For the past few days bloggerati the world over have been consumed with covering Jamie Lynn Spears’ recently announced pregnancy; this blog included. And while many muse about the Nickelodeon star not learning valuable lessons from Britney’s missteps and potentially ruining a considerable career, other news outlets, such as the New York Times, are trumpeting that parents and children are engaging in a new round of frank, sex talk; something that both parents and children dread, but is phenomenally important.
But I say take this new more open environment even further and give Jamie Lynn her own reality show – show teens what it’s like to be an unwed, 16-year old mother. Nickelodeon says it is talking with “Nick News” host Linda Ellerbee about producing a special on the issue of teen pregnancy, but while I love Ellerbee and she's genius with the kids, a reality show may drive the message home better with its unique blend of edutainment.
Sure, Spears’ family is financially more able to handle an unexpected pregnancy, but Jamie Lynn’s fears will be as real as any other expectant teen mother’s and the possible reactions to pending motherhood the same – guilt, depression, denial. And if, as she says, she wants to tell teens not to engage in premarital sex, then this is the perfect platform. Heck, I know when, as a preteen, I saw a filmstrip of a woman going through natural childbirth, I decided then and there that pregnancy was not on any of my immediate “to do” lists. There didn’t seem to be anything “natural” about it, frankly; painful and traumatic, most definitely.
I’m not saying that we should witness Ms. Spears give birth (although, can you imagine those ratings?), but Nickelodeon should hire the producers of MTV’s “True Life” series, or the documentary-directing Naudet brothers, to produce a gritty, cinema verite-style show that uncovers what it’s like to be a teen mother. Perhaps Nickelodeon would air it later at night due to the mature content, but it’s Nick’s demographic that needs to watch and learn … and apparently its stars, too.Sure, it would be controversial, but so was “Degrassi Junior High” when, in 1987, the Canadian show featured a storyline in which 14-year old Spike gets pregnant after having sex for the first time and decides to raise the baby. That episode not only went on to win the series an Emmy, but is now recommended parent-child viewing by pediatricians.
According to the aforementioned New York Times’ article, older sisters are now worried that their younger sisters who idealize the perfect and perky Zoey character, and the actress who plays her, “might think it was ‘cool’ to be 16 and pregnant.” I say, let’s show them the reality.
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That is by far the best idea I have heard in a very long time! Except that a celebrity might not be the best protagonist for a show like that... with the resources at her disposal, it's likely to make things look a little easier and fanciful than it would be in reality. But the concept is fantastic. A reality show that follows some teenage pregnant girl... the emotional roller coaster of telling her parents, dealing with school, doctors, etc... the pain of labor... and the challenges of life after birth... that would certainly help influence a lot of young people away from problems, and open up conversations with their parents. I'm a big fan of "reality"... real reality, that helps people see glimpses of what life is really be like instead of shows that make problems seem like they aren't that big of a deal, or just entertaining drama at worst. Intervention, Biggest Loser, etc... TV could be doing so much more as a positive influence instead of just entertainment. I would love to see an idea like this come to fruition!
Beliefnet did just get purchased by a Media Corporation, right? :)
Ok, I agree with the first point,the CONCEPT is fantastic. Why not go the next step, what it IS for the average teen girl. There are high schools all across the country with young girls struggling to finish school with an infant. Most live home while mom (and dad?)work to raise the rest of the family, plus this new responsibility. These girls "want to keep their baby" but in a few months, will want to go back out with their friends,and continue to struggle between the two. Ms.Spears situation gives girls and their parents something to discuss, but girls who watch as Jamie-Lynn prances around in a million dollar home while housekeepers and nannies stay off-camera, are not going to get the feel for what it really is.
I think that sinner Jamie Lynn should go into seclusion away from all public attention. And her mother should make public statements of remorse and denouncement of her child's actions. Don't use that quaint language of "difficult time" and "struggling" and so on.
The matter of that new baby should supercede Jamie Lynn and her mother's personal profits, careers, reputations. That baby deserves better than a reality TV show exploitation.
Otherwise, the damage is monumental to American pop culture. It invites a type of childish, selfish narcissism that sexual conduct of rich pretty stars is above reproach AND above the RIGHTS of an innocent baby.
Every baby deserves to have a mother and father capable of being together and raising them: that is the ideal and model. Everything else is an exception to the rule.
Jamie Lynn's sinful fornication and her mother's outrageous neglect SHOULD be cast as an anomalous bad exception. A reality show could promote just the opposite. It would also exploit for profit what amounts to a disgraceful affair conducted right in the home of the mother.
Glory be to God who is above the terrible sins and imperfections of man and womankind.
I really like zoey 101. I have a 9 year old. She loves Zoey. She can also read. So the news about Jamie lynn was a suprise to her. But she said. I hope they don't take her off zoey. I agree with my child. Please don't take her off of zoey 101. Whe cares that she is having a baby.Raise your kids right and that MIGHT NOT happen to you. Or will it. It happens all the time. Know where you children are and what they are doing. Even at that. If they want to have sex. They most likly will. sorry. Julie
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