Running Head: MEDIA AND TEEN PREGNANCY 1

“Boy and Girl sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G, First comes baby?”

An analysis of televised portrayed teen pregnancy and its implications among today’s

teenage female youth.

Meghan Dahnke

Valley City State University

5/13/10
MEDIA AND TEEN PREGNANCY 2

Abstract

There is increasing evidence that teen pregnancy rates are rising in the United States. Ultimately,

teen pregnancy will bring about a large number of associated and challenging issues to

adolescent parents. To the best of knowledge, there is no previous work that has empirically

examined the associations between the portrayal of televised teen pregnancy and its effects upon

teenage female youth. Data from a content analysis which coded two television shows that

maintain an internet fan page discussing the depiction of teen pregnancy within these shows. The

data was used to assess whether exposure to the portrayal of televised teen pregnancy would

encourage relaxed attitudes and opinions about teen pregnancy. Additionally, to seek whether or

not teenage females found the illustration of teen pregnancy within these shows relatable. Results

showed that teenage female youth did have relaxed attitudes and opinions towards the illustration

of teen pregnancy within these shows, but did not find it significantly relatable. Determining a

valid link between the portrayal of televised teen pregnancy and its effects upon teenage female

youth was a difficult assessment. Further research is needed to expand and improve upon these

results.

Keywords: teen pregnancy, television show, content analysis, coding, fan page, results,

link, research.
MEDIA AND TEEN PREGNANCY 3

Introduction

After a decade of declining teenage “pregnancy rates rose 3% in 2006; nearly affecting 1

million young women 15 to 19 years of age, or 20% of sexually active women within this age

group” (Chandra, Martino, Collins, Elliot, Berry & Kanouse, 2007, p.1047 ). The effects of teen

pregnancy on teen mothers, and fathers, as well as their children are remarkable. Teen mothers

are more likely to drop out of school, require government assistance, and settle into poverty

(Docksai, 2010, p.1). On top of these challenges teen mothers also face childbirth risks including

low birth weight and limited motor skills. Children raised by teen parents are more susceptible to

become a teen parent themselves. Factors that contribute to teen pregnancy are multifaceted and

tangled. Research has indicated that one such factor related to teen pregnancy is its exposure

through television, yet empirical evidence has yet to be considerably established. What little is

known is that a link exists between televised sexual content and teen pregnancy. The present

study extends existing research by investigating the portrayal of televised teen pregnancy and its

implications among teenage female youth. The hypothesis of this study maintains a positive link

also exists. This literature review will explore identifiable trends regarding teen pregnancy and

television through three major themes and there relevancy. A desired outcome of this study is

that television is certainly recognized as one major factor that provokes results of teen

pregnancy. First to examine is the relationship between television and teen pregnancy.

Television and teen pregnancy.

The American public cites television and news as a primary source of health information

(Brodie & Foehr, 2001, p.192). Given that the media is an important source of information for

young teens, understanding what is relayed through it is even more important. Long-standing

concerns over negative images regarding sexual health have been one particular issue regarding
MEDIA AND TEEN PREGNANCY 4

television and teen pregnancy. Evidence from previous studies suggests that television programs

do not consider themselves in the business of health education (Hust, Brown, &L`Engle, 2008,

p.6). Missed opportunities are therefore created when television programs could approach health

education. In fact studies of sexual health on television reveal that sexual precaution messages

are rare: “only about 10% of sexual scenes in television programs popular among teens in 2005

contained a sexual precaution message” (Kunkel, Eyal, Finnerty, Biely, & Donnerstien, 2005,

p.6). When sexual health messages are presented they do have a positive effect on viewers’

behavior (Collins, Elliot, Berry, Kanouse, & Hunter, 2003, p.21). Television is a major activity

for people, as the average person can spend up to four hours a day watching. Sex sells, this is not

a secret and rings especially true when it comes to the appeal of television and its shows. In

conjunction it was found that in 2004-2005, 70% of programs feature one form or another of

sexual content (Kunkel, et al., 2005, p.6). Clearly television can play a role of peer guidance.

One of the ways television contributes to teen pregnancy is by creating relaxed attitudes

about contraceptive use. In reality 10% to 15% of programs mention the risks or responsibilities

of sex, including pregnancy (Chandra, et al., 2007, p.1047). To examine this portrayal is

especially important because a variety of theories exist that help predict the affect of media to its

viewers. For example, the Social cognitive theory, which states that observers can model the

behavior of someone they see in real life or in the media if the model is attractive and is

rewarded and/or not punished for behaving that way (Bandura, 1977, p.5). In perspective of this

research, if sex was emphasized as rewarding in a televised program, without depiction of

potential consequences such as pregnancy, this could send a false message that little risk is

involved with unsafe sex. An interesting dilemma is present when associating the Social

cognitive theory to the media: Viewers are expected to model the behaviors of like characters
MEDIA AND TEEN PREGNANCY 5

(most often a protagonist in a TV series) yet in interest of maintaining entertainment value

protagonist characters are the least likely to experience enduring negative consequences for risky

behavior (Nabi & Clark, 2008, p.407-408). As a result, even if these characters experience

negatives consequences from such are minimal. What is unfortunate is that a television audience

expects a miraculous “bounce-back” when in actuality the impact of this negative behavior is

reinforced, undermined, and may result in the behavior displayed. Here again we are presented

with a similar understanding: television viewers can experience a form of manipulated control

whether indirect or direct. One way in which this is distinguishable is through televised sexual

content and its role among races.

Sexual content and races.

A critical difference noticed by the effects television and teen pregnancy play onto each

other is seen among ethnic and racial groups. Studies have indicated a noticeable difference

between televised sexual content exposure and White, Black, and Hispanic teens in a variety of

age ranges. Exposure of such content in television accelerates white adolescents` sexual activity

and increases their risk of engaging in early sexual intercourse (Brown, L'Engle, Pardun, Guang,

Kenneavy, & Jackson 2006, p.1019). Whereas black teens appear more influenced by

perceptions of their parents’ expectations and their friends’ sexual behavior than by what they

see and hear in televised media (Brown et al., 2006, p.1019). Results that are even more

interesting were indicated through the Hispanic race: teens admitted that sex in the media

desensitized them to risks of, and increased their perceived pressure for participating in sexual

activity (Johnston, Rojas, Levitt, & Mika, 2006, p. 51). The perception of sexual content is taken

in a variety of different understandings when it is represented.

MEDIA AND TEEN PREGNANCY 6

Contrary to the evidence above is, Chandra et al., (2007) argues to recognize television as

one of many factors that may contribute to girls experience of pregnancy, and that there are

notable racial/ethnic differences in rates of early pregnancy. “Hispanic/Latino experienced

(137.9 pregnancies per 1000 teens 15 to 19 years of age in 2000) and black (64.8 pregnancies per

1000 teens 15-19 years of age) teens have significantly higher rates than white teens (27.5

pregnancies per 1000 teens 15 to 19 years of age). These statistics are not directly related to

television, but indirectly suggested by, Chandra et.al., (2007), as a possible result on the behalf

of televisions contribution to minor sexual behavior. One noticeable comparison is that Hispanic

teens from both researchers resulted in the higher range of media influence. Few results are

known about the sexual scripts and norms relayed through television specifically; in particular

when it comes to the dissimilarities between races. What is a bit more obvious is the difference

between male and female perceptions gathered from television.

Males vs. females.

Often are male and female stereotypes are displayed in television. Stereotypes are even

more reinforced when it comes to the depiction of sexual behavior between teen male and female

characters. Television programs popular among teens illustrate masculinity with being sexually

active and females as the more sexually responsible between the sexes (Hust, et. al., 2008, p.14).

Television characters between the ages of 12 to 22 have been found to experience negative

emotional, social, and punitive sexual consequences. more frequent in plots where female

characters initiate sexual activity (Aubrey, 2004, p.506). Here the misrepresentations of sexual

health behavior norms are set into place. Research has indicated that consequences relayed

through television for the most part indicate as physical. No research to date has explored the

differences in whether women or men are more likely to receive sexual consequences. Several
MEDIA AND TEEN PREGNANCY 7

themes have support sexual double standards in television programming popular among teens.

One of the most frequent messages relayed, “was that men view women as sex objects and value

them primarily for their physical appearance” (Aubrey, 2004, p.505). Understanding the

association between television and its portrayal of teen pregnancy among teenage female youth

is a difficult research subject to tackle. Lastly, like much of the information above, what is

available is scattered and incomplete. In summary, this has founded a goal of this study:: to help

answer and connect what information has been made available and what has yet to be

discovered.

Incomplete answers.

Central to all present research on the topic of television and teen pregnancy is that little to

no information is available. Developing a detailed analysis and drawing credible conclusions in

relation to just television and its portrayal of teen pregnancy is difficult at this point and time. As

mentioned earlier, what is known is that a positive link exists between televised sexual content

and teen pregnancy. Several suggestions from the authors above claim further research is

needed, ideally over a longitudinal period of time for a couple of reasons. First, to reinforce what

information already exists. Second, to illustrate a clear pattern that suggests television plays a

role in shaping teens reproductive health outcomes.

H1: Female viewers will find the depiction of televised teen pregnancy issues (scripted or

unscripted) relatable.

H2: Female viewers will demonstrate relaxed opinions and attitudes generated from the

depiction of televised teen pregnancy (scripted or unscripted).

H3: Caucasians will demonstrate a higher approval rating of teen pregnancy depiction in

television shows than African Americans, Hispanics, and other minorities.

MEDIA AND TEEN PREGNANCY 8

Methods

The data for this study was concluded from a content analysis measuring the effects of

televised teen pregnancy upon teenage female youth. The sample was drawn on two television

shows that maintain an internet fan page. The coding scheme looked at commented users who

posted comments about these shows and analyzed the frequency of their words. No internal

review board approval was needed.

Subjects.

Participants were selected through random sampling. The sampling strategy focused on

just female responses. The first 100 female commented responses in the selected content analysis

text were chosen.

Instrumentation and procedures.

A content analysis was conducted examining the portrayal of televised teen pregnancy

and its implication among teenage female youth. Two television shows that maintain an internet

fan page, blog, or discussion board served as the coded text. However, to be included in the

sample, the television show- fan page, blog, or discussion board being discussed had fit the

following criteria (a) the show being discussed features either scripted or unscripted adolescent,

teenage, or college aged characters under the age of twenty; (b) the show deals with issues of

teen pregnancy or brings frequent plot reference to; (c) the fan page, blog, or discussion board

will contain commented posts relating to the issue of teen pregnancy from the show; (d) the fan

page, blog, or discussion board will be considerably established and feature more than three

months worth of commented posts. The texts chosen for this content analysis included ABC

Family’s: “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” Facebook fan page
MEDIA AND TEEN PREGNANCY 9

(http://www.facebook.com/#!/secretlife?ref=ts), and MTV’s “Teen Mom” Facebook fan page

(http://www.facebook.com/#!/teenmom?ref=ts).

Words posted by the commented user within the fan pages serveds as the unit of analyses.

One of the major goals of this content analysis is to uncover thoughts and opinions of viewers

towards these shows. Utilizing this approach, pointed out and uncovered the frequency of key

individual words when commented posts were reviewed. For example: the words stupid, dumb,

fake, uncool, etc can all be generalized into a larger category such as bashing. Or words such as

cool, love, adore, empathize, etc could also be generalized into a glorification category. For the

purpose of this study the units of analyses (words) will be operationalized into the following

dependent variable categories: individual words relating to glorification of the show’s depiction

of teen pregnancy, individual words relating to bashing of the show’s depiction of teen

pregnancy, individual words relating to or giving of advice to the show’s depiction of teen

pregnancy, and individual words relating to similar past or present experiences as in comparison

to the show’s teen pregnancy. In addition to measuring the category units described above this

content analysis will also include independent variables: the websites host, race of commented

user, and miscellaneous.

In order to complete this content analysis the television show- fan page, blog, or

discussion board was coded for approximately 100 random commented responses (the first 50

from each show) into a code sheet [see table 1]. The content analysis was designed to measure

the impact of televised teen pregnancy upon its viewers. A desired outcome was to notice a

pattern in favor of the portrayal of teen pregnancy within these shows or against it. Ultimately, to

confirm the earlier mentioned hypothesis. Concluding the performance of this content analysis

the categories were analyzed for trend and frequencies later to be discussed in results.
MEDIA AND TEEN PREGNANCY 10

Limitations.

In some instances the coded fan pages featured more than one unit of analyses posted by

the commenting user; this brought about unexpected results. Examining the race and sex of the

comment post user was at times undisclosed, therefore unavailable for coding. There was also

difficulty assessing words into the proper coding categories due to vagueness.
MEDIA AND TEEN PREGNANCY 11

Results

The content analysis found strong statistical evidence against the first hypothesis and in

support of the second as well as third. Of the 100 teen pregnancy internet fan page commented

responses coded, 81% (n = 81 units) contained at least one glorified word of reference. Of which

included but were not limited to the following words: like, most, love, want, miss, more, favorite,

best, class, awesome, wish, and additional words of similar nature. Twenty-one percent (n = 21

units) posted words that bashed. Of which included but were not limited to the following: dumb,

stupid, sucks, fail, gay, cuss words, refuse, struggle, gross, and additional words of similar

nature. Eight percent, (n =8 units) utilized words that gave advice, such as loving yourself before

others, this character needs this person in their lives, or this couple needs to stay together, and

other comments similar in nature. Five percent (n = 5 units) focused on words that directly

related the user to the show. Of which included but were not limited to the following: I am a teen

mom, my baby’s daddy is the same way, I am a single mom like this character, I struggle just

like this character, and other comments similar in nature. Additional coding revealed 2% (n = 2

units) of no words, bashing, glorifying, advising, and/or relating were present in a single post.

Table 2 presents the data for the units of analysis contained in the content analysis. It will also

show the frequency, and percentage concluded. Table 3 reveals the content analysis

demographics, frequency, and percentage.

MEDIA AND TEEN PREGNANCY 12

Discussion

The primary goal of this study was to explore the possibility that, on television, teen

pregnancy issues were relatable to young female viewers. Secondly, that the depiction of

televised teen pregnancy creates relaxed attitudes and opinions regarding the consequences of

teen pregnancy. According to the data, the teen pregnancy show fan page content analysis

revealed that the depiction of teen pregnancy in television presented two major themes. First, the

depiction of teen pregnancy within these shows did not directly relate as strongly to female

viewers as originally predicted. Secondly, the depiction of teen pregnancy within these shows

does create relaxed opinions and attitudes towards its portrayal. Lastly, Caucasian races would

post the majority of comments within the fan pages (regardless of difference in words that

bashed, glorified, advised, or related).

The present study extended existing research between the association of television and

teen pregnancy. It affirmed that races do differ in their interpretation of televised teen pregnancy

regardless if the show is scripted or unscripted. The data revealed that Caucasian were the most

readily to report a comment among the internet Facebook Fan Pages: “Teen Mom” and “The

Secret Life of the American Teenager.” As 60% of the 100 coded units were posted by profile

users that publicly disclosed their race as Caucasian. This data supported H3: Caucasians will

demonstrate a higher approval rating of teen pregnancy depiction in television shows than

African Americans, Hispanics, and other minorities. Eleven percent disclosed African American

as their race, while 5% disclosed Hispanic as their race. This content analysis revealed that all

three races were the most evident while coding. This is similar in the sense that, Chandra et al.,

(2007), was able to identify Caucasians, African Americans, and Hispanics as the most

identifiable races in her data. Which contends that teen pregnancy was the highest among
MEDIA AND TEEN PREGNANCY 13

“Hispanic/Latino (137.9 pregnancies per 1000 teens 15 to 19 years of age in 2000) and black

(64.8 pregnancies per 1000 teens 15-19 years of age) teens have significantly higher rates than

white teens (27.5 pregnancies per 1000 teens 15 to 19 years of age).” There is no direct statistical

relationship present between Chandra et al., 2007 and the data from this content analysis.

This study also confirmed H2: female viewers will demonstrate relaxed opinions and

attitudes generated from the depiction of televised teen pregnancy (scripted or unscripted). The

data discovered that 81% of commented responses provided at least one word of glorifying

reference to MTV’s reality show “Teen Mom” and ABC’s show “The Secret Life of the

American Teenager”. Most leading comments stated a love for each show, how the show was the

comment user’s favorite, how the comment user could not wait for an approaching season,

commented users desiring to know if certain main characters were pregnant. As mentioned

earlier sexual precaution messages such as teen pregnancy in television shows are rare: “only

about 10% of sexual scenes in television programs popular among teens in 2005 contained a

sexual precaution message,” (Kunkel, et. al., 2006, p. 6). Yet, when sexual health messages are

presented they do have a positive effect on viewers’ behavior (Collins et al., 2003, p.21).

Collins, et al., (2003), presents an inconsistency with the content analysis data, as 81% of

commented responses glorified the depiction of teen pregnancy. If sexual health messages were

presented as positively as, Collins, et al., (2003), states, why does such positive reinforcement

with televised teen pregnancy exist? The best answer to this question depends upon future

research.

What was not confirmed in this study was H1: Female viewers will find the depiction of

televised teen pregnancy issues (scripted or unscripted) relatable. The data discovered that only

5% of comment users directly stated words that related themselves to the issues of teen
MEDIA AND TEEN PREGNANCY 14

pregnancy and/or its characters among the shows; contrary to the original expected outcome.

One commented user coded in glorifying the issues of teen pregnancy in the content analysis

identified how she could relate to being a recent teen mother. She even described with pride how

she watches MTV’s “Teen Mom” with her two-year old daughter. This particular commented

user even stated how she wished her life was similar to one of the shows characters. A parallel

similarity is present to the social cognitive theory which asserts that observers can model the

behavior of someone they see in real life or in the media if the model is attractive and is

rewarded and/or not punished for behaving that way (Bandura, 1977, p. 5). Again, this particular

commented user desired to model herself as a mother through the televised perception of the

character in which she was admiring.

Correlating previous literature to the results achieved in this study is difficult. Previous

research fails to address the portrayal of televised teen pregnancy and its implication among

teenage youth. What information is available is scattered, incomplete, and not directly related to

this study. This study is limited in several ways. These finding are not based on longitudinal

observation, so it may be that the data would illustrate a different pattern of the effects of

televised teen pregnancy if such did occur. The sample analyzed here, however, includes a

diverse nationally representative mix of females as it was collected through, Facebook, which

maintains that its site serves as a global social network. However, this national

representativeness was not directly reported for. It is also possible that some bias may been

introduced, because the content analysis was drawn from only one internet website, Facebook.

This sample also excluded male perspectives. Furthermore, it was unfortunately difficult to

determine the correct unit of analysis for the categories utilized. Often a commented user utilized

several words in a post that described more than one of those categories. Analyzing these results
MEDIA AND TEEN PREGNANCY 15

to previous literature was limited in nature, as little to no research directly exists to this studies

purpose. Thus, pointing out consistencies or inconsistencies was complicated.

Despite these limitations, this study clearly suggests that televised teen pregnancy

(scripted or unscripted) clearly plays a role in shaping teenage female youth perception. Given

the increasing rates of teen pregnancy in the United States, these findings argue for continued

research to fully understand the relationship of televised teen pregnancy and teenage female

youth. This is one of the first studies (to the best of knowledge) that established such a

connection. Further involvement form the American Academy of Pediatrics and other medical

organizations can improve the power of voice regarding the portrayal of televised teen

pregnancy. Their involvement may help highlight and improve the reality of consequences that

stem from teen pregnancy. It is also suggested that further statistical testing be conducted

including a chi-square to determine goodness-of-fit and distribution among categories. Finally,

to insure reliability of this study the coding scheme should be repeated within three months time

to reveal if similar results emerge.

MEDIA AND TEEN PREGNANCY 16

References

Aubrey, J. (2004). Sex and punishment: An examination of sexual consequences and the

sexual double standard in teen programming. Sex Roles, 50(7/8), 505-514.

Retrieved February 2, 2010, from Academic Search Premier database.

Bandura, A. (1977). Social learning theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

Brodie, M., & Foehr, U. (2001). Communicating health information through the

entertainment media. Health Affairs, 20(1), 192. Retrieved February 2, 2010, from

Academic Search Premier database.

Brown, J., L'Engle, K., Pardun, C., Guang, G., Kenneavy, K., & Jackson, C. (2006). Sexy

media matter: exposure to sexual content in music, movies, television, and

magazines predicts black and white adolescents' sexual behavior. Pediatrics,

117(4), 1018-1027. doi:10.1542/peds.2005-1406.

Chandra, A., Martino, S., Collins, R., Elliott, M., Berry, S., & Kanouse, D. (2008).

Does watching sex on television predict teen pregnancy? Findings from a national

longitudinal survey of youth. Pediatrics, 122(5), 1047-1054.

doi:10.1542/peds.2007-3066.

Collins, R., Elliott, M., Berry, S., Kanouse, D., & Hunter, S. (2003). Entertainment

television as a healthy sex educator: The impact of condom-efficacy information

in an episode of friends. Pediatrics, 112(5), 1115-1121. Retrieved January 28,

2010. from Academic Search Premier database.

Docksai, R. (2010). The truth about teenaged parents. Futurist, 44(2), 14. Retrieved

January 29, 2010, from Academic Search Premier database.

Teen Mom (2010). Retrieved March 30, 2010,

MEDIA AND TEEN PREGNANCY 17

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/teenmom?ref=ts

The Secret Life of the American Teenager (2010). Retrieved March 31, 2010, from

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/secretlife?ref=ts

Hust, S., Brown, J., & L'Engle, K. (2008). Boys will be boys and girls better be prepared:

An analysis of the rare sexual health messages in young adolescents' media. Mass

Communication & Society, 11(1), 3-23. doi:10.1080/15205430701668139.

Johnston Polacek, G., Rojas, V., Levitt, S., & Mika, V. (2006). Media and sex:

Perspectives from hispanic teens. American Journal of Sexuality Education, 1(4),

51-69. doi:10.1300/J455v01n04_05.

Kunkel, D., Eyal, K., Finnerty, K., Biely, E., & Donnerstein E., (2005) Sex on TV 4: A

biennial report of the kaiser family foundation. Menlo Park, CA: Henry J. Kaiser

Family Foundation

Nabi, R., & Clark, S. (2008). Exploring the limits of social cognitive theory: Why

negatively reinforced behaviors on television may be modeled anyway. Journal of

Communication, 58(3), 407-427. doi:10.1111/j.1460-2466.2008.00392.x.

MEDIA AND TEEN PREGNANCY 18

Appendix

Table 1 Coding Sheet for (Insert Content Analysis Title)

Case Independent Dependent

Variables Variables

Independent Independent Dependent Category Dependent Category

Category Title (i.e. Category Title Title Title
Gender) (i.e. Web Site Server
Host)

Table 2 Internet Teen Pregnancy Show Fan Page Content Analysis

Unit of Bashing Glorifying Advising Relating No

Analysis Words Words Words Words Words

Frequency 21/100 81/100 8/100 5/100 2/100

Percentage 21% 81% 8% 5% 2%

* Some of the comments coded in the content analysis did include more than one unit of analysis
(i.e. a commented user would have provided words that bashed the teen pregnancy show but also
glorified it within the same post)

Table 3 Internet Teen Pregnancy Show Fan Page Content Analysis:

Commented User Racial Demographic

Race Caucasian African- Hispanic Other Cannot

American Minorities Determine

Frequency 60/100 11/100 5/100 2/100 22/100

Percentage 60% 11% 5% 2% 22%

*Racial demographic was observed if commented post was accompanied by an assessable user
profile in which racial information was disclosed. The category “Cannot Determine” was coded
if commented post user did not disclose racial information.
MEDIA AND TEEN PREGNANCY 19

CASE Dependent Variable Independent Variable

"Bashing" "Glorifying" "Advising" "Relating To" Race of Miscellaneous

Words Words Words Words Commented (Symbols/Icons)
MTV's User
"Teen
Mom"
1 na na na na Caucasian <3
2 na like, most na na Caucasian :)
3 na gotta have that na na Caucasian na
4 na like, most na na Caucasian !
5 na should be TM2 na na Cannot determine !
6 na they were awesome na na Caucasian :(
7 don't watch, want a good reality show na na na Caucasian na
8 don't care for new girls want maci to have own show na na Caucasian na
9 na miss all girls from TM1, fans update me my daughter and I watch na Hispanic !
10 na love, favorite na na Cannot determine !
11 don't like new girls yes na na Caucasian !
12 na want update on new show, love them na na Caucasian !
13 na miss dem so much na na Caucasian !
14 can't stand miss, love, want more na na Cannot determine !
15 don’t want to buy season miss watching, want more na na Cannot determine na
16 na favorite na na Caucasian na
17 don't like current season miss them so much na na Caucasian na
18 na loved watching na na Caucasian na
19 na miss them, good mothers na na Caucasian !
20 don't like new girls miss old cast, good mothers na na Caucasian na
21 na yaay so much na na Caucasian na
22 na do another season, see more babies na na Caucasian na
23 na miss them na na Cannot determine na
24 na miss all them girls na na Caucasian na
25 na Maci&Caitlynn own show na na Caucasian na
26 na want another show of group na na African-American na
27 na na another season coming out na Cannot determine na
28 na miss C, M, A na na Hispanic na
29 not proud of show, girls have it na
easy na 17 -teen mom w/ 2 year old Caucasian na
30 na love it, when season 2 na na Caucasian na
31 na miss my maci na na Caucasian !
32 na na maci needs a cory na Cannot determine na
33 na miss them na na Caucasian <3
34 na yes, they were best na na Caucasian na
35 new girls gross old girls had class na na Caucasian !
36 na they were my fav na na Caucasian !
37 na show was my favorite na na Hispanic na
38 girls suck na na na Caucasian na
39 na miss them all na na Cannot determine na
40 na like, want na na African-American na
41 na bring back show na na Caucasian CAPS
42 na baby daddy awesome na better than mine Caucasian !
43 na na judge her na Cannot determine ?
44 don't open your legs/ dumb b* na na na Cannot determine na
45 stupid girl hope na na Cannot determine na
46 na I wish them the best na na Cannot determine <3
47 na na love yourself before others na Caucasian !
48 na miss them all, bring them back na na Caucasian !
49 na totally love that group of girls na na Caucasian na
50 na amazing na na African-American <3
 MEDIA AND TEEN PREGNANCY 20

CASE Dependent Variable Independent Variable

"Bashing" "Glorifying" "Advising" "Relating To" Race of Miscellaneous

Words Words Words Words Commented (Symbols/Icons)
Secret Life
of
American
Teenager

1 B*S* love na na African-American <3

2 lies, lies na na na Caucasian na
3 na chances fatherhood na have child and fatherless Caucasian na
4 na love, awesome na na Cannot determine na
5 na love secret life na na Caucasian !
6 na love this show na na Cannot determine na
7 na na Amy & Ricky stay together, cutena African-American na
8 na cant wait to see if Adrian is prego
na na Caucasian na
9 na cant wait for new season na na Caucasian <3
10 na love this show na na Caucasian na
11 na love, love na na Caucasian :)
12 na love, best show ever na na Cannot determine na
13 na love Amy & Ricky need to be a familyna Caucasian na
14 na really want to know na na African-American !
15 na I am going crazy, lol na na Caucasian !
16 struggling christians, s*,b* na na na Caucasian na
17 na love na na Caucasian na
18 na love this show so much na na Caucasian <3,!
19 na damn addicting, love, suspensena killing me na Hawaiian !
20 na love, love, love na love show more than bf Cannot determine !
21 na awesome na na Caucasian na
22 na great na na Caucasian na
23 na love this show shows what can happen in real life
na Japanese na
24 na love this show na na Cannot determine na
25 na guys, hot na na Cannot determine :)
26 this show is all about sex na na na Caucasian na
27 show sucks na na na Caucasian na
28 na want to know if pregnant na na Caucasian na
29 refuse to be a fan of a show of anabunch of sex addictions na na African-American na
30 na cool na na Cannot determine na
31 na best show ever na na African-American na
32 na biggest fan na na Caucasian :)
33 na go secret life na na Caucasian !
34 na love her na na Cannot determine !
35 epic fail na na na Caucasian na
36 na na na na African-American <3
37 na can't wait na na Caucasian <3
38 na can't wait, so exciting na na African-American na
39 na love it na na Caucasian na
40 na cool na na Cannot determine na
41 very gay na na na Caucasian na
42 na love the secret life of the… na na African-American na
43 looks stupid na na na Cannot determine na
44 na miss secret life, look forward tona na Caucasian !
45 na omg, cant wait na na Caucasian !
46 na show is the best na na Caucasian !
47 na show is my favorite na na Caucasian na
48 na watch every chance I get na teen mom and can relate Hispanic na
49 na really interesting na na Caucasian !
50 na love this show a lot na na Hispanic !