New NBC, National Campaign Reality Show Seeks To Deter Teenagers From Getting Pregnant

Main Category: Women's Health / Gynecology
Also Included In: Pregnancy / Obstetrics;  Pediatrics / Children's Health;  Sexual Health / STDs
Article Date: 20 Jun 2008 - 9:00 PST

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The AP/Denver Post on Tuesday profiled a new NBC reality show, called "The Baby Borrowers," that aims to deter teenagers from becoming pregnant. NBC worked with the National Campaign To Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy on the show, scheduled to debut June 25. The National Campaign, which often works with the entertainment industry to highlight teen pregnancy issues, has created a special discussion guide based on the program.

The show will feature five 18- to 20-year-old couples tasked with taking care of young children, adolescents and the elderly on camera. According to the AP/Post, the show sends a "clear message" for adolescents not to get pregnant. Amy Kramer, senior manager of the National Campaign, said that the nonscripted series is a format teenagers are used to. "It looks like a lot of other shows teens watch, but they also get this incredible message," Kramer said.

After NBC announced it would produce the show, Jan Hunt, director of the Natural Child Project, posted an open letter on the group's Web site that criticized the network "for the present and future emotional health of the babies and young children whose lives will be so strongly affected." Hunt also said, "Sudden removal from their parents and placement with strangers for long periods of time is from a baby's point of view no different than a kidnapping," adding, "It has been well-established that babies who suddenly lose their primary caregiver can quickly go into mourning and emotional depression."

The AP/Post reports that parents of the children were allowed to watch and intervene during the 18-day taping of the show and that all the homes were "baby-proofed." Trained paramedics and nannies also were on set, and all participants underwent checks and psychological testing (Lang, AP/Denver Post, 6/17).

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