Having a “bump”
would seem to be the latest fashion accessory among the
Hollywood set and other celebrities. Who is pregnant, who
might be pregnant and who hopes to become pregnant, is the
major topic of interest. Like it or not, celebrities and
their life styles exert a big influence on America’s
moral values. That is why, in their declining years, they
are paid to advertise pet food, scooters and sanitary products.
And the young are influenced by the young celebrities. The
example that Brittany Spears and her sister, 16 year old
Jamie Lynn, have set for teenagers, couldn’t be worse.
Brittany, a lost child herself, was obviously not ready
to be a mother and now her sister is about to become an
un-married mother. What’s more, Jamie is quoted as
saying, ”I was in complete and total shock and so
was he”. (Nobody ever told her that if you have sex,
pregnancy is a definite possibility?) Almost as comical
is that just previous to her pregnancy revelation, the mom
of both these girls was about to publish a book on being
a Hollywood mother --- something she obviously did not excel
at. Matthew McConaughey announces on his web site that he
and his girlfriend have made a baby together. No mention
of marriage. Halle Berry is pregnant by a boyfriend and
Salma Hayek and her “fiancée” are expecting.
Television shows such as “Sex And the Single Girl”
promote the message that sex with many partners is cool
and perfectly okay. At the suggestion of my son and others,
Val and I rented the recent movie, “Knocked Up”
despite the distasteful title. We suffered through it almost
to the end but could find nothing at all humorous in the
situation or the movie. That two irresponsible silly kids
suddenly are transformed by impending parenthood, is just
not believable. I have not as yet seen “Juno”,
another movie about a 16 year old who becomes pregnant and
selects a couple to adopt the baby but again, un-married
pregnancy is treated in a tone as light as directions to
icing a cake. Could it be just a coincidence that teen age
pregnancies as well as pregnancies before marriage have
gone up for the first time in quite a few years? Brittany
Spears may be paid $1 million by OK magazine for her story
but most teen age girls who become pregnant pay a high price
in loss of education, job opportunities, and the chance
forma meaningful, lasting relationship.
Girls who have un-wanted or
un-planned pregnancies are, thank goodness, no longer hidden
away or vilified but pregnancy is still a serious, often
life changing, event and can carry with it the responsibility
of parenthood. What is interesting tome is that in none
of these movies is the possibility of an abortion even seriously
considered. Whatever your views, it is a legal option and
in real life situations, is both considered and used. The
only movie that presents the disturbing story of an illegal
abortion, is the soon to be released and award winning foreign
film from Rumania, “4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days”.
In today’s marketplace
where sex is used to sell everything from cars to toddler’s
clothes, it is un-realistic to think that abstinence-only
education is going to work. We need to have more realistic
portrayals of the questions to be resolved when pregnancies
do occur, the long term results of having either an abortion
or a child and the recognition that sex, while wonderful,
is for grown-ups, whatever their age.
Jean Cherni
is founder of Senior Living Solutions, a retirement advisory
service. Contact her at jeancherni@sbcglobal.net or
15 The Ponds, Branford 06405.
H. Pearce Company REALTORS®
is a full-service real estate company with more than 100
agents and branch offices in greater New Haven and the Shoreline.
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