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Back in 2010, "16 and Pregnant" viewers took a special interest in one expecting teen named Ashley Salazar, who was overcome with uncertainty regarding whether or not she wanted to parent or form an adoption plan for her daughter, Callie. During her episode, the new mom signed adoption papers, but shortly after changed her mind and reclaimed Callie from her aunt and uncle, who were also the adoptive parents. Ultimately she decided not to parent, allowing her aunt and uncle to raise the child instead.

Ashley's difficult choice--and the aftermath of that choice--is what sparked her interest in documenting the journey on paper. In her just-released book, "Bittersweet Blessing," the young writer takes us through her ups and downs and offers up firsthand insight on her decision-making process. "I want Callie to have some documentation when she's older, and also, I want her to know why I did what I did," Salazar explained to Remote Control of her inspiration. "When I write I can sort all of my thoughts out and see it all in front of me."

Salazar started penning her book in the fall of 2010, as it really helped her get some perspective on choosing adoption for her daughter. "Once the book was done, I realized that Callie has a lot of opportunity right now and that she's taken care of."

Currently a journalism student at University of North Texas, Salazar is very proud of her accomplishment and believes it can guide others who are battling similar uncertainty. "I hope I can inspire and help people learn more about getting pregnant at a young age," she says. "I want to reach a lot of people that don't have the opportunity to speak out."

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Related Content 16 and Pregnant, Teen Mom, Teen Mom 2, Did Ashley Make The Right Decision?

Tags 16 and Pregnant's Ashley, Interview

No loyal viewer of "Teen Mom" or "Teen Mom 2" has escaped at least one of their hour-long episodes without reaching for a box of Kleenex and sobbing like a fool. Both series' evoke so many different emotions--whether it's sadness from witnessing a young mother's confusion over her baby's undiagnosed health issues, happiness due to seeing a cast member experience a moment of empowerment, or flat out frustration from watching more than one of them repeat the same self-destructive mistakes, it's almost impossible not to become personally invested in each of the girls' stories. Through it all, carefully selected songs playing in the background heighten our mixed feelings yet comfort us all the same.

Read more...

Related Content Teen Mom, Teen Mom 2

Tags Soundtrack Spotlight

Doth our eyes deceive us? We could have sworn only moments ago, Catelynn of "Teen Mom" tweeted that she and longtime boyfriend Tyler had finally set a date to get married, but our ability to effectively snap screenshots is piss poor, and we weren't able to get any proof before the declaration suddenly disappeared. Technological strife!

If you'll recall, the couple exchanged a promise awhile back, but decided to focus on cementing themselves as a couple in their own place and hammering down a solid plan for school and work before taking the big, scary step into state-endorsed matrimony. C&T have been together for years now, and we were thrilled to hear they might have been ready to be a Mr. and Mrs., but now we're not sure.

+ What do you think about the possibility of Cate and Ty getting hitched--is it for real, and would you want it to be? Maybe we'll find out next year when "Teen Mom" returns to MTV, but until then, guess we'll just have to wait. Stupid internet.

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Related Content Teen Mom, Teen Mom 2, Catelynn And Tyler Discuss Parenting Their Own Parents [Video], The Most Heartwarming Moments From 'Teen Mom', Check Out 'Teen Mom' On Facebook

Tags Teen Mom's Catelynn, Teen Mom's Tyler

For all the pot-stirring MTV talent does, every tear, scuffle and f-bomb broadcast over its airwaves would be in vain if people weren't watching, reacting and gossiping about it the next morning. Similarly, Remote Control is aimless without reader feedback; input from fans of our network's shows is crucial in determining what you guys really want from us (besides the obvious, wink wink).

In 2011, RC readers weren't shy about where they stood on a number of issues, and the polarity kept things interesting. Here are some of the most hotly debated posts from the year:

Post: Ronnie Says He Doesn't Regret Destroying Sammi's Stuff
Show: "Jersey Shore"
The Situation: After Ronnie and Sammi decided to call it quits (again) during the group's return to Seaside Heights, things got pretty heated, especially when Sam asked her former boyfriend if he had any plans to see other girls. Ron didn't love the question, and the couple's biggest blowout yet divided viewers. Some thought Sammi was being overbearing ("Sammi should've been more willing to forgive and trust Ron if she was planning on staying with him after Miami since he didn't do anything wrong after," wrote Kid_Kryptonite) while others noted that Ron's actions were simply inexcusable ("Ronnie's a moron, a pig and a hypocrite! He can do what he wants and treat her like crap! But as soon as she stands up for herself, it's 'Poor Ronnie.' Grow up!" said Angela).

Post: "Teen Mom 2" Poll: Was Jenelle's Mom Too Hard On Her?
Show: "Teen Mom 2"
The Situation: Jenelle spent the better part of "Teen Mom 2" fighting for custody of her son, Jace, with her mother, Barbara. The young mother believed she had every right to go out as a teenager, while Barbara maintained that her daughter's partying was irresponsible and her negligence was dangerous to Jace. The argument was compounded by a fight during the reunion special in which the mother called her daughter "unlovable," and while some RC readers thought Jenelle wasn't getting a fair shot ("In my opinion Barbara wants to see Jenelle fail, so she sets her up for failure by pushing her away," wrote Robin) many agreed with Barbara that Jenelle's behavior was too erratic ("I think Jenelle has had many chances and every chance she gets, she always disappoints. Barbara is a mom that continues to open the door for her daughter and Jenelle just takes things for granted" said pottergal1822).

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Related Content 16 and Pregnant, Jersey Shore, Real World, Teen Mom, Teen Wolf, MTV's Best Celebrity Cameos Of 2011, MTV's Best Cries Of 2011

Tags 16 and Pregnant's Jennifer, Best Of 2011, Jersey Shore's Ronnie, Jersey Shore's Sammi, Jersey Shore's Snooki, Teen Mom's Farrah, Teen Wolf's Peter Hale

Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Heath Statistics released new data for 2010 that shows a 9 percent decrease in the U.S. teen birthrate, now making it the lowest level ever reported. This is also the biggest one-year drop in teen births documented since 1946. Can we get a "Heygirlhey!" up in here?

We English majors don't get along too well with numbers, but we can say with utmost certainty that 9 percent equals a whole lot of teens that now have a much greater opportunity of graduating from high school, going to college, achieving financial independence, and one day, providing a stable home for a child they are prepared to support in every way.

So is this new figure related in any way to MTV's teen pregnancy programming, which focuses its efforts on showing the harsh truths about unplanned parenthood? Sarah Brown, CEO of The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, thinks it's very possible. Said Brown in a press release, "Teens are being more careful for a number of reasons, including the recession, more media attention to this issue-- including the "'16 and Pregnant'/'Teen Mom' effect‟--and more attention to and investment in evidence-based programs. But at the end of the day, the thanks and admiration go to teens themselves."

You should be proud of yourselves, ladies and gents, for making smarter decisions about sex. Here's to lowering the numbers with each successive year!

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Related Content 16 and Pregnant, Teen Mom, Teen Mom 2, 'Teen Mom 2' Season 2 Trailer: Prepare For Explosive Drama [Video], Get A Quick Refresher On 'Teen Mom 2' Before The Season Premiere

When last we left the cast of "Teen Mom 2," there were a lot of loose ends dangling in the ether. At the series' reunion, we learned that Chelsea was back together with Aubree's father, Adam, but had yet to find comfort or stability in the relationship; Jenelle and her mother, Barbara, were still at each other's throats (if you recall, Barbara called Jenelle "unlovable" on stage, causing a massive argument); Kailyn and Jo were no longer speaking; and while Leah had her happily ever after with Corey, committing till death do they part, their daughter Ali's health issues were looming with no concrete answers in sight.

Season 2 premieres Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 10/9c, and the drama is off the charts right from the start. To her mother's great frustration (and uncontrollable anger), Jenelle continues to date bad boy Kieffer, and the dysfunctional couple's fighting turns physical. As Ali undergoes numerous tests to find out if she's suffering from a brain abnormality, Leah's marriage begins to disintegrate. Kail and Jo are talking again, and possibly even more, and Chelsea just can't seem to let go of Adam, no matter how bad his attitude gets.

It's evident by the trailer below that this will be a tough 12 episodes to watch, but hopefully there's a light at the tunnel for these four young women and their children.

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Related Content Teen Mom, Teen Mom 2, MTV's Teen Moms Bond In New York City [Photos], 'Teen Mom 2' Poll: Whose Story Touched You The Most?, Check Out 'Teen Mom 2' On Facebook

Tags Trailer, Video

Baby Sophia enjoys the touch of a makeup brush while Mom gets her hair curled.

Farrah may have sidelined her budding modeling career to dedicate herself full time to motherhood, but when recently given the opportunity to bridge the two contrasting worlds, the teen mom was all over it!

On Sunday, the Nebraska native and her 2-year-old princess attended--and walked in--a fashion show for "GlamHER" hosted by Mom Advice magazine. The mother-daughter team got their makeup done backstage (Sophia seemed to love being pampered!), then headed out to the catwalk to strut their stuff for fans (well, Farrah strutted, Soph basically just went along for the ride).

Farrah may have postponed her dream of being a runway queen, but she sure looks like she's having a blast.

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Photos: Splash News

Related Content Teen Mom, Farrah Explains Why She Put Her Modeling Career On Hold, Check Out 'Teen Mom' On Facebook

Tags Photo, Teen Mom's Sophia, Teen Mom’s Farrah

Farrah and Sophia prep for a Halloween party with their pooch.

Farrah of "Teen Mom" once dreamed about the day when she could sit around and do nothing, but then her dog got invited to a costume party (no joke). As if you wouldn't jump on the opportunity...

The recent Florida transplant and her daughter Sophia soaked up the waning days of non-Daylight Savings Time this weekend by playing dress-up with their pooch (what they're all dressed up as, we can't say for sure) before visiting a nearby petting zoo at a pumpkin patch. And to solidify their standing as Sunshine Staters, the pair then made their way onto the field at Sunday's Miami Dolphins game to the ire of every lifelong fan who's never gotten any closer than the nosebleeds.

+ Check out the photos to see what the Abrahams have been up to since their summer fun at the beach, and give us your best guess as to what those costumes are.

Farrah guides Sophia through basic ranch hand protocol.

Hey! Fins where we can see 'em, buddy.

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Photos: Chris Bott and Pichichi/Splash News

Related Content Teen Mom, The Most Heartwarming Moments From 'Teen Mom', Farrah And Sophia Have Fun In The Florida Sun [Photos]

Tags Photo, Teen Mom's Farrah, Teen Mom's Sophia

Every Friday we thumb through your comments from the most-talked-about post of the week and highlight each side of the argument. Check out the latest That's What You Said below and make sure to share your own opinion!

This week, one of the more comment-provoking stories on Remote Control focused on Maci's backstage interview at the "Teen Mom Finale Special." The young mother and her baby's father, Ryan, opened up about what failed in their relationship but led us to believe there might still be a future for them. A lot of you felt strongly after seeing their obvious chemistry--here's a sprinkling of what was posted on Twitter and Facebook:

Twitter
"@mtvshowblog @MaciBookoutMTV Do these comments ever upset Kyle or does he understand where you are coming from? #confused" -- @MediaMindJen

"@MTVShowBlog @macibookoutmtv ...It's so obvious..forget the past..admit your feelings to each other!!" -- @bmwrenn0320

"Finally watched the second half of 'Teen Mom' reunion. Love Kyle, but still think Maci and Ryan should and could work it out." -- @alissawins

Read more...

Related Content Teen Mom, Ryan And Maci Haven't Ruled Out A Future Together, 'Teen Mom' Update: Maci And Ryan Have Remained Civil

Tags Teen Mom's Maci, Teen Mom's Ryan, That's What You Said

Over the course of the "Teen Mom" season, Maci's boyfriend Kyle had an increasingly positive effect on her life. Not only did he provide her with comfort, safety and some much-needed laughter, he played a huge role in helping to care for her child. Kyle's a solid guy, and it doesn't look like he's going anywhere soon, but when we sat down with Maci backstage at the "Teen Mom Finale Special," her connection with Bentley's father Ryan was undeniable. Dare we say it--the love is still there.

As we asked them personal questions about the mistakes they've made in the past and their hopes for moving forward peacefully, the former couple inched closer and closer together on the couch, offering a glimpse of what their relationship was like before the stress of parenthood set in. It was a rare moment, witnessing the two not just getting along, but speaking honestly to each other about their regrets, smiling sweetly at each other all the while. The two even admitted that it was the most honest conversation they'd had in years. Perhaps their most surprising revelation was that they're not ruling out a future reconciliation. Wow, right?

+ Check out these video clips from the interview to hear more of their intimate conversation, then share your reactions in the comments.

Watch our entire exclusive interview with Maci and Ryan.

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Related Content Teen Mom, 'Teen Mom' Update: Maci And Ryan Have Remained Civil, Maci Worries That Ryan's Absence Upsets Bentley [Video]

Tags Interview, Teen Mom's Kyle, Teen Mom's Maci, Teen Mom's Ryan, Video