Teen Mom

MTV makes a killing promoting debauchery among dumbass kids.

Watch these Jersey Shore clips and you won't argue that. But according to a new study, two programs on the network may actually benefit society.

America's teen birth rate plummeted in 2009 after rising from 2005 to 2007, and experts say 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom open youths' eyes.

Teen Mom's Maci Bookout and son Bentley.

THG recently debated whether Teen Mom glorifies teen pregnancy.

According to The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, it may do the reverse, as 82 percent of teens say the shows help them understand the challenges of pregnancy and parenthood - and why they should avoid it.

"Entertainment media is one of the nation's favorite punching bags, but it can be and often is a force for good," says group spokesman Bill Albert.

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Jenelle Evans stars on Teen Mom 2 (watch the trailer here) this January. Typical for a cast member of the MTV show, she's had run-ins with the law.

More than a few, in fact.

Her arrest two months ago for breaking and entering and marijuana possession was the latest in a series of crazy police reports involving Janelle.

Teen Mom 2 star Janelle Evans is the mother of 16 month old Jace.

She was arrested back in October of this year for breaking and entering, marijuana possession and paraphernalia possession. Not a good combo.

The Oak Island, N.C., native was busted breaking into someone else's place and was released on a $2,000 bond. She is expected in court January 10.

In October 2008, Jenelle was arrested for sneaking through a bedroom window to see her then-boyfriend and father of her baby, Andrew Lewis.

According to the police report, she “continued to refuse to leave even after her mother attempted to take her home.” Jenelle Evans was arrested.

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Amber Portwood would be proud. Teen Mom 2 promises major blowouts this January, including 19-year-old Jenelle Evans takes a swing at her own mother.

A brawl is sparked when her mom, Barbara, seeks custody of Jenelle's 16-month-old child Jace. Come to think of it, Farrah Abraham would also be proud.

Jenelle joins 16 and Pregnant alums Leah Messer, Kailyn Lowry and Chelsea Houska for a new season of medical scares, absentee dads and bad boyfriends.

Teen Mom 2 premieres January 11 on MTV. Watch the trailer here:

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Like Saved By the Bell, MTV's Teen Mom is ready to debut its new class. Only with babies, and with knocked up teens instead of Zach Morris knock-offs.

With Leah Messer (pictured) and her ilk taking center stage, Us is all over it like ... Us on the original Teen Mom stars. Or The Hills cast prior to that.

The question? Can Leah & Co. captivate the masses like Amber Portwood, Farrah Abraham, Maci Bookout and the O.G. momz? Only time will tell ...

TEEN MOMS TAKE TWO: Abusive exes! Families torn apart! Drama!

Without question, the reality show struck a chord with viewers and celebrity gossip readers alike. Does it glorify teen pregnancy, especially by casting a new group of pregnant youngsters who have presumably seen the first season by now?

Will you watch the new season? Talk to THG!

Just days after reuniting with Leah, her two-year-old girl, Teen Mom's Amber Portwood discovered she's getting her an extra-special gift this Christmas:

A sibling! She's pregnant again, according to Star!

We know, we know. It's Star. Generally nonsense. But the celeb news magazine claims she took a home pregnancy test December 4 ... and it's positive!

TEEN MOM RELOADED? Amber was NOT happy when she found out!

"Amber is scared to death about what's to come," an insider says. "She adores Leah, but she doesn't really want to be tied down with another baby."

The 20-year-old almost saw her cover blown Friday when she had her first bout of morning sickness. Luckily, boyfriend Clinton Yunker didn't catch on.

"He'll freak if she's pregnant," said the source.

Then there's the million-dollar question. In addition to being engaged and breaking up with Gary Shirley constantly, Amber Portwood has also been with Yunker ... and some other dudes. If this pregnancy's real, the dad's ID is anyone's guess!

She's pulling for Gary, though, because they're "meant to be together." Maybe so, but imagine the beating he'll take for not using protection ...

Amber Portwood is back together with Leah, her baby daughter, after a brief period of estrangement courtesy of the State of Indiana. Being reunited feels so good ... for them. Teen Mom fans and Gary Shirley are probably very worried.

They look happy here, at least ...

POOR LEAH: Not only is her mom crazy, but leopard print? Really?!

In October, Child Protective Services decided Leah should live temporarily with dad Gary Shirley, Amber Portwood's ex-fiance and frequent beating victim.

Gary's new girlfriend better watch her back too. Just saying. Careful.

But Amber Portwood is now in therapy and. despite facing felony battery charges for attacking Gary in an episode that aired on MTV, deemed fit for Leah.

She's also got a brand-new three-bedroom home in Anderson, and "is so excited to have Leah back," a source tells Us. "She has a bedroom all set up."

The county jail has a cell set up for her too, we heard. Just in case.

We can debate all day whether or not MTV glorifies teen pregnancy, but one of its more infamous reality stars certainly doesn't make her life look appealing.

Teen Mom star Amber Portwood is once again in the spotlight, and it's not because her baby daughter's so darn cute. It's because of - you guessed it - RAGE.

We reported recently about Amber's ex, Gary Shirley, creepin' on random girls. Turns out he's started dating one of them, and the situation came to a head.

Amber Portwood, Gary Shirley and Leah in less turbulent times.

"Gary and his new girl were hanging out on Friday night and Amber was late night texting him like she always does," a source close to the situation said.

"His date thought it was inappropriate, the things Amber said, so she called and told her to quit trying to get him to hang out because he's moved on."

Portwood has also moved on with Clinton Yunker, but friends close to the reality TV star say she still holds out hope of getting back with Gary Shirley.

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Welcome to THG's new feature, in which two of our celebrity gossip experts debate topical issues in the entertainment world and you decide who wrote the winning argument!

Today, THG Asks: Does Teen Mom glorify teen pregnancy?

YES by Free Britney

Consequences? What consequences?

By paying the Teen Mom cast more than most of us make in a year, MTV effectively rewards irresponsible behavior.

Look no further than the fact that Amber Portwood is a tabloid mainstay. So nice to see MTV supports her underage alcoholism and violent tendencies.

Yes, the show realistically depicts the personal problems teen moms can experience, but it fosters the notion that you can be a star through pregnancy.

MTV will put ANYthing on the air for ratings. It will also recruit a new cast of pregnant teen moms who saw season one and see their ticket to fame.

NO by Hilton Hater

Does tabloid coverage of Teen Mom glorify teen pregnancy? Absolutely. It makes girls into celebrities for no reason other than getting knocked up at a young age.

But the show itself simply chronicles the daily struggles of teens such as Farrah, whose boyfriend died in a car accident prior to the birth of their daughter; and Maci, who tries to juggle school and a custody battle with raising little Bentley.

Indeed, while Bristol Palin simply talks about abstinence - while acting as if the only real consequence of pregnancy is an increased bank account and a spot on TV's highest rated show - these teen mothers prove the old saying to be true:

Actions speak louder than words. And I challenge anyone to watch Amber Portwood in action and not rush out to purchase a lifetime supply of condoms.

THG Asks you ... does Teen Mom glorify teen pregnancy? Who won this debate?

Teen Mom has turned a bunch of ordinary knocked up girls into quasi-stars, but how much do Farrah Abraham and her ilk make to air their troubles on TV?

According to reports, the Teen Moms bring in $60,000-65,000 per season. Not even close to the amount Snooki and The Situation command, but not bad.

As for whether the babies themselves are covered, that's trickier.

Farrah's salary is a nice boost to her modeling income.

There's a chance that the parents have opened trust accounts for the kiddos, but not necessarily. That would entail them being intelligent, not required to by law.

The Coogan Law, named for former child star Jackie Coogan, protects child actors in several states, requiring employers to set aside 15 percent in a trust.

But laws covering actors aren't generally seen as covering reality stars' offspring. So Amber Portwood is free to use her checks on legal fees or trashy tattoos.

Amber Portwood and her baby Leah have reunited.

The two-year-old was under Indiana's control (as in the State of Indiana) after a very turbulent period, but officials returned her to the Teen Mom star Monday.

"Leah is moving into Amber's new home, where Amber had her daughter’s bedroom all set up," a source says. "Amber is so excited to have Leah back!"

LEAH'S HOME: Mother and daughter are together once again.

Just last week, we learned that Leah became a ward of the state, meaning decisions over where she lives falls to a judge and a government agency.

Portwood and ex-fiance Gary Shirley had earlier agreed that Leah was better off living with him for the time being. Child Protective Services agreed.

"It was safer for her to stay at Gary's because of all the photographers outside my house," Amber Portwood, who lives in Anderson, Ind., explained.

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