The Secret Life of the American Teenager

[storybookmum]

You do realize they are doing this on purpose?? That this is currently going on in lots of High Schools and Junior High Schools across America right now?? That's the point of the show...look at this and TALK TO YOUR KIDS!! No matter how close you are with your kids you will be suprised how many of them are sleeping around.

Hopefully kids and parents will watch this together and start real dialogues and realize what happens the first time. If it helps one kid..it's good.

Yes, I realise that. That's why I had planned, after seeing the previews, to watch it with my girls and talk it over with them, even though they're both quite young. But I couldn't watch it. I have talked with them, I will talk with them, and it's important. But it's also important to me to talk with them within a certain framework of decency in my approach. I found that show to be unacceptably vulgar, crass, and disgusting.

I'm a cop. I'm pretty familiar with the whole high school scene. But I'm also a Christian, and I need to teach my kids within a different approach. This didn't work for me at all, it was too over the top.

No need to debate, it's just my point of view. I do think it's hair-raising that they'd have something that explicit on prime time television, but I am comfortable enough with my remote control - we can reject it easily at our home.

 

[Piecey]

Yes, I realise that. That's why I had planned, after seeing the previews, to watch it with my girls and talk it over with them, even though they're both quite young. But I couldn't watch it. I have talked with them, I will talk with them, and it's important. But it's also important to me to talk with them within a certain framework of decency in my approach. I found that show to be unacceptably vulgar, crass, and disgusting.

I'm a cop. I'm pretty familiar with the whole high school scene. But I'm also a Christian, and I need to teach my kids within a different approach. This didn't work for me at all, it was too over the top.

No need to debate, it's just my point of view. I do think it's hair-raising that they'd have something that explicit on prime time television, but I am comfortable enough with my remote control - we can reject it easily at our home.

I do understand what you're saying and not meaning to argue-- but this show is EXACTLY what is happening in high school.
There is nothing over the top about it.

I think most of the point is to open the eyes of parents out there and show them-- this is truly what is happening.
If anything, Amy being ashamed is the furthest stretch of the truth from what I experienced in high school (I graduated high school in 2005) ..because it seemed like several of the girls I knew that got pregnant had unrealistic views (sorta like Amy when she thought her mom was going to take care of the baby while she did her extracurricular activities) about what it took to care for a child. They all thought it was going to be this magically wonderful experience and super easy. Yeah, right!

Heck. I'm 21, a homeowner, married and can't imagine them handing me a kid here in June!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Yes, I watched the first season and am going to watch the new season too. I have to admit though it is sort of frustrating...these kids are kind of crazy and it's soooo cheesy. Yet there is something that has me hooked. I really want to know what Amy is going to do with the baby.

 

[pfishgirl]

My daughters and I saw previews for the season opener all through the holidays, and I thought, well, ok, this might be a good show to watch together and have some good conversation about.

I left it on for about 8-10 minutes before changing the channel, horrified. I simply could NOT BELIEVE that this filthy garbage was considered fit viewing for teens on prime time.

We'd have had some conversations, all right. Wow.

It becomes readily apparent to me all over again why I almost never watch tv.

I'm sorry you were offended..

However, I do have a question.. This is the first episode you watched? So you did not see any of the Last Season as to why they were all acting like they do?

No offense, but maybe if you had, you would not of been so horrified. Because you are judging the 2nd season opener for the whole show.


the shameless hostility and disrespect of the second girl towards her father As you stated.. Well, if you are talking about the girl with the short skirt at the wedding.. She only Just found out he was her Father AND he told her when she found him to Go Away because he had a new life and family.. I don't know about you, but I'd be pretty hostile too..

 

[pfishgirl]

Yes, I watched the first season and am going to watch the new season too. I have to admit though it is sort of frustrating...these kids are kind of crazy and it's soooo cheesy. Yet there is something that has me hooked. I really want to know what Amy is going to do with the baby.

I'm just hoping we get to seeeeeeeeeeeee the baby

 

[storybookmum]

I'm sorry you were offended..

However, I do have a question.. This is the first episode you watched? So you did not see any of the Last Season as to why they were all acting like they do?

No offense, but maybe if you had, you would not of been so horrified. Because you are judging the 2nd season opener for the whole show.


the shameless hostility and disrespect of the second girl towards her father As you stated.. Well, if you are talking about the girl with the short skirt at the wedding.. She only Just found out he was her Father AND he told her when she found him to Go Away because he had a new life and family.. I don't know about you, but I'd be pretty hostile too..

No offence taken; yes, it's the first episode I've seen. I guess there's all kinds of history I have no clue about, I get that. But it doesn't make it any more palatable for us to walk in on. I can't use that material for discussion purposes with my kids, and that was the only reason I was looking.

 

[pfishgirl]

No offence taken; yes, it's the first episode I've seen. I guess there's all kinds of history I have no clue about, I get that. But it doesn't make it any more palatable for us to walk in on. I can't use that material for discussion purposes with my kids, and that was the only reason I was looking.

That's Understandable
Just keep reminding your kids they can talk to you about everything and anything no matter how embarassing and if they feel they can't you will find a Dr, Preacher or another family member even that they can talk to

 

[storybookmum]

Absolutely!

 

[PatsGirl]

My daughters and I saw previews for the season opener all through the holidays, and I thought, well, ok, this might be a good show to watch together and have some good conversation about.

We did the same thing. Every year DD picks out a program for us to watch together -- we've had some great ones, when she was 8 it was 7th Heaven, 9 was Gilmore Girls, 10 was the reality show with the kids on a ranch (can't remember the name) and the winner this year.... NOT. I see the ages of your kids are even younger and there is no way I'd let them watch this show.

For those of you saying this is a mirror-image of our high schools today, I disagree. Sure, there are girls out there looking life streetwalkers and Moms that seem to have a blaise attitude toward the teen pregnancy but for the most part the families I see have kids playing sports, maintaining good grades, and not having babies at 15 When's the last time one of your kids attended a wedding for their 15 year old friends without any adults getting wind of it And, I spent the majority of the last ten years studying adolescent psychology so I like to think I'm up on the activities of teenagers (at least book smart about it, lol). I'm not saying these things don't happen but if we decide that it's common/normal what does that say about us as parents?

We switched to Kyle XY and tried that last night. Problem is it comes on later and DD gets scared easily. I'm not sure she liked the show as much. But, there was no sex, no rudeness to the parents, and very little violence. Maybe...

 

[PatsGirl]

Then I was pretty startled to hear the discussion in front of the lockers and have that guy say something about the pregnant girl going to "sl*t school."

It was just all so offensively in-your-face and immoral - and completely indifferent about it all. I was speechless, and so distressed.

If I heard my teenage son say that about a young girl, he'd wish he hadn't (we'll leave it at that) -- much like the time I overheard him calling those white tanktops "wife beaters" -- that was a 20 minute lecture on the statistics of murdered wives and battered girlfriends and then I was so upset I threw away all the t-shirts (very mature, don't you think? ). You've got to be kidding! These kids think it's okay to say things like this? I know it happens outside of ear-shot but I mean in front of adults? Probably because so many adults just let it go.

 

[sdarwkcabemanmy]

Then I was pretty startled to hear the discussion in front of the lockers and have that guy say something about the pregnant girl going to "sl*t school." I didn't even realize they could SAY that on prime time.

Primetime for regular (non-cable/satellite) TV has different rules than primetime cable. On cable they can pretty much say/do anything they want since you are paying to have that service.

I'm glad that Amy's mom is NOT going to be taking care of the baby and making it all too easy for her to return to her normal teenage life. Over the summer, while we were at the pool, DS managed to attract several HS age girls who wanted to play with him, ooh and ahh over him, etc. One of them remarked to me she'd love to have a kid just like him. I told her that I'm sure it would be great for her someday, but that right now it would probably be very hard for her. Yes he's cute, but he's also a lot of work.

Personally, I'd like to see Amy's baby be a special needs child. Maybe not go so far as to make it a Down's Syndrome baby but definately some kind of special needs.

 

[pfishgirl]

overheard him calling those white tanktops "wife beaters"

Google it.. You'll get about 1000 places where you can buy thos tanktops and they ALL call them "wife beaters"

 

[pfishgirl]

I'm glad that Amy's mom is NOT going to be taking care of the baby and making it all too easy for her to return to her normal teenage life.

I agree, I was glad Amy got the this is "your" baby speech as well..

However, if it was my daughter, I would help her out just a little bit with Childcare, at least while my daughter is at school trying to finish getting an education.. Besides, it is my Grandchild.. but, I know at the same time, there are alot of Parents whom can't stay home and babysit and they need their Jobs to pay their own bills..

As for the after school activites, nope sorry, you come straight home and take care of your child.. Make sure the Daddy knows he is to help pay for childcare services as well as other baby expenses..

 

[PatsGirl]

Google it.. You'll get about 1000 places where you can buy thos tanktops and they ALL call them "wife beaters"

And that is my point ~~ since when is it okay to use derogatory terms for clothing? I find the term offensive as a woman and as a human being. I'm not sure what my son feels about the term but he sure as heck knows how I feel also hate the term "skank stamp". I know that I cannot expect a teenager to understand or acknowledge what the big deal is but if we don't at least tell them how we feel it is like we are condoning the words and behavior. And just because 1000s do it doesn't make it right

 

[PatsGirl]

Actually, I guess it's called "tramp stamp", same difference though

 

[AristocatFan]

I started watching during the marathon and forgot it was on last night. ugh! I watch with my teenage son, which does lead to some really good discussions.

 

[sdarwkcabemanmy]

I know if I had gotten pregnant in HS, my mother would have SHOT me and asked questions later.

And having a child is hard..not something most teenagers are prepared for. Did you watch that show over the summer with the teen couples who had to take care of children from infants up to teens and even elderly people? I hope that was a real eye-opener for some. I know for the teen couples on the show it was..it showed them how hard it really is to take care of a child, work and still have a half-decent relationship with your SO.

 

[Jsme]

My 15yo likes it so I watch it with her. She was so excited last Monday when the new season started. I always make comments during the show when I see it is not true to life. Of course, at the end I make more comments about this or that. My DD has become so accustom to my comments that she now says go ahead what do you have to say today. I think ABC is trying to do a good thing but it really is a TV show. My DH told our DD that this is the hollywood version of oops I got pregnant while in High School. I work in a HS and I see this on a daily basis.

 

[pfishgirl]

I know if I had gotten pregnant in HS, my mother would have SHOT me and asked questions later.

And having a child is hard..not something most teenagers are prepared for. Did you watch that show over the summer with the teen couples who had to take care of children from infants up to teens and even elderly people? I hope that was a real eye-opener for some. I know for the teen couples on the show it was..it showed them how hard it really is to take care of a child, work and still have a half-decent relationship with your SO.

That's basicly what my Parents did to me, I was 16 when I got pregnant
I was called every name in the book, told I ruined my life, told I should abort, told it will never work.. blah blah blah...

Once my parents realized, I was keeping my baby no matter what I had to do and if they didn't like it, they would loose not only their 1st grandchild but, their daughter too in the process... they changed their tune..

Now, No, I don't recommend having a baby while still in HS, heck I don't recommend a baby til after College graduation.. especially now with the economy in such a slum because it will be very, very hard to survive..

I was one of the lucky ones.. My son's Father & Family were 100% supportive of our decision.. We were fortunate enough that we did not need to take any money from them to pay our bills.. My son's father was 19 and already graduated HS and working Full Time.. We got married when I turned 18 because we did not want permission to get married..

As for Amy & Ricky & Ben.... they have a very HARD road to walk down and I hope it works out.. I still want to see the Baby and I really hope they don't make her miscarry or anything bad..

 

[pfishgirl]

Who's going to Watch Tonight????