[annaversary]

I was at the movies with my boyfriend today and we saw this new commercial for a new television series called "The Secret Life of an American Teenager" and I searched it up on YouTube and well, I finished the first episode. On an honest note, I must say I am curious to see what happens next. But that's not why I started this thread. I am starting this thread because I am curious to know what PARENTS and ADULTS think of this subject/topic being made into movies and tv shows..

I'm sure everyone's heard of or seen "JUNO" right? Well, if not Google it because I am lazy to explain (sorry!). But I remember when that movie came out I heard ALOT of my teachers at school talk about it. And one of my teachers had an opinion that stated how she felt the movie was absolutely ridiculous and IS NOT an inspiration or lesson to the audience because the parents in the movie ARE NOT how parents are in reality. (The parents in the movie reacted quite calm when their daughter Juno revealed her pregnancy and the parents suggested to support her/help her.) Now I must say that the parents probably did one of the BEST things any parent(s) could do for their teenage PREGNANT daughter besides lecturing her right away or abusing her or forcing her into abortion or anything like that. But what my teacher was saying was how the movie sort of sends a messege to teenagers showing it's ok to be pregnant.

Well, I want to know.. how do you feel about movies or television shows that involve a teenage girl being pregnant? Or how do you feel about Hollywood using it as an entertainment target? Because I know movies and tv shows like this were RARELY made, actually never...

I'm just curious to read the different views from parents and adults, thanks everyone in advance for your comments and opinions!

[DlkinVegas]

Have you watched the t.v. show Baby Borrowers? Man i'll tell you what I sit & shake my head at how dumb some of these kids are. I dont understand why teens who should be enjoying their youth are even thinking about having kids you know?
Reality is that there are kids having kids but I dont think it should be glamorized.

Wanted to add that in the case of the baby borrowers show, I think they should take these kids out & show them how much formula, baby gear costs, show them how much daycare costs in their area if they cant afford to stay home with a child. Let them see how much mortgage/rent, utilities, groceries, doctor bills etc. add up. Make them watch some videos of women giving birth.

[ChristyR143]

Yes, I agree...it is a reality, but don't think it should be made to look 'cool' or whatever.

[BlondeAmbition]

ahhh!! so the kids on the baby borrowers actually want babies?!?!!? WHAAAAT!? That's CRAZY! (Sorry, I am usually busy when that show comes on, and I don't get to see it..LOL..) Anyways...I'll throw my .02 in; It may have to do with my generation/mixing with my somewhat conservative ways..because yes, I'll say it-I'm a 22y/o female conservative! I believe that these shows (and Juno) are o-k...for a crowd that can appreciate its humor...and as for this particular t.v. show, I'm sure its targeting a younger audience but that younger audience will take it muuuch differently than even someone my age would...

I think that to say all of these shows are "brainwashing" today's youth is blasphemy; If teenagers are going to go ahead and believe everything they see on T.V. then they are ignorant and clueless; parents of teenagers need to be, well, better parents, and explain to their kids that T.V. and reality are two verrrry different things. However, with all of these reality shows, its hard for kids to determine between reality and fantasy..don't ya think? Shows will never become more censored...it'll just keep getting worse. Sure, Hollywood does make pregnancy, single motherhood, and all the like glamorous, but I hate when people blame the media, and general public for things instead of themselves...

As for teen pregnancy, it is no one's fault, in my opinion, but the teens who consented. They must deal with the consequences.....And yes, I think abortion is wrong in many ways; I don't think anyone should be allowed to kill a baby just because it wasn't planned...however I am still on the fence about abortion in the case of rape/incest..hmmmm..

[ive_flipped]

Has anyone heard all about that group pack at a US high school where all these 16ish year olds made a pack to all get pregnant and raise their babies together??? That is INSANE. They have so many of them pregnant and taking tests and being disappointed that their not. Some how some where these girls got the idea that is it "cool" and something they will have fun doing together. I know people will do what they want no matter what tv/friends etc say but I really think we under estimate how easily influenced people are today. I think they are getting the message it is cool and that it's not a big no no anymore and that is just scary.

[ChristyR143]

Originally Posted by ive_flipped

Has anyone heard all about that group pack at a US high school where all these 16ish year olds made a pack to all get pregnant and raise their babies together??? That is INSANE. They have so many of them pregnant and taking tests and being disappointed that their not. Some how some where these girls got the idea that is it "cool" and something they will have fun doing together. I know people will do what they want no matter what tv/friends etc say but I really think we under estimate how easily influenced people are today. I think they are getting the message it is cool and that it's not a big no no anymore and that is just scary.

The more we see certain scenarios played out on t.v. and in movies, the more "normal" it becomes.

[katkooty]

The more we see certain scenarios played out on t.v. and in movies, the more "normal" it becomes.

oh definitely.. i remember when i was younger (and that wasnt so long ago, im 22), movies were not so explicit in content.. sex scenes were more tame.. and clothes worn were more conservative..now sometimes i feel like im watching soft porn in theaters and its becoming so normal...even with skimpy clothes.... from the movies, all these things are becoming just normal culture..

and lets not forget the latest accessory or fad in hollywood is that baby u hold.. all the tween stars now have kids (britney, her lil sis, christina, nicole richie, ashlee simpson, ettttc) so this influences kids just like how they would want the low rise jeans that these stars are wearing except they dont realize this is not something u can exchange or refund, its a human life

[annaversary]

Originally Posted by ChristyR143

The more we see certain scenarios played out on t.v. and in movies, the more "normal" it becomes.

I have to agree 10000000% with Christy because that's how I feel about teen pregnancies being spread by Hollywood. I feel like movies like JUNO sends messeges to teens that it's A-OKAY to be "preggo" and that maybe you have parents like hers! Who don't react insanely (which is the correct/normal reaction) but instead, calmly give you options and etc.

Sigh.. the world is so currupted now a days NO wonder I am such a hippie... for those who don't know, I'm a HUGE vintage gal and I love the "old times" not just for the fashion senses but because everything was so much more CLEAN and SIMPLE.

[DlkinVegas]

I do partly blame t.v. because as it's been said t.v. glamorizes situations which should not be taken lightly. Even in the case of movie/t.v. shows with crime, they desentisize people. Look at all the copy-cats from media hyped stories.

As for pregnant teens, parents just like a pp said need to actually parent. We are not our kids friend. We are supposed to guide them in the right direction. Too many parents expect teachers to teach their kid about life or just think they will learn what they need to know from their friends. Too much freedom. I see it all the time "Oh, kids will do what they want to do." That doesnt mean your role as a parent & what is expected of/from you is null & void.

[BasketballCourt]

Originally Posted by DlkinVegas

I do partly blame t.v. because as it's been said t.v. glamorizes situations which should not be taken lightly. Even in the case of movie/t.v. shows with crime, they desentisize people. Look at all the copy-cats from media hyped stories.

As for pregnant teens, parents just like a pp said need to actually parent. We are not our kids friend. We are supposed to guide them in the right direction. Too many parents expect teachers to teach their kid about life or just think they will learn what they need to know from their friends. Too much freedom. I see it all the time "Oh, kids will do what they want to do." That doesnt mean your role as a parent & what is expected of/from you is null & void.

I completely agree with everything you said.

I also agree that the more things that happen in movies, the more suitable they will seem in real life. I'm sure that with Juno, there were some teenagers that were "inspired" - not to wait until they were older, but to go ahead and have it early. After all, it didn't look hard for Juno MacGuff to deal with the baby, so why would it be for me? It's sad that some girls probably looked at it that way. (At least she didn't get an abortion, though.)

[dallas]

Originally Posted by annaversary

I have to agree 10000000% with Christy because that's how I feel about teen pregnancies being spread by Hollywood. I feel like movies like JUNO sends messeges to teens that it's A-OKAY to be "preggo" and that maybe you have parents like hers! Who don't react insanely (which is the correct/normal reaction) but instead, calmly give you options and etc.

Sigh.. the world is so currupted now a days NO wonder I am such a hippie... for those who don't know, I'm a HUGE vintage gal and I love the "old times" not just for the fashion senses but because everything was so much more CLEAN and SIMPLE.

I do agree that the more you see various scenarios, the more they appear normal. Look at "Bringing Home Baby", didn't you say that you watched it and it made you want to be a mother?

[Mrs. MC]

This subject has always intrigued me because there were several girls pregnant in my highschool when I was there in the 1980s but I don't think that this is new in the media. Remember the movie "For Keeps" with Molly Ringwald, anyone who is old like me will remember lol ! She was a pregnant teenager and I remember one scene where they couldn't afford a bathroom or something and they had a curtain around a makeshift bathroom in the middle of the room. It didn't glamorize teen pregnancy but you could relate to the main characters in the movie. I have seen Juno, I don't think it glamorizes pregnancy at all, I actually thought it was depressing with bits of humor here and there but a lot of the movie made me feel uncomfortable and I think it really showed how one second literally of carelesness and one time is all it takes to get pregnant especially for a teenager who most of them are extremely fertile. I would not want it for my daughter so I will do the best to educate her and hope for the best.

[annaversary]

Originally Posted by dallas

I do agree that the more you see various scenarios, the more they appear normal. Look at "Bringing Home Baby", didn't you say that you watched it and it made you want to be a mother?

YES YES! I watch "Bring Home Baby" alot.. but I am definetly not inspired to have a baby ASAP. Oh no, I have alot of plans and school of course, career, traveling the world, etc ahead of me But I definetly do love kids and can't wait to one day become a mother.. haha. Hope I didn't make it sound like I wanted to be a teenage mother

I really think television shows and movies, etc play a huge part in today's children and teenage influences.... the only thing parents can do is prevent kids from watching tv or getting exposed to "Hollywood" huh?

[ChristyR143]

Originally Posted by Mrs. MC

This subject has always intrigued me because there were several girls pregnant in my highschool when I was there in the 1980s but I don't think that this is new in the media. Remember the movie "For Keeps" with Molly Ringwald, anyone who is old like me will remember lol ! She was a pregnant teenager and I remember one scene where they couldn't afford a bathroom or something and they had a curtain around a makeshift bathroom in the middle of the room. It didn't glamorize teen pregnancy but you could relate to the main characters in the movie. I have seen Juno, I don't think it glamorizes pregnancy at all, I actually thought it was depressing with bits of humor here and there but a lot of the movie made me feel uncomfortable and I think it really showed how one second literally of carelesness and one time is all it takes to get pregnant especially for a teenager who most of them are extremely fertile. I would not want it for my daughter so I will do the best to educate her and hope for the best.

Yeah, I'm old enough to remember that movie. I had actually forgotten all about that. I also went to school with a couple of girls that ended up pregnant and it was such a shameful thing back then. They even made them go to a different school once they started showing. (Not sure, maybe they still do?) I do think though, as far as the media is concerned, that it's a lot more 'out there' than it was back then.

[annaversary]

Originally Posted by ChristyR143

Yeah, I'm old enough to remember that movie. I had actually forgotten all about that. I also went to school with a couple of girls that ended up pregnant and it was such a shameful thing back then. They even made them go to a different school once they started showing. (Not sure, maybe they still do?) I do think though, as far as the media is concerned, that it's a lot more 'out there' than it was back then.

I want to go find/rent that movie now

I just graduated from high school and I've known a few girls who got pregnant.. of course they dropped out and time to time I see them around my neighborhood at supermarkets with their babies and I wonder how they're lives are..... but I'm sure it's hard... and that's why girls should make wise decisions.....

YEP! They still do make pregnant teenage high school girls go to a different school. For my city, they have another high school RIGHT NEXT to the high school I attended called "Century" where they place misbehaved/pregnant/failing but want to graduate students there. Sort of like juvie? Or is that mean to say