Just when you think you’ve heard enough Spears pregnancy rumors for a given year (how many babies did Britney have this year? Five?), now we’ve got the previously-sane-seeming Nickelodeon star Jamie Lynn Spears in OK! Magazine addressing rumors about her pregnancy. It’s true. And Kevin Federline is not the father (because that would be weird). And she’s keeping her baby.
Don’t worry, though. She’s thought about it, and determined that this is the right move for her. She’s known the father, her “longtime boyfriend” Casey Aldridge, for years, and “started dating him in high school.” By the way, she’s 16. He’s 19. And they met when she was 13 and a half. And they met in church.
Now about 12 weeks along, she’s looking forward to raising the child in Louisiana, where it has a shot at a normal life. And her message for teens about premarital sex is “don’t do it.”
“I definitely don’t think it’s something you should do; it’s better to wait,” she told the magazine. “But I can’t be judgmental because it’s a position I put myself in.” After she found out from a doctor that she was pregnant, she said, “I took two weeks to myself where I didn’t tell anybody.”
“Only one of my friends knew because I needed to work out what I would do for myself before I let anyone’s opinion affect my decision. Then I told my parents and my friends. I was scared, but I had to do what was right for me,” she said.
My temptation is to say that the story is a fabrication. This is because I just find it so hard to believe that with the tough year Britney’s had,–emotionally, in the media, and in court over custody and child neglect issues–that her sister wouldn’t know better, learn from missteps and be more careful. I can’t believe that the star of a Nickelodeon series, who knows how harsh the media spotlight can be, wouldn’t take every precaution to not become a clone of her sister.
But there is a source. It’s not the Wall Street Journal, but it’s a source. (And even as I write, the same story is popping up at Reuters and the AP, with no new news, but at least if it is a joke, everyone’s falling for it, which makes me feel better as a journalist of sorts.)
When I see these stories, I just sigh deeply and repeat my mantra, “Fame, money, success…they can’t buy you wisdom.” But they can buy you very fine child-care. Which is a really good thing for fertile celebrity teenagers.
posted December 19, 2007 at 7:20 pm
I have 2 things to say:
a.) I HATE to see teen-mothers..It’s so sad.
b.) Her 19 year-old boyfriend is going to jail!!
posted December 20, 2007 at 6:11 am
Why is it folks always tell you what you shouldn’t do, even though they themselves did it without regard for the consequences? I think in the end, everyone just wants to learn the lessons for themselves.
What we should now is pray for her, her child, and for her family. May they grow closer together in love, and may they support each other in staying on the right path to God.
posted December 20, 2007 at 12:09 pm
what kind of laws are there in her state…i would think that the (BOY FRIEND)would be facing jail time…they met in church when she was 12 and have been dating for 4 yrs…and he is 19…am i the only one that see’s “child molester” here…giving the fact that Brit (talentless) Brit ..flash in the pan Brit has had her face plastered all over the papers(not to mention other areas) for her out of control events you would have thought baby sister ??? whats her name again…would have had enought brains to learn something this year…and above all WHERE THE HELL have the parents been … (excuse my french)where … these parents also should be facing some kind of punishment for being about the most absent parents in history…good LORD this world is becoming a sewer…these STARS just have to much $$$ and don’t know how to act… and who dubs them stars anyway…some talent agent thats getting fat off them (a pimp)and the parents don’t dare do anything to stop it because their $$$ would be cut off…they all but pimped out their own daughters…what a disgrace
posted December 20, 2007 at 12:14 pm
We should STOP judging…we are no one to judge! It’s done and I feel that she will do her best to be a good mommy…I had my son when I was 17,and now he’s 20 going on 21 and I did a great job raising him…God Bless her and all her family!
posted December 20, 2007 at 12:16 pm
What can parents do if their teens refuse to listen to them and think they know better because they are young? What an old man can see sitting down, a young person cannot see while standing up!!
posted December 20, 2007 at 12:26 pm
it is time for jail for the guy:
it will teach him that there are laws.
no one i don’t care who his is, is above the law.
jail, jail jail,
she is jail bait.
now parents do your job, put him in jail for years,
posted December 20, 2007 at 12:30 pm
He is 18–not 19. And it’s not against the law where they are from because even though she is 16, they are less than 24 months apart.
posted December 20, 2007 at 12:31 pm
I ‘am really sad to see a 16 year old girl pg,and in the spot light?, but you have a pretty good mom and you are 16 but going on 21? Good luck? Keep me posted?
posted December 20, 2007 at 12:39 pm
She will probably be a good mother and age don’t mean any thing.I’m 23 and pg with me second and due jan 28 2008 and my first one just turned 1 dec 10th 2007and my hubby is 39
posted December 20, 2007 at 12:55 pm
I wish the two of them the best with the baby – she’s learned alot from the missteps of her sister. I hope the teens that follow her realize that this is an adult decision that will change the rest of her life. Raising a child is one of the most important things that a woman/man can do. Of course, raising the child right with the lord in their eyes and loving the child to the utmost. Good luck.
posted December 20, 2007 at 2:15 pm
Having sex at 16 is stupid.
Having unprotected sex and getting pregnant at 16 is dumb.
Not having an abortion, UNLIKE celebs and others of generations past, is assuming some sort of responsibility.
As for sending her boyfriend to jail, in some states all they can marry even without her parents’ permission because of the pregnancy. Given the divorce rate in this country, I wouldn’t recommend this method of solving the too young and too pregnant issue.
posted December 20, 2007 at 2:48 pm
I don’t understand parents were was her mother? Why at 16 did she not
have supper vision an why would any parent let a 16 year old date a
19 year old or not tell her there is only one thing there going after
money an sex come on people lets get real her mom didn’t really do a
good job as a parent for either of her daugthers well water under the
bridge now. Well good luck to them both just remember its not about them anymore its about the child. God bless to all
posted December 20, 2007 at 2:50 pm
I think it is a sad state of affairs when a 16 year old girl becoming pregnant is NEWS. Talk about a poor role model.
posted December 20, 2007 at 4:22 pm
I can’t believe this would be a surprise to anyone. With our morals today kids think it’s OK to have sex before marriage. I know she is a role model for kids on TV but hopefully this will let kids see what unprotected sex can produce. It sounds like she has good parents and believe me u can’t blame the parents for something like this that happens. They can only be there for their daughter if she needs them. Just hope she’s mature enough to realize she has to think of that precious baby that didn’t ask for this but must be top priority in her life now. It doesn’t end when she delivers that baby. The responsibility goes on forever. I wish the best for her and her family.
posted December 20, 2007 at 4:26 pm
Everyone makes mistakes. people always have negative things to say. oh though i am not condoning it there are other young parents that have done there best in raising a child and have learned off of other’s mistakes. this girl has enough to deal with. why does everyone have to make it harder on her? everyone look at your own mistakes before you talk.
posted December 20, 2007 at 5:04 pm
I am thankful that she did not have an abortion. I would like to see her help the pro-life community by showing that teenage pregnancy does not have to end with a death, and that “a person is a person, no matter how small!”
If she is 12 weeks along like she thinks, that means that the baby is completely formed, right down to the toes. So many uninformed women are having abortions these days well after the 12-week mark. This is a sad truth that could be changed with better education. Word-of-mouth is the best way to spread the truth, so if everyone tells a few people, eventually everyone will know.
Lori
posted December 20, 2007 at 5:12 pm
People, even young ones, have been having sex before marriage since long before any of us were ever around. They just took care of things in a very private matter. The biggest difference today is that actually having the baby instead of that abortion is not a big taboo.
posted December 20, 2007 at 6:06 pm
He is 18–not 19. And it’s not against the law where they are from because even though she is 16, they are less than 24 months apart
I’m not sure what article you read, but the one I just read stated he was 19….that would be a 3 year age difference. And the fact is she is under 18.
posted December 20, 2007 at 6:45 pm
Being a 38 year old christian women, who has to beautiful sons 5 and 11. I talk with both of my boys about waiting until they get married before having sex and to ask GOD for a God fearing wife, now some people may think their young, and say oh you just wait, well that’s the problem so many parents do wait and then it’s to late. The bible says train up a child (not a teenager, a child) up in the way he or she shall go and they will not depart from it (how are you training your children?). Every single day I speak blessings from the bible, Deuteronomy 28:1-14 over my sons to help shape and mold their future. I didn’t want to bury my children because of A.I.D.S or anything else. I don’t know what church Jamie Lynn and her boy friend attend, but don’t they preach and teach what GOD’s word says about not shacking up together before marriage and not having sex before marriage. The bible says what you do in the dark will come to the light. It also says that you will reap what you sow and Jamie Lynn, Brit and their parents are reaping what they have sown, it’s just now the whole world see it. So be very careful how you live your life, because it will ultimately let people know who and what you really are. If you are professing to be a christian (which means CHRIST like) then please live your life according to CHRIST’s life. Get in the bible find out how you are to live according to the word of GOD and not be your own god and do whatever you want do because you are famous, have money or whatever the case maybe, having integrity and wisdom that’s more important. Integrity will cause you to do the right thing even when no one is looking, and Wisdom will help you to make the right decisions for your life and help you to understand that life isn’t just about you, but how are you contributing to the betterment of those around you. GOD will forgive Jamie, Brit, their parents and anyone and everyone that confess their sins and ask for forgiveness and to be cleansed from all unrighteousness according to 1 John 1:9. So there is hope for her and everyone that finds themselves in that position or worst.
PS. I feel that her show should be cancelled, because she is not a very good role model for the thousands upon thousands of young girls that look at her show. I thank GOD that my sons don’t like her show. My 11 year old said that he did not like the way Jamie Lynn’s older sister (Brit) was living, and Brit should be a role model for her younger brothers and sisters, and he just do not like the show.
May GOD continue to bless America
posted December 21, 2007 at 2:15 am
I’m a mother of three and they are the best.I had my first child when I was 16 and it was very scary for me but I knew I couldn’t part with him and be able to move on with my life and I thank GOD for my children so to any young girl having sex or thinking about it this can happen to you so please talk to someone ask questions and most of all protect yourself because if it’s not a baby it could be AIDS………THINK FIRST
posted December 23, 2007 at 12:19 am
According to the MSNBC article linked in the post above, Casey’s 19. But I agree that I’m not sure the nuance matters.
posted December 27, 2007 at 10:58 am
I am amazed the parents of the Spears children taught these 2 young girls so little self-respect and control. Now the younger sister did not use her brain/mind & examples on better decision making. Supervision was sadly lacking in the Spears household…let’s hope it doesn’t continue with this young sister in how she raises her child/person to be.
By the way; what about the young man/father, where is his control & self respect?
posted December 31, 2007 at 2:01 am
I can’t believe nobody talked her into having an abortion. This will hold her back for the rest of her life, and what kind of life will her baby have? I can’t believe she didn’t even talk about the idea of having an abortion in the article – I guess it’s implied that she thought of it, but how could she think that having this baby at this age is a good idea? I guess she or her family must be anti-abortion or feels guilty about it, but it’s hard to believe these girls have those kind of morals, but you never know.