The ‘Juno’ Effect - Teen Pregnancies Glamorized?
First we had Jamie Lynn Spears - then Ashlee Simpson and now Bristol Palin - teenage pregnancies seem to be more glamorized than discouraged. Don’t you think?
It wasn’t two weeks ago that my kids came home from school telling of a friend of theirs who thought she might be pregnant. The girl is THIRTEEN! From what I understand, the mother of the girl pointed out that she got pregnant as a teen and was supportive of her daughter either way. I guess it’s good the mother was supportive, but what I want to know is where was this mother of a 13-year-old when she was out getting pregnant?
Call me a prude if you will, but at thirteen, I don’t think kids should be dating, much less placed in situations where they might end up having sex.
Do you think the media and our society are glamorizing teen pregnancies?
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10 opinions for The ‘Juno’ Effect - Teen Pregnancies Glamorized?
RoxyRose
Jan 2, 2002 at 8:05 pm
Gayla, you said >>Again, another reason I teach my boys to NEVER trust a girl who says she’s on the pill - to only trust the shot IF they see the needle go into the arm. Otherwise protection and prevention is their responsibility.<<
Bristol Palin’s mother believes in abstinence only education, so I doubt if she taught her daughter about protection and prevention. Teenagers in a relationship for several years often cross the line no matter what their parents views, teaching protection might have kept this young woman from being a teenage mother in a teenage marriage to a teenage father.
That said, her situation shouldn’t be getting as much publicity as it is, but unfortunately when someone steps into the public arena, that person and his or her family has opened their lives to discussion.
marye
Sep 2, 2008 at 6:37 pm
I think in Palin’s case the media is being crappy and making a big deal out of an issue that should be private just because it is an election year.
Teen pregnancy happens. I have not read anything in palin’s case that suggests that it is a good thing, or glamorous. For those of us who do not believe in abortion the family seems to be be handling it well.
Why is it that clinton could have his penis stuffed int he mouth of half of the interns in the white house and it was none of our business but suddenly a 17 year old girl that has gotten pregnant (as if she is the only one) is an important fact in this election.
It pisses me off and that is a hard thing to do.
Tracee Sioux
Sep 2, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Well, most teen pregnancies occur between the hours of 3-6 so to answer your question - where was her mother? At work. This is my argument for flexible work schedules.
I never quite understand the “glamorized” teen pregnancies on TV argument.
Don’t you have relatives who make bad choices?
Unmarried pregnancy comes up in my house because my cousin evidently doesn’t understand how a condom works. Twice I’ve had to explain how his children are still our cousins, but his girlfriend and ex-girlfriend are not his wives. If he were a teenager I think I’d feel better about his blatant stupidity. At least there would be an excuse.
I’ve also had to explain how our family friends have chosen to have a family without marriage. It’s not my call and I don’t choose to judge it as wrong or evil.
We don’t live with perfect people in our neighborhoods and families why would we expect something different from TV people?
Frugal Babe
Sep 2, 2008 at 6:46 pm
I agree that 13 year olds should not be dating.
Gayla McCord
Sep 2, 2008 at 6:54 pm
@ Marye - I personally think it is a private matter for the family. I am sick at how the media is trying to drag this out. I think cases like Juno, Jamie Lynn and Ashlee Simpson make teen pregnancy seem more glamorous to teens thereby encouraging the risk itself.
Again, another reason I teach my boys to NEVER trust a girl who says she’s on the pill - to only trust the shot IF they see the needle go into the arm. Otherwise protection and prevention is their responsibility.
@ Tracee - this particular mother does not work. In fact, another person had custody of her daughter for a period of time and passed her back to her mom because the girl was sneaking out and far too ‘knowledgeable’ on the topic of sex for a then, 12-year-old.
Gayla McCord
Sep 2, 2008 at 7:18 pm
@ Roxy - Hopefully the number of teens that are taught abstinence only will be balanced by teens like mine who are taught protection and prevention are their own responsibility - period!
I’ve also told my boys that IF they ever do get a girl knocked up and the girl keeps the baby, they WILL give up every single weekend to care for the kid. If she gives up her weeks to care for the baby, it’s only fair. AND IF they develop some delusional dream of living together in my house - for the record my answer will be “not just no but HELL no” and they should look at living with HER family.
I am a royal bitch when it comes to the thought of my boys getting a girl pregnant or getting trapped by some girl - so hopefully my being a bitch will be prevention enough.
I’m constantly reiterating to them that I am totally pro choice and I choose to kick their asses out if they don’t abide by my rules. :)
Young Mommy
Sep 3, 2008 at 12:20 am
First I just want to say that Ashlee Simpson isn’t a teenage mother. She is an adult. A 23 year old adult who is fully responsible for all of her own decisions. Poor example. Second I don’t think the pregnancies have been glamorized. Have you seen Juno? It wasn’t glamorized. It showed kids how hard it can be. And with Jamie Lynn I don’t know too much about that, but that should be a different case, because while she’s young she has lots of money. She won’t be in the situation of 99% of all other teenage mothers.
It’s going to happen. The only thing I can say is be glad you have boys and take care of him. Shit happens. People make mistakes. It only takes one time to get pregnant and a parent can’t be there holding a teenagers hand all the time to make sure they don’t get pregnant. The best thing to do to prevent pregnancies is to make sure your children are informed of the consequences and teach them how to be safe.
My mom made sure I knew that if I got pregnant as a teenager it would be my responsibility completely. She also made sure I was on the pill and using protection. And then I didn’t get pregnant until I was in a very stable relationship.
Life isn’t pretty and perfect. Teens get pregnant, people have bastard children. Life goes on.
Paige
Sep 3, 2008 at 11:02 am
I don’t think the media is exalting teenage pregnancy. Unfortunately, when mothers think that the kids are now old enough to take care of themselves, that is exactly the time that the parent needs to be at home!
I was not stupid and unrealistic enough to tell my two daughters to “wait” until they were married to have sex. I taught my two daughters what sex is and why you should or shouldn’t have sex. I taught them about self-esteem, self control, and birth control. I tried to give them a healthy attitude toward sex. I strongly suggested that they not have sex before they really knew themselves… at least not before the age of 18.
I implored them to tell me if they did have or planned to have sex, so that I could help them get birth control.
They are now 29 and 26. The older one is married and has a baby. Neither one had an unplanned pregnancy.
AnonymousTeen
Sep 3, 2008 at 4:13 pm
@Gayla: I applaud the way you’ve taught your sons. In many of these situations, the father isn’t in the picture and/or doesn’t want to take responsibility. Its nice to know that because of you there are two more responsible young men out in the world. ;)
Giovanna Diaries
Sep 4, 2008 at 10:37 am
I don’t think society glamorizes teen pregnancy but definitely the media does.
If you caught a glimpse of US Magazine on line during Jamie Lynns pregnancy….you would have been grossed out!
What kids don’t understand is that it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Especially at that age. Yeah, JL & others might make it seem easy etc…but don’t forget how much time and money they have at their disposal.
You’re not going to have numerous shopping sprees at baby boutiques. Consider yourself lucky if you get a babyshower providing you with the necessaties. Kids & Babies in particular are EXPENSIVE, TIME CONSUMING, and LIFE ALTERING! Yes, is it beautiful and wonderful? Yes, it is. But it’s hard hard work and requires an enormous amount of commitment and maturity to endure all the hard times.
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