Teen Mom - Srsly?

mkrupar · November 2010

I just heard on the radio that the girls on Teen Mom make $65,000 a season! What? I don't even know how to respond to this. I must find an article to back this up.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/28/teen-mom-stars-big-salari_n_775543.html

So what we're teaching today's kids is get knocked up at 16 and we'll pay you for doing nothing but opening your legs and letting cameras follow you around for it. Isn't that like prostitution?

FWIW I watch the show, but this kind of upsets me. More than I can coherently put into words.

Thoughts?

ETA: Sorry this is a P&R got to go to the Grocery Store.

andy71781 · November 2010

It honestly does not bother me one bit. I think its a respectable number for mtv to pay them for the intrusion into their homes and lives. I think they need the money.
I think that the teen moms do a lot more than "spreading their legs" - they are actually doing a lot for pregnancy prevention.

NatandIsaac · November 2010

If you don't like that these women are getting paid to be on television, then you probably shouldn't watch the show. I hardly find it surprising; would you let a camera crew follow you around and document some of your most sad and embarrassing moments for free?

amber2123 · November 2010

I don't like it and don't watch the show because what is says to me is that if you're responsible and wait to have a child then you pay for everything, have on young and we'll give you 65000 for a few years.

aleighk1 · November 2010

Damn! That's a lot of money.

I guess that's good though but it kind of makes me feel like they're lying about struggling so much about jobs and school.

AmeliaMarie · November 2010

I'm not bothered by it either. I do wonder what they do with the money.

Rosie109 · November 2010

It appears Amber tans and does krav maga and Macy gets tattooed.

AmeliaMarie · November 2010

and neither work. Makes sense.

AdeleDazeem · November 2010

I admit to being bothered by it. I've worked hard to get quality education, NOT get pregnant, and be a responsible member of society. I'm not making $65,000/year let alone "per season." Call it jealousy, call it life being unfair, call it whatever you want - but I feel it.

Don't get me wrong, it's not that I think they shouldn't be compensated and I don't think $65,000/season is outrageous, but again - all they did was get pregnant. Damn, I could've done that at 16, too!

andy71781 · November 2010

Actually (as from the tv show) Maci doesn't work but I believe that Amber does work at a tanning salon. Farrah works too.

I guess I just think that in the grand scheme of things...giving a single mother $65,000 to help with bills and childcare is not that big of a deal for me.

They didn't just have to "get pregnant." They had their entire pregnancies and now lives taped and scrutinized by america. Can you imagine the pressure? I think its a fair salary to pay them and I'm suprised its only $65k.

kira&jake · November 2010

I can only hope that somewhere in that contract a percentage goes straight to the bank in the baby's name. As long as they aren't blowing the earnings and are actually trying to give their children a good future & college education then I'm ok with it.

mkrupar · November 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_teen-mom-srsly?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:7ef18191-86a7-46f2-aed4-ecb2ead970c6Post:be204ccb-0f4a-44cf-a0bb-ae7e5bb76ba1">Re: Teen Mom - Srsly?</a>:
[QUOTE]I can only hope that somewhere in that contract a percentage goes straight to the bank in the baby's name. As long as they aren't blowing the earnings and are actually trying to give their children a good future & college education then I'm ok with it.
Posted by kira&jake[/QUOTE]

This is the one thing I'm ok with. The first thought I had was I hope some of it somehow goes into a fund for the kids' education. I don't know, I guess it just bothers me like Joy said because I work hard to be a responsible person. Didn't get knocked up as a teenager, got a quality education, and work a full time job. There's no reason these girls can't be working if they're not going to school. Farrah does, but Amer quit her job so she could study for her GED, but I don't even think she's doing that. It does make me wonder what they are doing with the money if they're always crying poor on the show.

srkropf · November 2010

I refuse to pay for TV-- so I don't watch. However, I understand they should be paid for their services/interview, and the idea that it may deter other girls, however I think it's nuts for the parents of the girls, because the parents not the pregnant girls since they are minors who sign the agreements-- at least that's how it should work legally-- just like I think that John & Kate +8 was crazy, nuts, and wrong IMO

Birdie1483 · November 2010

I was actually surprised thats ALL they were getting paid, because I've heard what other people on other popular shows are paid.

I've also read that Amber doesn't work at the salon anymore. It was "too hard" to be a mom and work at the same time. She's really the only one that I don't want to have the money, and thats just because I have an opinion about her from what I've seen of her on tv. I don't think she'd put the money to any good use for Leah. I think the other girls will at least spend SOME of the money on their babies.

As for showing girls that they can get pregnant and get a tv show, I don't think that's very realistic. They're only 4 girls of thousands that get pregnant every year. I unfortunately have a negative opinion on the whole preventing pregnancy thing and I dont think the majority of teenagers pay attention or think about the consequences of other kids who got pregnant. Most think those things can't happen to them.

Tula214 · November 2010

How are they struggling teen mothers if they make that much money from the show???? I used to watch that show, but now they are all I hear about in tabloids, and magazines. Sick of hearing about their bad decisions.

andy71781 · November 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_teen-mom-srsly?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:7ef18191-86a7-46f2-aed4-ecb2ead970c6Post:35e0c199-c4a6-468f-b578-97aba6915440">Re: Teen Mom - Srsly?</a>:
[QUOTE]I heard that amount too and I don't think its completely unreasonable. Sure, they put themselves in a position to get pregnant at that age, but I don't feel like the show glorifies pregnancy or being a teen mom. I do think that the money needs to be divided out though. Would it be as big of a deal if the girls were making $65K but $25K went to the college/education for the kid, $10K a year went to childcare and $10K went to basic living expenses for the kids? Then its $20K a year for the moms. Maybe not those exact numbers, but I definitely don't think they should just be given the money and get to do whatever they want with it.
Posted by lovethebeach16[/QUOTE]
The only weird thing about this is I noticed that Catelynn's mom was driving a bmw. I wonder if the teen moms have any control over the money at all. If they are 18 I really doubt that they do actually.

Birdie1483 · November 2010

Andy, you bring up a good point. I wonder if reoccuring "characters," such as their parents, get paid as well?

crfische · November 2010

I'm way more down with these kids making 65K a year than ohhhh say....paying LC 100,000 an EPISODE to film the Hils.

Or whatever ludicris salary those Jersey shore kids make, which is more than 65K. If you talking about sending a message to kids, what about that one? They drink, get drunk, have sex, have fun with no responsibility. I also love that show, but I'm just saying.

This show does not, in my opinion, make teen pregnancy look like a walk in the park. All of those kids struggle. They don't glamorize being a parent at all. And, if I were a parent, I would be watching that show with my teenage daughter and talking about it as we go.

I doubt every girl who watches that show goes OH! IMMA GO HAVE A BAYBEE AND BE ON MTV AND MISS OUT ON ALL OF MY HIGH SCHOOL YEARS!!

andy71781 · November 2010

I feel like I need to see their contracts now. The internets are failing me at the moment.

sammichele · November 2010

At first I wasn't really opposed to it, because obviously they do have to get paid some amount of money for being on a TV show. However, I'm starting to get more and more concerned about the whole popularity level of the show. I don't think the show itself glorifies teen pregnancy, but why are People and Star and other tabloids starting to follow these girls around and writing stories about them? That part is getting to be concerning IMO. They aren't going to be famous forever. How long could this show possibly last? I just hope they aren't getting the wrong idea about this payment and keep going on with their education.

andy71781 · November 2010

This is all I could find and it makes me really sad.

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/celebrity/cops-called-another-teen-mom-tussle

Birdie1483 · November 2010

mkrupar, I think it sucks too that they're making more than me right now. However, i tell myself that in a year or two the show will be done and they'll stop getting the $65k. At least I'll have my degree and a decent job. :-/

chyleina · November 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_teen-mom-srsly?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:7ef18191-86a7-46f2-aed4-ecb2ead970c6Post:f05396c2-4a8f-4035-a12a-968c55c86a68">Re: Teen Mom - Srsly?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Teen Mom - Srsly? : Amber needs to see a doctor and get on better medication. And then some serious anger management classes. I think CPS needs to step in and remove Leah for a while so she really understands that what she is doing is not okay. I was livid at Dr. Drew for not laying into her on the season recap. I also can't believe MTV didn't offer to pay for counseling and everything else she/they need.
Posted by lovethebeach16[/QUOTE]

I agree completely.
If there is ONE thing about this show that needs to change, its that they allow her to act like that. I get that they want to show her struggles as a teen mom..but at some point SOMEONE needs to step in. She needs help. I feel sorry for Leah. She will only get worse if everyone just keeps allowing it.

jasmineh7777 · November 2010

You think these girls should be on this show for free?
I strongly disagree, to put it lightly. And I haven't gotten the "Yay, I got knocked up!" vibe from any of them. Way to judge though.

mlhubbard · November 2010

I read the Jersey Shore cast were each getting $30,000/episode! And Teen Mom had more viewers for the finale than Jersey Shore. I know I DVR it and they should be compensated for it! I think $65k should be the minimum!

tldh · November 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_teen-mom-srsly?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:7ef18191-86a7-46f2-aed4-ecb2ead970c6Post:e0854657-9985-4d0b-badf-6c58a5a3f1fb">Re: Teen Mom - Srsly?</a>:
[QUOTE]I admit to being bothered by it. I've worked hard to get quality education, NOT get pregnant, and be a responsible member of society. I'm not making $65,000/year let alone "per season." Call it jealousy, call it life being unfair, call it whatever you want - but I feel it. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I think they shouldn't be compensated and I don't think $65,000/season is outrageous, but again - all they did was get pregnant. Damn, I could've done that at 16, too!
Posted by Joy2611[/QUOTE]

This!!!

The mom's compensation should be minimum wage. Anything else should go into a trust fund for the kids.

I was wondering how Maci and Farrah afforded their cars.

mkrupar · November 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_teen-mom-srsly?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:7ef18191-86a7-46f2-aed4-ecb2ead970c6Post:18cf7a99-12ea-449b-ba2a-8f6f2b30ecc1">Re: Teen Mom - Srsly?</a>:
[QUOTE]You think these girls should be on this show for free? I strongly disagree, to put it lightly. And I haven't gotten the "Yay, I got knocked up!" vibe from any of them. Way to judge though.
Posted by jasmineh7777[/QUOTE]

I never said they should do it for free. I have mixed feelings about it. On one hand, yes I guess you could argue that it's a job (if you call inviting cameras into your home to follow you around a job), and on the other hand, where is all that money going if they're all crying poor. I wouldn't mind so much if I knew that some if not most of that money was being put away for the children's education. I never said, they're running around yelling "Yay I got knocked up." Don't know where you got that from.

ETA: Oh, and they're 16 year olds that got pregnant, when there are plenty of ways to prevent that. So yes, I do judge them. Plenty of people make it out of high school without a kid. it's not that complicated. I also judge how some of them are now living after they've had their kids. At least Farrah's working trying to take care of herself and her baby. Amber is lazy and doesn't work because "it's too hard", Caitlyn and Tyler are failing out of their senior year of high school, and Macy is taking her child over 2 hours away from his father for another guy. So I judge them for that too. They have kids now and need to be more responsible and put what's best for the child first. Caitlyn and Tyler, who I realize don't actually have thier child have all the more reason to be able to finish high school and go to college. They made their decision so they and Carly can have a better life, but they're not doing much to improve theirs.

Teen Mom - Srsly?

Re: Teen Mom - Srsly?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards