.http://www.philome.la/marsm100/now-a-mom/play
It is through the telling of stories and ideas that people can be taught and shown an issue. So often, the issue of teen pregnancy is pushed aside or portrayed in a way that leaves no room for want of improvement. It is like Adiche said, “Power is the ability not just to tell the story of another person, but to make it to the definite story of that story.” Again and again, teen pregnancy is portrayed as something that these young mothers brought upon themselves, and therefore, warranting no real help from society. That is why “Stories matter” (Adiche). Giving a voice to the issue gives us the opportunity for growth, for inspiration, and for change.
Learning to care for, learn about and invest interest in an issue and actually try to give such a matter a voice, an ear to listen, was a great chance to understand how to empathize, how to advocate. For my Twine game, I decided to pick a social issue that I have noticed has been inadequately addressed in society, more so, mainstream media, and that is teen pregnancy.
More and more, some issues like the aforementioned are being shoved aside or shown in a dark light. Or chosen as a plot device like in shows like “Beverly Hills 90210” or “Skins.” The pregnancies of these girls are used to give a plot twist for the characters, putting them in a dark, twisty situation, with usually no bright path ahead for these characters. Being pregnant is shown to be something that these girls brought upon themselves out of carelessness or ignorance. While many shows like “Teen Mom” try to more accurately depict the life of these young mothers, other like the aforementioned choose to use the pregnancy as a plot device, using this only as an element of surprise or short-spanned problem. Most TV shows or movies never really show what the route for teen moms can be, how they can seek help, more so, they depict this problem as an unovercomeable hell.
I chose this particular social issue because there is so much more attention that could be paid to it. Like Chimamanda Adiche said in her, The Danger of a Single Story talk said, “Stories matter, many stories matter.” This statement is significant because giving attention to problems in society that aren’t adequately addressed or approached is important. It helps give way for these issues to be helped, to be improved. So far, it seems like this problem is one that is continuing, and will continue to, greatly affect our society.
According to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, “Approximately 750,000 of 15- to 19-year-olds become pregnant each year”. This number is significant, and yet we don’t see many advocacy or organizations working to aid these young girls face troubles trying to reintegrate into society, into the lives they could potentially have. Further, they are opposed with struggles that are hard for anyone, let alone a young, teenage mom, to overcome. Society looks down on these girls and doesn’t offer much aid or hand for improvement.
It is through the telling of stories and ideas that people can be taught and shown an issue. So often, the issue of teen pregnancy is pushed aside or portrayed in a way that leaves no room for want of improvement. It is like Adiche said, “Power is the ability not just to tell the story of another person, but to make it to the definite story of that story.” Again and again, teen pregnancy is portrayed as something that these young mothers brought upon themselves, and therefore, warranting no real help from society. That is why “Stories matter” (Adiche). Giving a voice to the issue gives us the opportunity for growth, for inspiration, and for change.
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