Teen Pregnancy, Hollywood Style

I really think parents really need to talk to there children about protection, and about how it would be if they did have a baby at there age. To keep up the communication between the parents and there children to let them know the dangers and the good and bad about having babies but when the time is right when they are reading for taking care of a baby and to have the money and the time to take of a baby too. If your child doesnt want to communicate to you and then just leave notes to your child in different ways that you are there for them and that you want to listen to them give good feedback to them. I feel it is important to wait till you get married I am 37 and I was brought up that way and I was adopted when i was almost 8, and it wasnt easy being in foster homes. But it also make me stronger as a person and for me to also grow up faster too. I think there should also be alot of communication out there also in libraries talks and free classes for teens also.
Maryann, Florence, Kentucky

Hollywood definitely glamorizes preganancy in general. If anything, the message that was sent by including Jaime Lynn in a group of adult stars' "baby bump" watches was acceptance and tolerance. This is not the message that should be sent to very young girls who are likely fans of JLS. The media should have either taken a more realistic stance to a teen moms future or have provided no coverage at all.
Also, for those who believe that Ms. Spears' resources will automatically make her parent of the year, take a good look at her sis. She was an adult, who was married and had unlimited resources. Enough said.
There are teens that make this mistake and do wonderfully with tons of support. Being a mom is not easy no matter how you start, but to start at such a disadvantage makes it that much harder.
I do however give Jaime Lynn kuddos for keeping her baby. Maybe the reason we don't see more teen stars as parents is that their pregancies are terminated?

Regardless of your moral views on pre-marital sex and whether or not you've educated your daughter, AND/OR sons on this issue, it all boils down to the teenager taking responsiblity for their actions. Too many teens feel adult enough to engage in sex, yet are not adult enough to take control over their own body. It's a huge problem. I want my son and daughter to know that I do not approve of premarital sex, but that if THEY choose to engage in such acts, be as smart and educated about it as they can. Protect themselves and their partner from an unwanted pregnancy or STD, or something far worse like HIV.

next thing you know you see director/actor relationships

Hollywood is definitely glamorizing pregnancy in general. I don't see the entertainment community "glamorizing" teen pregnancy, however, it definitely tolerates it.
The problem with the Jaime Lynn Spears pregnancy in relation to the media coverage is that they included her news in "baby bump" watches that featured adult stars. I do think that it sent the wrong message to very young girls. It would have been better to have no coverage to her situation.
I also disagree with those who feel that since Ms. Spears is wealthy, that she is in any way prepared to be a parent. Look at her sister. She is an adult who was married with unlimited resources. Money does NOT equal good parenting no matter what.

Maybe because Hollywood is filled with garbage and scumbags. If that town went under because of a earthquake, i don't think anyone would really care! I would cheer!

Having raised a teenager today and having been a teenager too many years ago, the pressure on teens as well as parent really has not changed much. I was that teen who did get pregnant young, the only thing my parents ever told me about sex was wait till your married. Abortion was an option but not the option I chose at that time. I chose adoption instead I was young, my mother was physically handicapped and could not have helped me at the time. The trauma of having that baby removed from my arms is one I will never forget. Later after being married and having a child, he was brought up that sex was not taboo and taught in an age appropriate manner. That there are responsibilities that you have to take as far as respect for yourself and the other person. That birth control was available and the word condom was common enough so there was no embarressment about it. That contraception should be used. My child was also educated in a public school where the principal had full blown AIDS and died from his disease 3 years after he started kindergarten. From elementary school on STIs, HIV and AIDS education was common teaching. For my folks it was a shock when I came home pregnant. For my child understanding and openess has helped in the choices that he has made. I am pro-choice, but I think that if we could all be open about contraceptives and condoms, and the human reality that sometimes we will not be restrained in our passions. There would be less abortions in this world and far fewer teen parents. Do not denegrade the teenager, but do not glorify the pregnancy either. It is not easy on the teenager, the parents of the teenager, or the child that is yet to be born. Our culture, in trying to show the consequence sadly has been glorifing them or glossing over the real world. That is what is left for us parents to do, bust that bubble to the reality as it has always been.

I am a mother that has a fourteen year old daughter and we have already had several talks about sex and the consequences of it. We have also talked about our christian family values (yes we believe and for the smart jerks out there that have something to say about it...its not your life its ours), we have talked about the one true way to not end up pregnant or get an STD, abstinence...more shows and movies need to touch on this, but since the media is so afraid of someone getting upset we don't. What about the ones who get offended by them showing it as it is okay. We have a big problem and no one wants to address it. At least those that could do alot with it. And the smart comments made by some of those who wrote in you need to think about what you said, like the one who said if a teenage girl gets pregnant she deserves what ever pains she has to go through, comments like that do not help the situation. We need to care enought to try to get these girls to care enough to not get in that position. We also need to help those who don't have anyone to talk to about it or to learn from.

see, i dont think that things like "Juno" or "The Secret Life..." glamorizes teen pregnancy. I think that, since it has become a larger issue as of late, movies like that are addressing it and discussing the trials and tribulations involved in becoming a mother at such a young age. "Juno" didnt even keep her baby in the end, so why it keeps appearing in articles discussing "Hollywood promoting teenage pregnancy and motherhood" because by no means does it promote it. It shows her disconnection with the child she is carrying and she ends up with the father in the end. If you consider how common teenage pregnancy is amongst "everyday" teens, then ONE teenage actress becoming pregnant is quite suprising (at how there has only been one thus far). You'd think that there would have been more by now. Since there hasnt, her being withchild was a bit of a big deal in hollywood. It almost brings the human side out of Hollywood. The thing is, teens have to realize that its not a big deal FOR HER to do it. She has money to take care of her child, lots of it. Her child wont go without because she didnt finish highschool. And people in her line of work all hire nannies to take care of their children anyway, so its not like she's in this on her own. We as the average teenager don't have that luxury.
In conclusion, movies like "Juno" and "The Secret Life..." take the glamour out of stories like the Jamie Lynn Spears pregnancy. It shows that while she is happy, this is what would happen for you as an average teenager. Some people like the 17 girls at that school, are obviously no mature enough to understand the concept behind these films. That's where parents come in, to address it and put it into context. America's teens believe they are maturing much faster than they truly are. Ellen Page (Juno) said in her film "Hard Candy": "Just because a girl can immitate a woman, does not mean she's ready to do what a woman does."
Oh so true.
Blessings,
Cass

Well, I would be finished after this... I am sorry for saying someone should punch ditto whatever the # after it was.... I shouldn't have said that. It just makes me mad that you can call someone a whore because they chose to keep their baby. What a mean thing to say. Although I frown upon teen pregnancy and motherhood, there are those who have done it and done it well that for real, you can do nothing but praise the fact that they have. I applaud the ones taking care of their responsibilities, but for those who take advantage of their parents, who get abortions...... OUCH!!!! I know you will have some things to deal with later on in life. I pray that you who do have abortions can forgive yourselves. I was in the military and couldn't think of if I had to take someones life how that would make me feel, much less someone who is innocent.... I wish we could get rid of that awful procedure, really, it only brings moe problems than it does solutions.

Honestly, do most of you actually read the articles you post on? I know I'll get blasted for this but the article doesn't condemn teen mothers but rather discusses the media's role in ignoring certain aspects of the spectrum of issues that constitute teen pregnancy. An example, afore mentioned by the article, is the act of unprotected sex to begin with. Once again most of us seem to be missing the point. This is more than a moral debate. And for what it is worth I am glad the stigma concerning teen pregnancy has been lifted. Of course non one will even get to this point in my response. Most of you will simply read the first few lines and then rail. And as a side topic is anyone else having problems with the display screen for these comments? It isn't allowing me to see what I'm acctually typing. Please excuse the grammer errors!!!

It's really intresting to see how conservative our society is. The sexual revoultion did little to change our minds about sex and its attitudes about it. Its really sad that people still sex as a "dirty little secret". I say this because if we where more open about our sexuality these topics wouldn't be taboo to discuss. Sex is a natural part of life, some see it as an expression of love between two people, some see it as pleasure, some see it as only for pro-creation and still some people see it as something dirty. The sad reality is adults have issues discussing sexually transmitted diseases or even gential herpes. Children, that's what teenagers are, see these kind of behaviors and repulcate them, unknowningly. I remember when my family found out I was having sex. They took me to the doctor and gave my birth control pills. None of the other issues where addressed, not even my emotional state. Adults forget that sometimes all children want is to be loved and if they aren't getting what they need to feel that, they will find else where. It is every adults' responsiblity to make sure we keep our next generation safe. Its not just parents or grandparents but brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. There is always someone looking up at you. At least address the issue from a health presective rather then a moral one. It'll change the attitude about sex in this country.

Unfortunately even the article challenging the contemporary mentality of "Teen pregnancy, what's the big deal" has glossed over the one thing that works every time it's tried, abstinence. If the schools want to get into the parenting business and tell my 9-year-old daughter what goes where, and why, why can't they tell her why it shouldn't go there until she is married?

I believe the thing that has been missed and will continue to be missed is the fact that children ( teen girls) are looking for a place in this world to belong. They want to be someone and not be taken for granted. Yes, they have great parents who will love them no matter what and give them anything they need but they don't actually feel the love. They are searching for a deeper love; one that won't walk away or judge them. I was one of those teen moms. I am now 33 and have an almost 17 year old daughter. I planned this pregnancy because i wanted / needed someone to love and have love in return. It is correct to say that the media does not show all the details associated with being a teen mom. They don't show the mom who had to work a 16 hour shift and has no time to see their baby. The teen mom who is sleep deprived and doesn't have anyone to turn to for a moment of rest. They don't show the REASONS that teens are seeking out relationships that they are most times too immature to handle.
I have been incredibly blessed to have married, albeit 5 years later, the father of my daughter and have had an incredible marriage, but it is not that way for all. It takes alot to simply be a mom; add being a teen to the mix and you are in another ball game.
I believe if the deeper issues of our society were addressed we would see a decline in a majority of teen pregnancy's. But until that happens we as adults must take a stand to show young women how awesome and valuable they are and that they can be loved and accepted and have the ability to give of themselves to other human being without having to give of themselves sexually and have children they may or may not be able to care for; NOT JUST TELL THEM YOU LOVE THEM; SHOW THEM. Talk with them; walk with them; dont' be afraid to be their confidant and their authority. They may still make mistakes but you will be the first one they talk to about their relationships and feelings. It is easier said than done but if we never try we will never know the impact we have as parents.

glamourizing teen pregnancy isn't going to make the problem go away, and if you parents don't talk to your kids, if you don't offer alternatives to having sex, you will continue to have teenagers having babies, getting std's, having abortions, killing their bodies. Sex out of wedlock brings much more than babies or std's, people kill themselves because of depression of having to deal with something they weren't prepared to deal with. No one talks about that consequence coz they would rather glamorize sex. Sex is good and a whole lotta fun, but I would rather be where I am now, with my husband having a blast and being safe--- do you hear me SAFE--- that is the only safe sex 2 monogomous people in 1 relationship having sex with eachother, married, so if they have kids, guess what, they're taking care of them. Like I said, I rather be here than in the state I was in before I was married, wondering if Josh would really marry me and take care of me or if he would leave me, wondering if Miguel was having sex with only me, finding out he wasn't! That junk can lead to so many things.. it isn't safe and for us to say that it is okay for a teenager to have that freedom to choose is like putting a loaded gun in their laps. I would like to see how and if we could reverse the curse we have put in this society. AND WITH THIS I AM FINISHED!

Well you know, once u are pregnant, its up to you weither u decide to keep the baby or not. If a girl decides to give him/her up, its probably the hardest she ll ever have to do, but if tht wht she thinks is best for her child than she would do ti. Ur judging these girls the same way others judge you. But the problem is getting pregnant to begiin with, more than wht happens after.