Teen Parenting.

[Disney.Ears]

So with all the other threads, I thought it was time for a serious topic.

With all the new Teen Parenting/Pregnancy shows such as Baby Borrowers and The Secret Life of the American Teenager, I think that the message of Teen Parenting is really getting out. Baby Borrowers really shows that teens MAY THINK they can handle being parents at a young age but they can't. And I think it shows them and teens all over the country that they should really wait before they considering having children when they're still children themselves. And then Secret Life of the American Teenager shows teens that you can unexpectantly get pregnant and it really changes your life.

I think both of these shows are basically birth control for teens who either want kids or those who have had an unexpectant pregnancy.

Both the shows are taking risks in my opinion with such a ... I wouldn't say it's a touchy subject but they both are truely showing American teens what happens if they want kids at a young age.

What do you think about either the shows, teen parenting, pregnancy, etc. Share your opinions

 

[OneTreeHill]

First off, I love Secret Life of An American Teenager.

Okay, so last year, when I was in 8th grade there was an optional project of taking a baby doll home for the weekend. It cryed, burped, made tons of noise, had to be changed, fed, burped, etc. I woke you up in the middle of the night, and registered back to the teacher how often it cryed, and what I did to make it stop, and whether I was right or not. So, I decided to try it. I brought it home for the weekend. It was soooooo hard. It woke me up every night, and I barely got any sleep. It was terrible. When I brought the baby back, the teacher gave me my printout, of how well I did. I got almost everything right. Except, somehow, I gave it Shaken Baby Syndrome. I'm still not sure how that happened, but obviously, I'm not ready to handle a baby.
I honestly don't think most teens are ready. Alot of teens can barely handle themselves much less a baby. Sure, most teens have a job, but they don't make enough to support a child.

 

[Kairi-Angel]

I read this article in a magazine that suggests that teens get pregnant ON PURPOSE because they think a baby would make their boyfriends stay with them longer, when in truth most of them leave their girlfriends romantically and financially. Also, teens think that a baby may make them seem more glamorous, with all the celebrities getting pregnant young these days. & I have to agree with OneTreeHill, I don't think most teens are ready for babies either.

 

[OneTreeHill]

I read this article in a magazine that suggests that teens get pregnant ON PURPOSE because they think a baby would make their boyfriends stay with them longer, when in truth most of them leave their girlfriends romantically and financially. Also, teens think that a baby may make them seem more glamorous, with all the celebrities getting pregnant young these days.

I read that article too. Was it in cosmogirl?

 

[Kairi-Angel]

I read that article too. Was it in cosmogirl?

Yeah!

 

[OneTreeHill]

Yeah!

That's what I thought.

 

[jbcheerchick93]

i read that one too.

and i dont think that its a good idea but honestly, sometimes accidents happen. my friends and i talk about it a lot, especially my best guy friend, and i dont think that its glamorous or easy.

and i just spent two weeks with my aunt and uncle, they have twin babies that are completge angels and it makes me understand why babies are so easy, but at the same time so hard.

 

[Cinderelli16]

Yeah, no matter if they say they're ready to have a baby or what not, they really aren't, it's alot more work then they actually think. My aunt had my cousin at 16, and she said it was the hardest thing she has ever had to do. And there is definatly nothing glamorous about being pregnant as a teen. I want to be able to live my life as a teenage girl, and not have to worry about raising my own child, when the truth is I'm a child myself. I'm seeing more and more girls in my school pregnant, actually there is about 4 girls to be exact. One girl who just turned 16 is due this month with a boy. But honestly, when your parents say sex can wait, they actually mean it. There are so many consequences of being a young mother, and I want to be married, and have a career started before I have kids. I love kids, but I don't want one of my own right now. That's why I have my cousins, I can see them whenever I want, and I love them all to death.

 

[Babyjustrun]

I've never seen either show. But I did see an episode of Birth Days (it's a show showing the first few weeks after birth, the parents at home) where this girl who'd dropped out of school at like 16, was having a baby at 18 with her boyfriend of one month. It was crazy, one day they were sitting at home playing video games while the baby slept. And the guy was supposed to be getting a job, but he couldn't find anything he liked. They had next to no money and they decided to get tattoo's -.-

Honestly, I'm conflicted with teen pregnancy. It ultimately comes down to whether the person can handle the situation or not. I'm not talking about being ready for a baby, I don't think a person is ever ready for how much time and effort a baby takes (although older mature adults usually are pretty well). It can either go really well, and they have a supportive family, or it can go the complete opposite.

And the people who do it (get pregnant, honestly, if they want to have sex, go ahead. Just take precautions) on purpose at the age of 15... that just dissapoints me. I think some of them just want someone who will love them unconditionally, but they don't really realise that in order to keep the baby, they actually have to take care of it. Teens have to be extra careful when the have kids, one bad move, and they could have social services called on them =(
And for some of them, it's a death wish when it comes to their education. Some people have a support so they can go back to school, and finish high school, some even do college. But others don't, they just drop out (either they don't have the time, or they feel like school was a waste of time anyways because they felt that they weren't smart enough, and being a mother would be better for them) they don't realise, that if the father leaves.... well the income has got to come from someone.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

I watch both shows.

Secret Life of the American Teenager is interesting. It shows different perspectives. You have Adrienne, who wants nothing but Ricky and sex. You have Ben, who's falling madly in love with Amy (who he just met). You have Grace, who's willing to wait with Jack before having sex. And there's Amy, who's pregnant (by Ricky) and is in denial about it.

Baby Borrowers is also very interesting. Last night's episode proved that even though toddlers are cute and cuddly, it's not all fun and games. There's potty training, kids who won't stop crying, you get the deal. Next week's episode with the pre-teens should be interesting.

 

[Ms.Squeakers]

I honestly found it appalling.

First theres Juno, okay i can deal with that it was a cute movie BUT

Even though it makes it look like hell...

Whats up with all of these teenage pregnancy movie/shows lately?

I find it VERY disturbing.

VERY disturbing.
I dont think it makes a difference, but adds ON teenage pregnancies.


It does.
You look at the commercial and its basically saying "but..no matter what your family still loves you"....UHM...HELLO!?

Thats not ALWAYS the case.

From what ive seen, it DOES add glamour to teenage pregnancies.

You may not see it clearly, but it definitely does.

Jamie Lynn Spears? Everything's FINE "aww she has a cute little baby"....uhm...hello!? Am I the only one finding this EXTREMELY disturbing and WRONG?

YES
You can blame it on my age "i don't know enough" but being in a middle school, where I have 3 teenage pregnancies AFTER they saw Juno.

"Well Mouse...its just 3".

3 is a big difference.
HELL!
Even 1 is a big difference.

I think you should wait until youre out of school, and possibly married.


IMHO.

and a VERY strong one at that.

 

[Cinderelli16]

I honestly found it appalling.

First theres Juno, okay i can deal with that it was a cute movie BUT

Even though it makes it look like hell...

Whats up with all of these teenage pregnancy movie/shows lately?

I find it VERY disturbing.

VERY disturbing.
I dont think it makes a difference, but adds ON teenage pregnancies.


It does.
You look at the commercial and its basically saying "but..no matter what your family still loves you"....UHM...HELLO!?

Thats not ALWAYS the case.

From what ive seen, it DOES add glamour to teenage pregnancies.

You may not see it clearly, but it definitely does.

Jamie Lynn Spears? Everything's FINE "aww she has a cute little baby"....uhm...hello!? Am I the only one finding this EXTREMELY disturbing and WRONG?

YES
You can blame it on my age "i don't know enough" but being in a middle school, where I have 3 teenage pregnancies AFTER they saw Juno.

"Well Mouse...its just 3".

3 is a big difference.
HELL!
Even 1 is a big difference.

I think you should wait until youre out of school, and possibly married.


IMHO.

I agree with everthing you just said, this whole teenage pregnancy situation is getting wayyy out of hand.
and a VERY strong one at that.

I agree with everything you just said. This whole teenage pregnancy situation is getting wayyy out of hand.

 

[HSMndLKfan92]

I honestly found it appalling.

First theres Juno, okay i can deal with that it was a cute movie BUT

Even though it makes it look like hell...

Whats up with all of these teenage pregnancy movie/shows lately?

I find it VERY disturbing.

VERY disturbing.
I dont think it makes a difference, but adds ON teenage pregnancies.


It does.
You look at the commercial and its basically saying "but..no matter what your family still loves you"....UHM...HELLO!?

Thats not ALWAYS the case.

From what ive seen, it DOES add glamour to teenage pregnancies.

You may not see it clearly, but it definitely does.

Jamie Lynn Spears? Everything's FINE "aww she has a cute little baby"....uhm...hello!? Am I the only one finding this EXTREMELY disturbing and WRONG?

YES
You can blame it on my age "i don't know enough" but being in a middle school, where I have 3 teenage pregnancies AFTER they saw Juno.

"Well Mouse...its just 3".

3 is a big difference.
HELL!
Even 1 is a big difference.

I think you should wait until youre out of school, and possibly married.


IMHO.

and a VERY strong one at that.

The TV shows aren't advocating pregnancy. In fact, I think they're trying to discourage teenage pregnancy. At least Baby Borrowers is. The Secret Life of the American Teenager puts perspective on how different people feel about sex, and it's not like Amy wanted to get pregnant in the first place.

Jamie Lynn Spears is lucky that her daughter is healthy. Sure, she didn't make the best choices to get pregnant in the first place, but she has the money to raise her daughter. It doesn't justify anything, though. If Jamie Lynn got prengant, why should her name be slandered for it? It's not like she should be the spokesperson against teenage pregnancy.

The spokespeople should be parents.

 

[Natalie_89]

i had my son at 17, and im a single mum its no picnic and money is really tight.its really hard i woodnt change my boy for the world but i wish i was in a better financal sitution. i do the best i can and my boy is never without anythin. i hope people dont think bad of all teen mums ive read so appallin stories bout some teen parents but not all r bad. i prob do alot better then some older parents do. programmes like baby borrowers does show how hard it is and how much strain it puts on couples.thats exactly what happened to me and now me and my boys dad are not together. babies r a big responsabilty and its very hard sometimes.i wood recommend waitin til your older

 

[Princess_Dot]

Hmmm Im not sure the movies are surving their purpose. I know one of my friends, who after seeing Juno, was trying to get pregnant because she thought she could handle it.

Either way teen pregancy is out of control right now. Personally if I had an unplaned pregnancy I believe I could handle it. However, I would never TRY to get pregnant at my age! I hope Secret Life...Teenager discourages teen pregnancy.

As for that show Baby Borowers.....Im sorry those teenagers are SO dislikable I can't even watch it. Some of them are SOOOO stuck up. The show should have chosen a few more level-headed teenagers to see how they could handle a baby.

Did anyone hear about that pact that 12 (or so) teenagers made at a MA highschool? They were trying to get pregnant so they could raise their babies together. One of the girls babie's father is a homeless man. (she just wanted the baby so bad)

 

[Babyjustrun]

As for Jamie-Lynn... I think she'll be fine.
She's lucky that she is a rather grounded person (unlike her sister) who still lives in a small town, and has the support of her mother and her baby's father, and according to her, the people in her town are very supportive as well. I think she'll do fine, her successes have always been rather minimal (kids tv shows) whereas her sister kind of let everything blow out of proportion.

 

[Ms.Squeakers]

I agree with everything you just said. This whole teenage pregnancy situation is getting wayyy out of hand.

Exactly.
Those shows only BRING it to attention.
I didnt even THINK about teenage pregnancy until those shows started coming out.

Most people dont think about it, its pretty normal.
Now the entire world is acting like everyone who is a teenager is having sex and are getting pregnant when in reality those shows are only bringing the subject to attention.


It doesnt help.



AGAIN.
JUST MY OPINION.

 

[MrsSparrow..]

Most people dont think about it, its pretty normal.
Now the entire world is acting like everyone who is a teenager is having sex and are getting pregnant when in reality those shows are only bringing the subject to attention.

I agree.

Teenage pregnancy has always been around, sure maybe not in the big numbers it is now, but history proves that it has. Thanks to better communications and media, stories about this sort of thing get out quicker..

 

[Cinderelli16]

Exactly.
Those shows only BRING it to attention.
I didnt even THINK about teenage pregnancy until those shows started coming out.

Most people dont think about it, its pretty normal.
Now the entire world is acting like everyone who is a teenager is having sex and are getting pregnant when in reality those shows are only bringing the subject to attention.


It doesnt help.



AGAIN.
JUST MY OPINION.

Yep, and my mom has even questioned me on having sex.
She knows I've never done it, but she still is curious at times.
As for other adults, they just assume with even knowing the person, that all teens are having sex. And that is not always the case.

 

[Disney.Ears]

Hmmm Im not sure the movies are surving their purpose. I know one of my friends, who after seeing Juno, was trying to get pregnant because she thought she could handle it.

I've never seen Juno, but I'm disgusted that rather than discouraging planned teen pregnancies like the shows, it's encouraging?! Ugh.

Either way teen pregancy is out of control right now. Personally if I had an unplaned pregnancy I believe I could handle it. However, I would never TRY to get pregnant at my age! I hope Secret Life...Teenager discourages teen pregnancy.

Well, there's only been 2 episodes so far I believe. Right now it's just showing different teens opinions about sex. Some want it, some want to wait. But Amy's situation hasn't gone to where she has the child yet. And her pregnancy was unplanned and she can't believe it and doesn't want to tell her parents about it. Which encourages teens to tell their parents if they are. If that makes sense written out?

As for that show Baby Borowers.....Im sorry those teenagers are SO dislikable I can't even watch it. Some of them are SOOOO stuck up. The show should have chosen a few more level-headed teenagers to see how they could handle a baby.

It's almost like one episode there's a couple that's great with the kids and very likeable, and then the next episode they're so annoying! Like Kelly was GREAT with the baby, but then she got to the toddlers and it was totally different? It was so weird. Morgan makes me so mad. She didn't even clean up her kid's party! I was beyond annoyed with that girl. And then her not talking to her mom and being rude, like ugh. Alicea REALLY wanted to see her mom, and Morgan didn't even appreciate the visit?

Did anyone hear about that pact that 12 (or so) teenagers made at a MA highschool? They were trying to get pregnant so they could raise their babies together. One of the girls babie's father is a homeless man. (she just wanted the baby so bad)

Those girls disgust me. I can't even put into words how...wrong that is.

As for Jamie-Lynn... I think she'll be fine.
She's lucky that she is a rather grounded person (unlike her sister) who still lives in a small town, and has the support of her mother and her baby's father, and according to her, the people in her town are very supportive as well. I think she'll do fine, her successes have always been rather minimal (kids tv shows) whereas her sister kind of let everything blow out of proportion.

Totally agree with that.