Teen Pregnancy Rate Influenced by '16 and Pregnant' TV Show

Think reality shows are nothing but a bad influence on viewers? Think again. A new report from the National Bureau of Economic Research links a decline in teen pregnancy rates to the MTV show 16 and Pregnant.
A study released Monday by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) says 16 and Pregnant ultimately led to a 5.7% reduction in teen births in the 18 months after its premiere on television. This would account for about one-third of the overall decline in teen births in the United States during that period, researchers Melissa Kearney and Phillip Levine concluded. 16 and PregnantThe MTV reality show premiered in June 2009 and has been on for five seasons, with a total of 47 episodes through October 2013. The program features one teen every episode and follows her through several months during and after pregnancy. The documentary-style show inspired several spinoffs, including the popular Teen Mom. The full report is available for free from NBER to employees of the US federal government.

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