When 16 and Pregnant debuted on MTV back in 2009, no one could’ve imagined it would launch one of the most successful realty franchises in recent history and make stars of its most memorable expectant moms.
We probably don’t need to tell you that the years haven’t always been kind to the ladies who chose to share their pregnancy and young motherhood experiences with television audiences.
You know that the paths taken by Jenelle Evans, Amber Portwood, Farrah Abraham and Leah Messer have been rocky in different ways, but what about the girls who never made it from the bush leagues of 16 and Pregnant to the majors of Teen Mom?
The Ashley’s Reality Roundup offered an insightful statistical breakdown of the lives of all the girls who were scouted by the show’s producers during its 5-season rundown, and the numbers offer a startling look not only at the show itself, but at the nature of teen pregnancy in America today:
59 Girls Have Appeared on the Show
Reportedly inspired by the hit comedy Juno, 16 and Pregnant ran for 5 seasons and fetured just under 60 girls.
95% (56 Girls) Chose to Raise Their Children
The vast majority of the girls kept their babies, despite the obvious risks and sacrifices of raising a child at such a young age.
5% (3 Girls) Chose Adoption
A small percentage of the girls chose to put their children up for adoption, including Catelynn Lowell (pictured). Catelynn later had a second child with husband Tyler Baltierra, and the couple mainatins a relationship with their firstborn.
25% (15 Girls) Have Married Their Baby’s Father
Lowell and Baltierra aren’t the only ones who eventually got hitched. A full 25% of the girls eventually married their baby’s fathers.
10 of Those Marriages Ended in Divorce or Separation
It didn’t always last. Leah Messer (pictured) has now been divorced.
75% Chose Not to Marry the Father
The vast majority of the girls opted to stay single. We assume Farrah Abraham has been a chaste virgin ever since she got knocked up. (Ed note: LOLOLOLOLOL)
83% (49 Girls) Are No Longer With Their Baby’s Fathers
With the dad is someone like Adam Lind, this is a good thing.
29% (17 Girls) Have Married or Gotten Engaged to Someone Else
One of those girls is Chelsea Houska. Again, she escaped Adam Lind, which is a very good thing.
2 Girls Had Their Baby’s Fathers Die
We kid Farrah, but she is one of the two girls whose baby’s fathers are no longer with us. Unbelievably tragic.
The Moms Have Given Birth to a Total of 62 Babies
Remarkably, they group is split perfectly down the middle, with 21 boys and 31 girls.
Ayden and Aubrey Are the Most Popular Names
Three girls each have chosen those names for their kids (though they also chose different spellings).
53% (31 Girls) Have Had or Are Currently Expecting a Second Child
Of those, 18 had their second kid by a different guy.
47% (28 Girls) Have Only Had One Child
Any single parent can tell you – one is sometimes all the kid you need!
10% (6 Girls) Have Had or Are Expecting a Third Child
And sometimes the family just keeps growing – whether you planned it or not!