Our Fascination with Teen Pregnancy
It seemed to have started with Juno. Then came Jamie Lynn Spears' pregnancy. Recently there were news reports about a possible pregnancy pact between teen girls in Massachusetts. Now there are two new shows on television that seem to focus solely on the topic of teenage pregnancy - The Baby Borrowers and The Secret Life of the American Teenager. With teenage birthrates on the rise (they increased 3% between 2005 to 2006), it seem that the fascination is more of a reflection on what is really happening than something the media decided to focus on.
The Baby Borrowers is a show that demonstrates to teens just how difficult it is to care for a baby. It feeds teens a dose of harsh reality. In the media frenzy that glamorizes pregnancy lately, it is supposed to show that having a baby when you are young is not really all that glamorous.
Meanwhile, The Secret Life of the American Teenager doesn't take such a cautionary line. Instead it is simply about a girl who has sex with the wrong guy and gets pregnant. Ironically, the mother in the story is played by Molly Ringwald who portrayed the struggle of teenage motherhood in For Keeps? (1988). While the show has come under some criticism for not taking a stronger stance against teenage pregnancy, it does open up the opportunity for parents to talk to their kids about sex.
It's not easy for Christian teens and their parents to open up the discussion, and it can be awkward. However, with teenage pregnancies on the rise, and with sex becoming such a mainstream topic of conversation, it seems that those awkward conversations need to happen. While television shows can show the effect of teenage pregnancy, those conversations between parents and children can do a lot more to help Christian teens make better, more educated sexual decisions.
Comments
I think pregnant teenagers are a VERY sick and appalling thing. With every year that passes, every teen generation is getting worse and worse, and one aspect of the teenage degradation is the more prevalent teen pregnancies. Pregnant teenagers disgust me. I think it’s pathetic.
@ForlornShadow
I completely agree with you. It’s very pathetic to go to the mall and see pregnant teenagers everywhere. What ever happened to purity?
grace and mercy are what God extends to these teenagers…yes, consequences and disciplines…but God loves them in spite of what they’ve gotten themselves into…the LAST THING THEY NEED IS STATEMENTS SUCH AS YOURS…what, in your lives, would someone say is despicable, or disgusting…sin…we ALL do that…and it’s all the same in God’s eyes. If you are carrying these attitudes in your hearts, then how can you even think about praying for these pregnant teens, or extending the love of Christ?!
@Purity Rings:
Thank you for agreeing with me! It really touches me to find people out there, like you, who are actually in touch with reality.
@luv4ever:
Excuse me? …
I have EVERY RIGHT TO FEEL THE WAY I DO ABOUT THOSE FEMALES! THEY made that mistake! IT’S THEIR FAULT! THEY made that bed and THEY have to sleep in it! And they SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES! Do you have ANY IDEA what kind of pain RAPE survivors go through? THEY DIDN’T HAVE THE CHOICE TO SAY NO! FOR the teens who had sex WILLINGLY, I’m embarrassed by them because it just shows how inconsiderate and infinitesimal their minds really are! I don’t know who you think you are, but just because you disagree with someone else’s perspective, DOESN’T give you the right to snap at them. In MY eyes, you are JUST AS BAD as all of those pregnant teenagers.
Matthew 7
Judging Others
1″Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3″Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
“I don’t know who you think you are, but just because you disagree with someone else’s perspective, DOESN’T give you the right to snap at them.”
Who is the one snapping?
-just sayin
@FOABP
Thanks for calling me a hypocrite. That’s very Godly of you. *Sarcasm*
I wasn’t snapping at anyone; I was defending myself; do you know what that is? Or do you think that’s unGodly too?
The “comment” button is there for people to post their *opinions*; just because someone else’s perspectives differ from yours, that doesn’t make it okay for you to belittle them. Quit being so intolerant.
“Just ’sayin’”.
First of all I would like to remind you all that “FEMALES” maybe the ones who are pregnant but it takes two to make a child, so don’t just point the finger at the one who is carrying. Those females are already visible targets and have to deal with hateful looks, comments, and other ungodly treatment; you shouldn’t do anymore to make them feel worse.
When you do go to the mall and you see these YOUNG LADIES who are pregnant you must remember that you don’t know them or their circumstances. Not everyone was raised to believe in saving themselves or waiting until they grow up to have children.
Now to tell you that I am a 17 year old senior in high school. I go to school everyday and see many pregnant young ladies, which I don’t like or agree with but I don’t jugde. Some of those young ladies and women are my friends. I have seen the many battles they face that wasn’t shown on Juno or The Secret Life of The American Teenager. The parts where people like Forlornshadow and Purity Rings take them to their lowest points and prayer from people like FOABP and luv4ever bring them to a new light and a better life.
I am not saying any of this to belittle anyone else’s opinion or comments. I am saying this because I am a part of the generation that is being discussed and even though you are all most likely adults who believe you know exactly what we’re going through because you have “been there and done that”; the truth is you don’t know exactly. You may have faced some of the same challenges but not every single one.
Sex may be the topic but it all goes back to the fact that everything is getting worse in schools all together. Drugs are being sold in the hallways and sex is not just mainstream, it is almost like a new way of shaking a person’s hand. But thats not all. There are more of my peers concerned about paying bills than about their GPA. This is now a battle and instaed blogs, comments, half-realistic tv shows, and movies; there needs some doing something to reach our generation.
And lastly please remember that these young ladies are products of your generation. And please don’t say that they don’t take care of their children because many of them do hold tight to their responsabilities as mothers. And they ARE MOTHERS and should be treated with the same respect as any other mother.
@StillPure:
I understand what you are saying. Just to enlighten you on something, I do not belittle or condemn other pregnant teenagers when I’m out in public. It is my OPINION that what they did is pathetic and stupid. Don’t try to put any guilt on my shoulders just like all of the other posters above me who have jumped down my throat for my perspective. Don’t put yourself on that level. I’m sure you’re better than that.
More Enlightenment
I’m not an inhumane person. I feel sorry for those pregnant females, but I’m not going to be like luv4ever and FOABP and condone their actions. They were wrong in what they did and apparently both FOABP and luv4ever don’t think that. I’m sorry if I angered anyone on here, but my opinion still stands.
I really wish everyone would drop this. Altercations don’t help.
“Let he [she] who is without sin cast the first stone.”
“Let he [she] who is without sin cast the first stone.”
Forlorn? Very much so. Shadowy? No. Transparent? Yes.
I guess all of ya are right, some teenagers get pregnant just because they are bored and dont have anything else to do. But another teenagers do know what they are doing and get pregnant for another decision or, i dont know, someone abuse them. Just let them live their lifes, they have to learn for their own mistakes, they are humans and humans get wrong sometimes, Im 16 yrs old and now in this days, I really want a baby, not because is popular to be pregnant but because I feel that am ready for that, Im a teenager, yes, but i feel prepare for that big responsability, yal can think whatever yal want but dont judge people cuz yal dont know their lifes and is not your business to get into. Anyways… some of this days yal dont know if your kids will be in that list. Dont judge wrong.
@ LuckyPuck
((“Let he [she] who is without sin cast the first stone.”))
“Do not judge, lest ye be judged.” Wow. Looks like you need some preaching to.
(Forlorn? Very much so. Shadowy? No. Transparent? Yes.)
You don’t know me, so who are you to be so judgmental? Interesting how you are so quick to judge when you won’t even analyze yourself.
Opinions are like bellybuttons; we all have one…
And with that being said, I think it’s best for everyone to get off of my back just because my opinion isn’t like everyone else’s. It’s a waste of time to belittle someone because of a simple thought. Jeez.
First of all I wanna say that EVERYBODY makes mistakes, thats why we’re human. I don’t think it’s fair to say ALL pregnant teenagers are trashy and disgusting and everything else that is said about us and yes i said us. I’m 19 and pregnant and currently a freshman in college. I have an apartment on campus and pay all my bills on time. It’s not true that all teenage mothers dropout of school and it’s not true that all teenage mothers are bad mothers either. I know because many of my friends are in the same situation or have been there. We are human just like anyone else and we shouldn’t be talked about like dogs because we’re taking care of our business. It’s sad that all of society is so quick to judge when they’re nowhere close to perfect themselves. And it’s sad that people in society are so bored with their own lives that they feel the need to criticize others’
I think that everyone is entitled to an opinion. HOWEVER, if it hasn’t happened to you or someone you know…DON’T JUDGE. You can be haters,but just remember that we are only human. AND on a personal note … I am 27… have two kids and the first came at 16. I am a high school grad and almost a college grad… Same as most just started early.
ForlornShadow:
Eph. 4:32
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
“Pregnant teenagers disgust me.”
“I have EVERY RIGHT TO FEEL THE WAY I DO ABOUT THOSE FEMALES! THEY made that mistake!”
“it just shows how inconsiderate and infinitesimal their minds really are!”
“The “comment” button is there for people to post their *opinions*”
How do your words measure up to God’s command to be kind and forgiving? Eph. 4:32 are God’s Words-not mine. If you are offended, then take it up with God.
Well, first let me say that im nineteen myself and about to give birth to my daughter. When your parents abonden you at thirteen and you take on the responsibilty of raising three younger siblings, you tend to go out into the world looking for things. You have absolutely no foundation and guidence. So, for me, I had to learn everything the hard way for a long time. I had given birth to a son at sixteen years old and wounded up having to give him up for adoption 14 months later. I love my son with all my heart. Now, I know just as well as anyone else that I should never have gotten pregnant the first time let alone this time, or be in that “state of mind” so to speak. BUT God made these children and put them in my life for a reason. Im just a vessel in which this baby now is growing and she is God’s child. Whatever he wants me to do with her whether, that be giving her up for adoption or keeping her and parenting her myself, he has good things in plan for us. I just recently found God and gave my life to him. Everything that I had been through led me straight to this point in my life. Now, everything I learned from my “parents” and how they “parented” me will forever be implanted in my memory and in most cases what the kids learn thats all they know how to do…”The generational curse” BUT that does not make me a victim or a product of that environment. The past is beyond anybodies control but with God I CAN change the present. The world is full of sin. Everybody on this earth sins, we can’t help that while we are in these earthly bodies of ours, but the only difference between two people, is that some people are in to their ankles, some to their knees and some even to their knecks. Maybe I was the one up to my kneck and the people here up to their ankles and knees, but God has forgiven me and will bless me, imagine what he would and will do for you? I’m no greater or better then any other human being and visa versa. As for those people on here who are so quick as to judge somebody for their mistakes and point the finger, you need to remind yourself that even though teen pregnancy is on the rise and it’s very unfortunate..YOU don’t know those girls. EVERYONE has a story, a life and feelings…Some girls are simply being mislead and mistreated and I can guarentee a high percentage of those adolescent birth rates stem down to their family history and their “parents.” Most people don’t even realize how much that truelly affects a child and what that really means..everything that takes place in that home…As for me, I have been through so much in my life and have gained so much wisdom and knowledge from it, when I see that a young girl who might just simply need some love and guidence, I’ll take what I have learned and instead of degrading them (which they face enough stress and pressure from themselves and their family) and pointing the finger and turning my back, I’m going to help those young girls and lead as many as I can to God. This world is full of hate, evil and sin…All these girls need is somebody to look up to. God has been calling me and I have finally answered. It’s the best decision that I have ever made in my life. God created us because he loves us. Thats it. Now when we become adults and have the opportunity to make our own decisions, whatever those might be, that determines our place in heaven. The new thing these days for young people is sex. Plain and simple. The devil is laughing right now and getting a kick out of every lost soul. If people would just open their eyes and stop being so consumed in this materialistic world, we realy could help eachother out. When I came across this, some of the comments from some of the people really urked me. Not just because I’m young and having a baby myself, but just the simple fact that people are so full of hate and are so quick to look down on somebody just because some peoples mistakes might be a little more obvious then the person standing next to them. That’s not why and how God created you. Yes everybody is entitled to their own opinion, but because we are humans and are sinners, does that give us the liscence to sin? It’s sad that girls are actually trying to get pregnant this young, I certainly didn’t ask for it, but only got what I derved and what makes poeple think that this world isn’t only getting what it deserves? God doesn’t want to see you hurt and bad things happen to you, it actually hurts him to watch you do it to yourselves! Like I said, I have made many mistakes, and I have been through more then imaginable visible to the naked eye…I’m going to take what I have learned and share it with the world and touch as many young people and maybe even adults as I can. Their is hope out their for these young girls and they don’t need to be made to think anything else. God is waiting for them and loves them no less then the day he created them.
There is no excuse for pre-marital sex, at all. but for anyone to sit there and say that pregnant teenagers “disgust” them upsets me. I am a devout Chritstian who literally, made a one time mistake which i was very rermorseful of. I’m seventeen and pregnant… a child that society frowns upon. My having sex was a sin, but i am taking responsibility for my actions. These pregnant teens are not the only teens having sex… they are some of the few taking responsibility for it. I am not ready for a baby,i’m not in some fantasy happy world of glamourized teen pregnancy, but i realize the consequenses of my actions and am taking responsibilty for it. I’ve condemned mysellf enough for my sin, and I know it is not okay. These people need God, and these people need prayers, not looks of disgust. I dont pride myself in being pregnant. I do what I have to as a result of my sin… not for myself, but for an innocent child.
how do you all think use got here?????????/ bet you mummys and daddys were as bad
I understand where you all are coming from good and bad opinions. I do believe that the pregnant teens that disgust most people are the ones who can not care for their child appropriately. The ones who party and do drugs and spend the little bit of money they have on illicit things those are the irresponsible moms and dads. But I was a teen mother and I have a good job at a nursing home, and I’m also is my 2nd year of college. My 8 month old daughter is amazing and I 100 percent take all responsibilities of the decision I made to have sex with my boyfriend(which is still in both of our lives). Although I had a baby as a teen I do not encourage my friends to do the same. If you are going to have sex before marriage and as a teen know the consequences of your actions but God does not judge our mistakes he just guides us to make better decisions.
Well first off, i think those people out there who say Teens are discusting for getting pregnant are really hypicriticle. How many of you had sex when you were a teen, a whole lot. Sometimes mistakes happen, but you shouldn’t look at them with discust, look at them with respect. You are judging them before you know them. Being a teen and pregnant is going to be a struggle for them, and they dont need critisims that are so harsh. Their going to have to now endure a life with a baby witch is going to be a major stuggle for them. They have taken the harder way out witch is keeping the baby, and for that reason you should respect them. Just as i would respect you, no matter how you looked or if you were disabled. This world will never be a better place if you people continue looking at people in this way. If anything you should be concerned and ask yourself what you could do to make a diffrence.
When I saw the comments in the beginning, I almost was moved by sadness. But, I moved on, and saw the Christian love that people had. It is so sad that people feel so inferior to themselves that they feel the need to be harsh, and criticize others in order to make themselves feel better. One thing in my heart that I feel strong is sex before marriage is wrong. Another is, if you get pregnant, abortion is not the answer. Even though some are teens who get pregnant, the inhumane ways abortion is done is just plain wrong… And, although more than 90% of the population has sex before they are even twenty one, doesn’t mean its right. The common statement of “everyone else it doing it…” is used way more than it should, especially because that is not the truth. On the other note, if anyone was to get pregnant, I would help them. Absolutely anyone. I am seventeen years old, and I understand the pressure that comes our way. My life has been a long and bumpy road. One thing that makes me so happy is I haven’t let my life or pressure get to me. Although, I can only praise God for that. Some of you can’t say that… and it has to be hard, and I understand from the experience from a boy. Reason being I was dating a boy who was a year and a half older than me. We dated for two years, from when I was 14 1/2- 17 1/2. He wasn’t looking out for me, and it took me sometime after the break up to notice that. Later in our relationship (about after dating a year and a half) he would try to undress me every time we kissed, and sometimes I would let him. I have guilt, and shame inside of me, even though God has totally whipped away my sins. We didn’t have sex, but if I let in, he would had done it without thinking twice. I think girls of today think that love is sex. Love is not sex… love is patient, love is kind, and love is not hateful. Something everyone should be asking themselves when with another is: Is this relationship healthy? Is this relationship putting me in danger? Does he/ she add to me? And the most important one, does this please God?
I’m writing a paper on opinions of teenage pregnancies and the opinions out there are amazing! Not necessarily good, but whoa…
I’m almost ashamed to call myself a christian when I look at some of these opinions. Some of you are so judgmental and blind. Yes, fornication is a sin, but all sins are equal in the eyes of God. Everyone sins, it’s human nature. Jesus forgives and gives second chances…he died on the cross for us. He will always love us regardless.
Many teenage parents are terrible–in the same sense, many adult parents are terrible as well.
Being a teenage mother doesn’t mean you are whorish or bad or any other judgmental words some of you have been using. It means you either made a decision or a mistake — everyone makes decisions and mistakes.
My opinion on abortion: (Ps. I’m a biologist so I know the methods that are used and I know the state of the embryo when it occurs; therefore, these are my educated opinions and NOT opinions that have been thrown on my by my family, church etc. ) There is nothing wrong with abortion..why?
1. Early abortion is not inhuman.
2. Every egg in your ovaries is a “potential person”, so if we were to allow every “potential person” to be born there would be a hell of a lot of people…we have too many as is…
3. Abortion is a choice, allow people to make it. Don’t stand outside of abortion clinics to criticize and yell at people. That turns people away from God. Be God-like, be understanding and forgiving…you may say that abortion is “wrong” but don’t abuse people.
I probably would never have an abortion, but I won’t harass anyone else for doing so. It is their choice.
Cheryl
I have come across this site as a Dad looking for answers. I am a Pastor who has just had the shock of finding out my 14 1/2 year old daughter is pregnant. I was distressed at some of the early comments posted on this site. My princess knows she made a huge mistake, she ,didn’t keep it a secret, she is not trashy she loves God and he will get our family through this. I just want to say it happens to good girls too and just because her decision is to keep her baby and will be one of those young girls you see in the mall doesn’t mean she’s a peice of dirt. no she is a courageous young ladie who choose not to hide her sin and terminate her pregnancy in secret(remember she’s living in a fish bowl as a pastors kid) she has checked her moral compass and has chosen life over reputation.
Although I am deeply sadend by her poor choice and have asked my self what as parents could we have done different? She has been raised with all the love and boundries in place but still fell to the flesh.I say to those who find it discusting I hope and pray it never happens to you as a parent, but if it does don’t judge your daughter by the idealology that you use in your comments.
May be you should talk to the young girls at at the mall and show some empathy. REMEMBER THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE. To any young ladie that has made a poor choice GOD STILL LOVES YOU
Blessing Pastor Glenn
Thank u i=this was very helpful