her pregnant which increased teen marriages in some societies (Fond et al., 2013). In other social construction was that teenage pregnancy indicates irresponsible parenting where the parents have failed to take care and monitor their children and teach them good behavior. This led to mothers carrying the blame where when a girl got pregnant before marriage, they were blamed for doing a bad job as mothers of teaching them the moral standards and monitoring them (Skosana et al., 2020).

The social location has a great impact if you view this as a social problem. In poor neighborhoods, this is a social problem since the rate of teenage pregnancies is so high and alarming which makes the social groups seek intervention. In slums, many teenagers get pregnant due to some lack of moral support, financial, many sexual violence cases, and sometimes peer pressure that leads to reckless behavior.

Explain why media representation of social problems is an important issue. What is an example of a problematic representation?

Media plays a critical role when it comes to social problems. Sometimes they can promote indecent behavior or conditions with the way they report on it or the content they share may encourage indecency. However, they can help create awareness of the dangers and problems on the social problem and sensitize people on the need to take action against such. When the media shows movies and films that indicate irresponsible sexual actions, or drug use, many teenagers are likely to engage in sexual activities which leads to teenage pregnancies.

Also, when media makes adverts that tend to bring the masculinity of men through their sexual interaction with girls incites adolescent boys to practice that.

Reference

Fond M., Eni R., and Guimond E. (2013). Socially Constructed Teen Motherhood: A Review. The International Indigenous Policy Journal. 4(1). IIPJ.ORG. https://doi.org/10.18584/iipj.2013.4.1.8 (Links to an external site.)

Skosana M. T., Peu M. D., Mogale R. S. (2020). Disconnections and exclusions of parents in the prevention of teenage pregnancy: A phenomenological approach. International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences. 13 (100251). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijans.2020.100251.