Over the years, we have heard many conversations about what Teenage Mother exploitation of children.
It’s not surprising. Exploitation of the real drama and suffering of children – especially, pregnant teenagers and then teenage parents – is the whole premise of the franchise.
Is that exploitation passed on to their children? Well, in some cases, confident. But some cases are better than others.
Life coach Dr. Cheyenne Bryant (you know, Coach B) immediately addressed the fans’ concerns.
The title of this franchise is completely wrong. His parents were no longer teenagers. And shows also spend time on it Teenage Mother cast partners and parents and exes. abide a lot talking about children.
Sometimes we see Leah Shirley, the daughter of Amber Portwood.
Often, we see Maci Bookout’s son, Bentley. This isn’t a little boy anymore. He’s old enough for real discussions, and even on-screen therapy sessions, about his life and family.
Fans have worried for years that this on-screen moment is exploiting the children of actors for TV ratings.
And, in particular, many fel are straight-up suitable for even touch child therapy sessions.
The therapy session was natural. Children therapy sessions even more.
With his heart, good people pass on In Ashley spoke with Dr. Cheyenne “Coach B” Bryant about on-screen therapy and more.
“I think if it’s not done in a protective and safe way, it can be [be exploitive] to film on camera,” Dr. Bryant admitted.
However, he added: “As long as the environment is safe… If not, there may be something that can cause damage.”
Dr. Bryant then emphasized: “It has to be done right and done carefully.”
Part of doing it right, he said, includes taking many steps on camera to protect children.
“I made Bentley always have a safe place,” Dr. Bryant shared.
“Bentley and I always pre-brief before we shoot, and we de-brief after,” he detailed.
“We had a full session on what filming was like,” said Dr. Bryant.
“What he’s comfortable talking about,” he detailed. “What he said was uncomfortable.”
“We also have non-verbal cues that he is allowed to give me when he is in a place where he feels unsafe or uncomfortable,” said Dr. Bryant.
“Or,” he continued, “they didn’t want to go down that route while we were filming.”
Coach B added: “So I’ve been up behind to make sure Bentley – and whoever I’m filming with the little one … is very protected.”
“And,” said Dr. Bryant, “if he believes in me and I support him and show him in his comfort zone.”
He also explained why Bentley was willing to appear on camera to discuss the issue.
“Bentley is a young man with a big heart, so he usually says yes [to filming]”Dr. Bryant explained.
“… But he’s also mature enough to know where he needs to be protected,” he said.
“And,” added Dr. Bryant, “what they don’t want to say or what the audience doesn’t understand.”
“Maci and I made sure we had a conversation with Bentley,” he noted.
“And,” Dr. Bryant then announced, “we leave it up to Bentley if he wants to make the movie or not.”
“Maci checked with me before the Bentley movie ever, and Maci and I had a full session just discussing what it looks like,” he dished.
“Both of us – she was the first one as the mother – asked Bentley if he was okay with the filming and was comfortable with the filming?” Dr. Bryant added. “And if he does, we’ll do it. If he doesn’t, we don’t. There were times when Bentley didn’t say it and we didn’t film it.”
He added that this also applies to other children. Besides, he always made sure that things were not going well.
“I have to make sure I’m very aware of non-verbal cues. I check a lot, [asking them], ‘Are you okay? Is this okay with you? Are you happy to talk about it? If not, I’ve got your back. We can stop,'” Dr. Bryant explained.
“It wasn’t for the cameras and that’s why they didn’t show that part on the show,” he said. “It’s for Bentley or whatever they’re filming on camera.”