2. BBC3: Underage and Pregnant
The BBC3 series follows a teenage soon to be mother as they cope with the problems
being a teenage mom brings. This documentary is observational because it follows the
mothers without changing the situation in any way. Also Underage and Pregnant could be
seen as educational because it is showing how hard pregnancy can be for a teenager.
Because of the strong language used in the documentary, it is scheduled at 10pm which
is after the prime viewing time. Also, I think BBC3 is a good channel for this programme
to air on because younger people watch BBC3 and by watching this programme it should
shock them into realising how pregnancy can affect a teenager.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00t6932
3. Channel 5: Teen Mums and Me
Teen Mums and Me is a documentary where Kym Marsh investigates what life is like for
teenage moms today in Manchester. As a teen mom herself, Kym Marsh provides an
insightful view into what being a teen mom is like first hand. This is an example of a
participatory mode of documentaries because it shows Kym Marsh getting involved in the
moms life and their daily routine. This programme is aired on Channel 5 at
10:00pm, which is considered prime time. This means at the programme would gain
more viewers, especially as they have a well-known soap star and singer to host it who
can share her own views and experiences to other potential teen mums.
http://www.channel5.com/shows/kym-marsh-teen-mums-and-me
4. BBC3: Kizzy: Mum at 14
BBC3 shows the life of Kizzy, a girl who, at 13, became pregnant and later gave birth to a
boy. The father, 15 year Louie, was horrified, and ran hundreds of miles away to his
grandparents house in Torquay. This documentary is observational, as it shows us Kizzy
and how she copes with her everyday life. It could also be educational as it teaches us
the danger of becoming pregnant at such a young age, and how difficult it is to cope with
a child at that age. Because of strong language and the content involved, this programme
is aired on BBC Three at 10:30pm, which is considered as after the prime viewing time. I
think BBC Three is a good channel for this to be on as it mainly gains younger teenage
viewers, and with such a programme, it would educate them into the world of teenage
pregnancy, and hopefully put them off becoming a teen mum.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWa31M9SKFQ
5. BBC3: Pregnancy; My Big Decision
This BBC3 documentary series shows the lives of two young girls, who both believe that
a child is for them, despite their age. 16-year-old Chantelle hopes to have a child with her
20-year-old boyfriend, whilst 14 year old Lydia is convinced she is independent enough to
raise a child even though she doesn't even have a boyfriend. As they follow the
teenagers in this observational documentary, they are both introduced to many different
situations before they make the big decision. It could also be educational as many
teenagers are now thinking about pregnancy at a young age, believing they are grown up
and mature enough to care for their own child. It was aired at 9:00pm, which is prime
time for television. This is to gain many more viewers, especially young teenagers who
are also considering the idea, and for the parents of children to educate them on what
their children may be considering the idea.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNnEBUa5fUM
6. BBC Learning Zone: Dear Nobody
This BBC Learning Zone programme comes from the docu-drama “Dear Nobody”, where
a teenage couple, Helen and Chris, begin a sexual relationship and face difficult
decisions when Helen becomes pregnant. Helen tries to focus on her education and
future, however when her emotional state starts to change, she realises it may not be as
easy as she thinks. This is mainly used online, for teaching purposes in schools. This
means the acting and situations are suitable for teenagers, not really for adults. This
would be considered as an educational documentary, as it is used in schools and
colleges to educate the students on the dangers of sexual relationships and pregnancies.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/dear-nobody-teenage-pregnancy-
pt-1-6/3714.html
