Examining The Relationship Age Gaps In The 'Teen Mom' Franchise

Teen Mom started as a spin-off series to MTV's successful series about teenage pregnancy, 16 & Pregnant. Both shows focused on teen mothers as they navigated pregnancy, parenting, and managing relationships after welcoming children into the world.

While the intent of both shows was to show teenagers in these situations, there were several instances where the "kids" weren't necessarily kids. While almost every girl featured on Teen Mom and its spin-offs were teenagers... not all of the biological dad's were. Regarding Teen Mom's main cast members, quite a few of the under-18 girls were impregnated by boys who were 20+.

What exactly were the age gaps in the main couples of the Teen Mom franchise? Let's find out.

Ryan Edwards

Age gap: 3 years, 7 months

Ryan appeared on the very first episode of 16 & Pregnant with ex-girlfriend, Maci McKinney (Bookout), and moved on to become regulars on Teen Mom, Teen Mom OG, and Teen Mom: The Next Chapter. The Tennessee-based couple had their son, Bentley, when she was just 17-years old. However, Ryan was just shy of 21-years old and had a full on career. Maci has said that the couple knew of each other in high school and that her classmates had crushes on him.

Gary Shirley

Age gap: 3 years, 5 months

Gary appeared on the first season of 16 & Pregnant with his ex-girlfriend, Amber Portwood, and the couple moved onto become regulars on Teen Mom, Teen Mom OG, and Teen Mom: The Next Chapter. While Amber was 18-years old when their daughter Leah was born, Gary was days away from turning 22-years old. Similar to Ryan, Gary was already working as a CNA. Recently, there has been some accusations about Gary regarding their relationship and her age at the time, but Amber is another one who previously stated that she knew Gary in their Indiana high school. In fact, Gary was a friend of her older brother, Shawn (aka, Bubby).

Tyler Baltierra

Age gap: 2 months

Tyler appeared on the first season of 16 & Pregnant with his now wife, Catelynn Baltierra (Lowell). The Michigan-based couple moved onto become regulars on Teen Mom, Teen Mom OG, and Teen Mom: The Next Chapter, despite choosing adoption for their daughter Carly. In true childhood romance, Catelynn & Tyler met in 7th grade and were both barely 17-years old when Carly was born.

Derek Underwood

Age gap: 1 year

The story of Derek is rather unfortunate as he never officially appeared on 16 & Pregnant or any of the Teen Mom spin-offs. Derek's ex-girlfriend, Farrah Abraham, appeared on the first season of 16 & Pregnant seemingly as a single teen mother. It was assumed by fans that the father of Farrah's daughter, Sophia, was merely absent, but she later revealed on Teen Mom that Derek was killed in a car accident in Iowa just two month before Sophia's birth. At the time of the accident and Sophia's birth, Farrah was 17-years old and Derek was 18-years old.

Adam Lind

Age gap: 7 months

Adam appeared on the second season of 16 & Pregnant with his ex-girlfriend, Chelsea DeBoer (Houska), and the couple moved onto become regulars on Teen Mom 2. The South Dakota-based couple had their daughter, Aubree, when Chelsea was barely 18-years old and Adam was 19-years old. They were the snapshot of what chaotic teenage relationships can be. Adam's struggles with teen parenting were documented until he left the network in 2017, amidst a long list of legal issues.

Jonathan 'Jo' Rivera

Age gap: 4 months

Jo appeared on the second season of 16 & Pregnant with his ex-girlfriend, Kailyn Lowry, and the couple moved onto become regulars on Teen Mom 2. The couple had their son, Isaac, when Kailyn was 17-years old and Jo was 18-years old. Unlike the other teen moms, Kailyn and Jo briefly lived together as teen parents in his Pennsylvania family home.

Corey Simms

Age gap: 1 year, 7 months

Corey appeared on 16 & Pregnant with his ex-wife, Leah Messer, and moved onto become regulars on Teen Mom 2. The West Virginia-based couple welcomed twin daughters, Aleeah and Aliannah, when Leah was 17-years old and Corey was 19-years old. The couples struggles with teen parenting and parenting a child with special needs have touched audiences, and a lot of viewers were heartbroken when they divorced.

Andrew Lewis

Age gap: 5 years, 9 months

Andrew was very briefly seen on both 16 & Pregnant and Teen Mom 2 with his ex-girlfriend, Jenelle Evans. After the couple had their son, Jace, it was revealed that while Jenelle was 17-years old at the time, Andrew was 23-years old. Not only that, but the couple started dating in North Carolina when she was 13 and he was 19.

Andrew remained distant throughout Jace's childhood and would pop up every now and then, but the father-son duo have never had much of a relationship.

Devoin Austin

Age gap: 1 year, 10 months

Devoin appeared on the fourth season of 16 & Pregnant and was featured on the short-lived Teen Mom 3 with his ex-girlfriend, Briana DeJesus. After Briana was brought back for Teen Mom OG, Devoin also returned and became a semi-regular cast member. When the Florida-based couple had their daughter, Nova, Briana was 17-years old and Devoin was 19-years old.

Josh McKee

Age gap: 1 year, 4 months

Josh appeared on the fourth season of 16 & Pregnant with his now ex-wife, Mackenzie Douthit, and also appeared on the short-lived series, Teen Mom 3. When the Oklahoma-based couple had their son, Gannon, Makenzie was 16-years old and Josh was 18-years old. Prior to their split, the couple returned for Teen Mom OG and introduced their two other children, Jaxie and Broncs. Mackenzie went onto become a regular on Teen Mom: The Next Chapter while Josh left the network.

Sean Austin

Age gap: 4 years

One of the newer cast members, Sean appeared on Teen Mom: Young + Pregnant with his now wife, Jade Cline. When the couple welcomed their daughter, Kloie, Jade was 20-years old and Sean was 24-years old. After their initial appearance, the Indiana-based couple went on to become regulars in Teen Mom: The Next Chapter. Their wedding was even documented on the show in 2024.

Bariki 'Bar' Smith

Age gap: 27 days

Another newer cast member, Bar appeared on Teen Mom: Young + Pregnant with his now ex-wife, Ashley Jones. The California-based couple welcomed their daughter, Holly, when they were both 20-years old. Despite Bar's longstanding criminal record, the couple went on to appear on Teen Mom: The Next Chapter and have now divorced.

Bonus Round:

Levi Johnston

Age gap: 6 months

Levi very (very) briefly appeared on Teen Mom OG when his ex-fiancé, Bristol Palin, appeared for just one season in 2017-2018. The Alaska-based couple's relationship was elevated to national fame when Bristol's mother, Sarah Palin, was selected as John McCain's running mate in the 2008 Presidential Election. Her teenage pregnancy with their son, Tripp, was announced at the Republican National Convention when she was 17-years old and Levi was 18-years old.