How to talk to your kids about Jamie Lynn Spears’ pregnancy
Jamie Lynn Spears, 16, has confirmed that she is expecting. The pregnancy came as a surprise to both her and her family, as she’s only a teenager. And she’s decided to continue with the pregnancy, have the baby and raise it in her home state of Louisiana.
In her interview she had the following statement to other teens:
I definitely don’t think [teen pregnancy is] something you should do; it’s better to wait. But I can’t be judgmental because it’s a position I put myself in.
A lot of parents are reeling with the announcement as Jamie Lynn is the star of a very popular ‘Tween show, Zoey 101, with a large following of fans, most of whom are in middle school, themselves. The question a lot of parents are grappling with is how to talk to their children about the news.
Click below for some ways to discuss the news with your child.
- The first thing to do is to make sure you bring the topic up with your children. Don’t assume that they’re already working it out with their friends or that they don’t know. Be involved and use this opportunity to have a heart-to-heart discussion with your young and probably impressionable child about teen sex.
- The typical age range of Jamie Lynn fans is 8-15 years of age. If your child is younger or you’re not sure how much they know about the news, ask them what their friends are saying about Jamie Lynn.
- Once you have found out what your child knows about the news, you should clear up any information they might be missing. This is not the time to let them wonder about random speculation or other rumors, ensure they have the facts straight and that they understand as much as they can.
- The way you address the news will be contingent on how much previous information you have already shared with your children about sex. If you haven’t had the "talk," now might be a good time! Even teens can benefit from a frank discussion about sex and how to process this news.
- Unfortunately, the group that will be most affected by this news will be middle schoolers, according to the American Psychological Association. Especially those with low self-esteem and lower identity issues.
- With teenagers the key to hit home is that they’re not invulnerable, these things can and do happen and pregnancy, and even STDs, can happen to anyone engaging in sex.
- Don’t forget the boys. Your sons are just as likely to be engaged in sexual activity and can benefit from the same conversations and insight that you might provide your daughter!
- Remember, children respect their parents who stay involved and connected in their lives. You, as a parent, are very influential as long as you stay on top of the situation. They may act like they don’t want to hear you, but research has show that what you say does stick with them.
After you’ve addressed the news with your child, you have to assess your involvement as a parent.
- The first place a child is likely to engage in sexual activity is in their own home, when they’re not being supervised.
- Know your child’s friends and boy/girlfriends and what they’re doing when they’re not with you.
- Pay attention to age ranges. Letting a young teenager date someone several years older can sometimes spell trouble. Relationships with older people can come with adult expectations that many teens just aren’t ready for.
- Sexual activity is most likely to occur between the hours of 3 and 6 in the afternoon, before many parents get home from work.
- It’s important to set parameters that your child can understand. Give them clear rules on who can come to the house when you’re not there and who can’t.
- Giving your child your trust is also important, let them show you they can handle the rules you have set out. If they show they can’t handle the rules though, make sure they understand the consequences and enforce them at all costs.
What have you discussed with your children about Jamie Lynn? If you haven’t yet, will you use any of these tips in talking to them about it? (Please keep comments focused on talking to children about the Jamie Lynn Spears pregnancy, not what you think of her, her parents, or the situation. These comments will not be published.)
Tags: jamie lynn pregnancy, jamie lynn spears, jamie lynn spears kids, jamie lynn spears pregnancy
- Posted on Dec 19, 07 at 10:24AM
- Permalink
- 111 Comments
December 19th, 2007 at 10:28 am
I’m just praying my daughter doesn’t hear about this from anyone at school. She’s 8 and she loves Zoey 101. I’ve not had the talk with her yet, and I was hoping I wouldn’t have to do it at 8 years old.
December 19th, 2007 at 10:42 am
I will be curious to see how Nickelodeon handles the whole affair because my 7 year old daughter watches Zoey 101.
December 19th, 2007 at 10:53 am
I just want to say in her defense, this wasn’t done as a personal attack on the parents with young children. Yes she is pregnant, yes she is young, but some of the best parents are.
She has said she doesn’t advocate it, but I don’t think she should be condemned either.
Some of the kids who watch Zoey 101 wont even be aware she is pregnant, others that are old enough, should understand by now that pregnancy happens.
I don’t think it’s an issue if you have brought your child up to know what’s going on ya know? Your child should know about sex and pregnancy and being aware that it can happen and it’s hard work. But they shouldn’t be shielded from what’s going on in the world, just incase they may copy it…
They should be strong enough in their own minds to know what THEY want.
I think Jamie Lynn is doing a great thing. She isn’t hiding it, she isn’t lying to anyone, or to her fans, she is being completely honest about it. I respect her for it, and I respect alot of teenage mums out there.
It’s a hard job, but who said that a teenager is less equipped to deal with that?
December 19th, 2007 at 10:53 am
It is shocking, but it just shows us that no one is exempt from such circumstances, not even the “rich and famous!” Fortunately, my son is past the Zoey 101 phase and understands sex and pregnancy. I feel for those parents who have to explain it, as some of these youngsters really love the show and Jaime Lynn. God bless her during this time.
December 19th, 2007 at 10:55 am
Celebrity Baby Blog didn’t cite where they got this from – it’s verbatim from a Today Show interview this morning with Dr. Michelle Borba from iVillage. While it’s not up yet, I’m sure the interview will be available on their website. Good information!
December 19th, 2007 at 10:56 am
Although I am sure that many will disagree with me, I think that this is just horrible. Children should not be having children. So many of our celebrities today like to say that they are not a role model. Well like it or not, when you put yourself out there in the public eye, you become a role model whether good or bad. It is hard enough to teach your children right from wrong. What kind of message does this send when someone that they look up to so much becomes pregnant at 16. If it is glamorized by the media the way that most celebrity pregnancies are, then they will definintely be getting the wrong message. Pregnant at 16 is definitely something that should not be glamorized. I love reading Celebrity Baby Blog and really hope that you do very minimal (preferably none) coverage on Jamie Lynn Spears. Her being pregnant is not a good thing, in fact it is just horrible. I have a young son and how am I to teach him to respect girls and women when someone like her (that will be plastered all over magazine covers in the grocery store) clearly has no respect for herself. I cannot remember the last time that I was disgusted by something than reading about this last night.
December 19th, 2007 at 10:57 am
Also…I know it’s hard for parents to think about, but your child having sex is inevitable…
At what point, who knows… It doesn’t matter, because it will happen.
The only thing you can do is educate them about safe sex and the dangers of unsafe sex…
There is no 2 ways about it, they will have sex, you can’t stop them, or keep your eye on them forever…
December 19th, 2007 at 11:00 am
Gosh, that family has had a lot of bad luck lately. For some reason, I think she will fare better than her older sister, but that’s not saying much.
December 19th, 2007 at 11:01 am
Good luck Shannon – I appreciate your concerns; however, I teach fifth grade and it’s big news here. Third grade is next door and those teachers have called in the school guidance counselor because it’s all the buzz. The really scary part is how many of my kids think its “cool” because she says she likes little kids. It’s going to be a very long day!
December 19th, 2007 at 11:18 am
I am the age of Britney Spears and I know that teenagers will have sex and some of them do end up pregnant but I am sick of seeing such young teens having babies. Teenagers always think they are invincible until something happens to them and then it’s up to their parents to take care of their own kids when it’s born. It makes me sick.
December 19th, 2007 at 11:23 am
I know it’s hard for parents to think about, but your child having sex is inevitable…
Yes, a lot of kids do it, but it should not be a forgone conclusion that it IS going to happen. As hard as it may be to believe, there are still parents out there who do belive in waiting until you are married and this is what they teach their children, and get this….sometimes the kids even listen!!!
December 19th, 2007 at 11:33 am
2007 almost 2008 and the kids still having babies.
Sorry, I don’t have enough words to express my shock.
December 19th, 2007 at 11:37 am
I have to disagree with LaurenH that teenagers are not any less equipped to deal with parenthood than others. Teenagers are still growing, emotionally as well as physically. Their lives haven’t given them the experience that can be essential in making healthy choices. I respect teenage parents, but I don’t think they are in the same boat as adults.
December 19th, 2007 at 11:37 am
I do not have children yet, but plan to one day, and had a question that relates to this.
How old should your child be when you have the “talk”?
I’m just so afraid that with the high statistics of molestation/teen pregnancy and things of that nature that it should be a very, very young age, but that could just be paranoia!
Any suggestions?
December 19th, 2007 at 11:47 am
Unfortunately my 8 year old has already been exposed to teen pregnancy because our K-12 is housed in the same building. We live in a tiny little town with one school. There are a few girls in our school that happen to be pregnant right now, and one last year who already had her babies.
In a case like this it is pretty much impossible to maintain their innocence of these matters. In fact it was my youngest who came home and told me one of the 11th grade girls was pregnant before my older two had the chance.
My girls are 7th, 6th and 3rd graders. My older two think its too bad Jamie Lynn is pregnant because its a tough thing for someone to be a teen mom. Our little school is a tight knit bunch, one of the girls brings in her babies(she had preemie twins in july, she is 17) from time to time.
They see how tired she is and although the babies are cute, both my older girls have lamented time and time again they are waiting to have sex until they get much older and possibly married. There is no guarantee they won’t end up in the same boat. I hope they stuck to their guns.
My youngest thinks sex is yucky. Thanks to her older sisters and the talk of the playground I have had to sit her down and have a kid friendly version of the “talk”.
This is the day and age we live in. It doesn’t matter if you are in huge city or a small town either.
My suggestion to the teachers. Tell your students that Jamie Lynn herself realizes that what she did was not the best idea(pre marital sex) but now she is taking responsibility for what she’s done. She is human just like the rest of us, and will make alot of mistakes. Zoey on TV is just a character that Jamie Lynn has played. Jamie Lynn’s decisions are probably not the same that her character Zoey would make.
Maybe that will help the students that think it is cute Jamie Lynn likes little kids understand that she still did something that required a very grown up decision she wasn’t ready to make.
December 19th, 2007 at 11:50 am
“It’s a hard job, but who said that a teenager is less equipped to deal with that?”
Lots of people and lots of research. *On average* teenagers in cultures where the teenage years are a transitional time between childhood and adulthood (as opposed to cultures where people might only attend school until 14 and marrying and having children in the teens is the norm), teenagers *tend* to experience more challenges than even slightly older moms.
When having these discussions with younger children, it’s important that they understand the challenges that young parents often face. Many girls, especially, want to become mothers from a very young age, but in the words of my cousin who had a baby at 16, “I know I would have started out as a better mother if I would have lived a bit more myself first.”
December 19th, 2007 at 11:50 am
My children are 5 and 7. They already know the simple version of how women become pregnant. My brother, who is 30, has a young daughter with an ex-girlfriend. He has told my kids many times how he wished he could see her more than one week a month. This has given my little ones great pause and they both say they want to be married with kids. I am not saying single and divorced parents aren’t great, so please don’t take it that way. My kids just know that they like being together as a family and that they don’t want to split their time with us.
I think Jamie could also be a very effectual influence. She acknowledged her surprise and let it out there that the pregnancy was an accident. Her fans are going to see what can happen if they are not careful . . . and also how different your life becomes after a baby.
Keisha Castle-Hughes (sp?)is a very young mom and seems to be doing a splendid job.
December 19th, 2007 at 11:52 am
Tracy…
I think when you have children, you will know your own child… You will get to a point when you know they would understand…
My personal opinion (obviously not everyone would agree) is that we should be honest to our children from as young as possible.
Now that doesn’t mean the way in which you explain sex to them at a young age has to be beyond their years or vulgar, but to just explain to them how babies are made at first…
I think it just becomes more detailed as kids get older…
But I don’t think it needs to be left until our kids are too old…
I also don’t think having ‘the talk’ at all is much use… I think kids get embarrassed and don’t listen to that…
Just educating along the way, getting comfortable enough talking about it (your kid with you, and vice versa), that is more likely the way forward… It should never get to a point where your child is too scared to talk to you about sex…
December 19th, 2007 at 11:56 am
Sigh… I believe that life will always find a way and I believe that this baby is supposed to happen to Jamie Lynn. Do I agree with this pregnancy? No. Do I think it’s OK for a 16 year old to have unprotected sex. No. But, whatever this child is going to do to bring her baby up will have to include 100% support from everyone around her.
December 19th, 2007 at 12:01 pm
Tracy,
I personally think that it all depends on the child and the environment and what type of relationship the parent(s) have with their children. My mom didn’t talk about it until i was well into my teens, and the conversation was very short…”don’t get pregnant” lol, but that’s the best she could do at the time.
Now that i’m older, i know it is something that made her uncomfortable, however when my younger sister turned 13 she sat her down and the whole “talk” with her…i think it depends on the relationship that you have with your children. Also, just let your kids know that there is nothing wrong with waiting…i’m proud to say that I was 22..and no, nothing was/is wrong with me, lol
December 19th, 2007 at 12:01 pm
I’m just glad that my two little boys are too small to have to explain any of this to them. My heart goes out to all the parents out there of the children and preteens that have to sit down with them and explain why Jamie Lynn’s actions are not OK.
December 19th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
I was a teenage mommy so I have already had the talk with my now 15 year old daughter. I started talking to her about the consequences of premarital / teenage sex when she was 12.
She has seen me struggle and knows it is not the easy route. She has told me many times she doesn’t even want kids and if she does she wants to live her life first.
I’m sure Jamie Lynn isn’t the first star to get pregnant in her teenage years. I think it’s great that she is taking responsibility for her actions. It happens, it’s not the end of the world but it is definitely a hard road. I wish her the best of luck.
Don’t be scared to talk to your kids about the consequences of sex. I know a lot of them think it simply won’t happen to them.
December 19th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
“Lastly, don’t forget the boys. Your sons are just as likely to be engaged in sexual activity and can benefit from the same conversations and insight that you might provide your daughter!”
Uhhhh, i think that should be “FIRST, let’s not forget the boys.” Why is sex education for boys ancillary? They are just as responsible for pregnancies.
That being said, parents need to get their heads out of the sand about talking to kids about sex. I hear so many “oh, but she’s only 6, or 7, 8″. Ha. If you don’t think it’s time to start talking about their bodies and sex, you are mistaken!!!! Believe me, I work with kids.
There is nothing wrong with having age-appropriate discussions with kids about their bodies, especially girls. (not that this is the problem w/J-Lynn). To the poster who mentioned her daughter is 8–uh, I got news for you, it’s time, and it has been time, to get prepared. Don’t wait until your daughter has her period to start having sex/body discussions. Incorporate those talks into your conversations like now. Puberty’s around the corner…..
This issue is bigger than this forum; this country is so contradictory in its behavior: puritanical in values, yet sexually explicit when it comes to advertising, t.v., games, etc. This country is so afraid to talk about sex it is astounding!!!!! Newsflash: Just because you talk about sex with your kids does not mean they will run out and do it. Being a parent means equipping your kids with KNOWLEDGE about their bodies/emotions/etc. We do a great disservice putting our heads in the sand/clouds, hoping that they will never have sex, not to mention the DREAD parents mention when broaching the topic. Why? didn’t you have sex to conceive your kids? Are you still that hung up about sex as an adult? I think many Americans are, even if married w/kids.
But back to the original question: YES. Kids need to have this situation explained, in an age-appropriate fashion, of course. And if they ask questions like “how did it happen?” there are age-approp ways of responding. We CANNOT fear talking about sexuality–that has gotten this country in enough trouble already. In fact, being secretive about sex and approaching it with dread is one of the best ways to foster curiosity in kids.
I’ve talked to some of my ‘kids’ and while it is shocking, they can handle it. Adults underestimate childrens’ capabilities, and I understand that as parents, there is the concern of that happening to their kids as well. But secrecy/non-discussion is the least helpful path to these types of issues.
December 19th, 2007 at 12:25 pm
As a mother who had a child four months after her 16th birthday, let me tell you that that poor child (child being Jamie Lynn) is in for one hell of a ride; though I’m sure it will be a bit different for her being under the eye of the media and her sister being who she is.
My 8 year old is going to be -shattered- at this. She knows first hand what its like to be the child in that position. And I don’t even have her with me at the moment to talk to her about it! Ugh. She’s with her dad until Xmas break starts. I’ve called and warned him but I bet Kez is going to come home looking for a lot of answers…
good luck to all those parents who are dealing with the initial fallout of the news!
December 19th, 2007 at 12:26 pm
I’m sure someone’s going to tell my kids at school what happened, and they’re going to say something to me when they get home. But otherwise, I could totally get away with not telling them anything about it.
They show’s already filmed Season 4, so maybe they could redo the last episode, before she starts showing, so it’s not a cliffhanger like they were planning on, and wrap the whole thing up neatly so the viewers get some closure from the show.
I don’t have a problem with her being pregnant. I just really feel sorry that she’s going to lose those years when you get to be selfish and wild and crazy and it’s all OK. I missed those years myself as a teen mom, and honestly – I’m still not totally over it, and I’m almost 30 now.
December 19th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
I tihnk it’s also important to explain to children that Jamie Lynn is really in a different boat too, because she has resources that typical teens do not have.
If we explain what a difficult road it is, but then see Jamie Lynn still looking glam and going to functions etc. it won’t looks so hard…
I think that she has handled this well and probably will have an easier road then most teenage moms and that should be explained to kids too.
December 19th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
Ummm…
Have any of these people heard of Planned Parenthood? I really, REALLY don’t understand.
December 19th, 2007 at 12:47 pm
I think the problem is that no one will see how difficult it will be for Jamie-Lynn because that part will be hidden. She will have parents to get up at night and help her out or nannies she can hire (because she has money) so she can go out and party like a regular teenager. So the really difficult and struggling part of teen pregnancy I think will be missed on most young fans. They will just never see her struggle.
December 19th, 2007 at 12:48 pm
i just wanted to add to the list…
i really think it’s important that those with teens closer to JL’s age provide their son or daughter with information on how to have safer sex, not just how to abstain. the average teenager becomes sexually active between 15 and 17, so JL is definitely not alone out there. perhaps situations like these could be avoided if more information were out there.
December 19th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
my kids are too young to watch her show, so luckily i won’t have to explain pregnancy to them quite yet! i do have to say, on a not-exactly-related-to-this-post note, i find it pretty irresponsible on jamie’s parents’ part that they allowed their 16 yr old to live in her own house and have a live-in boyfriend.. that is a pretty risky situation for just this kind of thing! eventhough she’s a star and has a lot of money, she’s still a 16 yr old minor who has to abide by her parents! JMO!
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December 19th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
I have two teenagers, a 17 year old daughter, and 14 year old son. I’ve never sat them down and had a “talk”- it’s been an ONGOING conversation in my home.
I work in the “welfare industry” and I’ve seen 12 and 13 year olds pregnant. I’ve always talked to my kids- and explained to them all the things I wish I had known at their age, vs having to learn things from my friends.
I am not embarrassed to talk to my kids about sex, about relationships, about what is truly out there, because I’d rather do that then have to be a grandmother at a young age.
I’ve also held my children to a standard. I have told BOTH of my kids that they should not even THINK of bringing another mouth to feed into my home- just like they would know better than to allow one of their “friends” to move in without permission- same thing. Kids at 15, 16, and 17 THINK they know what they are doing- but they don’t.
I had my daughter 2 days shy of my 19th birthday, and I have told her how extremely hard it was, even though I was “grown” and “out of school”. If I could go back, I’d have never put myself in that position in the first place.
It’s irresponsible of these girls, especially those in the spotlight, to do these types of things. I’m sorry. I’ve long been what some would consider a hypocrite or judgemental but so far there aren’t any babies in my house….when the kids and I would be out and about and see a very obviously TEEN girl either pregnant or with a baby- I would always mention how sad for them, how sad for her mother- that this CHILD made this life changing decision that affects the entire family. Yes, what is done is done, but there is no shame anymore, and it’s ruining these kids.
December 19th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
I think Keisha Castle Hughes handled her pregnancy really well, and so I respect Jamie Lynn’s decision to take responsibility as Keisha did.
Teen pregnancy is always hard but I think when explaining this to children, its important to find balance in laying out the facts without condemning or cordoning Jamie Lynn as a person, and to focus on the actions that got her into it and how she is handling it.
December 19th, 2007 at 1:20 pm
I think that maybe a better idea than trying to push a no-sex idea on teens is to push a safe-sex idea, this will go on when they are older and can help to prevent some stds and pregnancy.
Sex will be inevitable for a lot of teens and young adults, if you teach them when they are younger then they will have a better chance when they are older of taking your advice.
December 19th, 2007 at 1:23 pm
Regardless of culture, a teenagers brain has not stopped growing yet. This is a biological fact. The area of reasoning is the last to mature. This is going to be a tough road for this little girl.
My 9 year old daughter literally had a “stunned” look on her face when she heard of this news. I could immediately see her grappling w/ what it all meant…. we haven’t had a real discussion about it yet (but soon) because she didn’t want to hear any more about it, and I wanted to give her just enough info for her to process.
I’m going to talk w/ her about it in increments, filling her out as we go. I was a teen mom at 18, got married immediately, I thought I was so grown up, but I was so lost and didn’t know what I was doing.
That baby is now 22 years old and I won’t lie, I made mistakes because of my youth and general lack of knowledge of parenting and life skills. May this little girl have all the support humanly possible. She needs her family more than ever. God bless her. All of them.
December 19th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
We found out my little sister was pregnant two days before her 15th birthday. She is due next month and the baby is going to be adopted by family friends.
My sister unfortunately became pregnant in an abusive sexual relationship (she says she never wanted to and he always forced himself on her). The small town my family lives in is now starting a support group for young girls in my sisters situation because unfortunately situations like that happen a lot(in one small town). The boy ended up breaking up with my sister right before we found out she was pregnant. She says if he wouldn’t of broken up with her she would of probably stayed with him, but she does not know why. She has no real reason, maybe because she thought she loved him.
That right there scares me. I believe that teenagers need sex education, they need to know all of their options, but I also think that boys and girls need to be educated about self esteem, and standing up for what you believe in, and that you don’t have to do something that is against your own morals just to get a boy or even girl to like you.
December 19th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
I notice alot of people on here are stating that this is ‘not ok’ and its not the best thing at the moment but once her baby is born it will be the best thing… also parents are going to have to have the talk with their children one day anyway……
December 19th, 2007 at 1:30 pm
Maybe Jamie Lynn won’t lose all her teen years to come in diapers and nursing… Don’t forget she got the money to have one, two or maybe three nannies…
I think, what mothers can explain their daughters is you are ready to have your own family when you have a husband (or a long time boyfriend), when you have a job or your husband-boyfriend have a really well paid one, when you have an apartment or can afford one before you deliver.
So, tell all that little girls who are daydreaming and fantasizing about motherhood that you can’t have a real baby with a one-night stand who don’t remembers your name, when your only place is your 10×12 bedroom in your parent’s house and when the only money you’ll get will be social security. Forget the beautiful house of your dreams, your charming prince, your diplomas and welcome in real parenthood. Your “doll” is live and cryin’ and don’t wanna stop, you’re so tired and got no friends ’cause they all go out at night in clubs and you can’t because you got no money to get a babysitter for that night… wow everyone is dreaming of that !
If your daughter don’t understands the reality with that dreadful situation… well, you can’t don’t get pregnant at her place…
December 19th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
I think the media is being unfair with how they’re portraying Jamie Lynn. Her sister has been in the media lately for a lot of things but have you ever heard the same said for Jamie Lynn?? She’s a good girl and is respectful and will be a good mom.
I don’t advocate for teen pregnancies either, but I think she’s going to be a good mom. She’s been in her relationship awhile and she’s being very honest and forthcoming. In a perfect scenario I would hope my daughters would wait until they were married to have children and be completely ready for it, but sometimes things don’t happen like you plan.
I think Jamie Lynn will be just fine and I don’t think kids will try and get pregnant just because she is. I think if she stays on Zoey 101 that they will try to cover it up the best that they can.
Best of luck to her and good luck to all the kids out there that are confused by this. My kids are to young now to know what’s going on but I’m sure it would be harder for the older kids. I think kids are smarter than we give them credit for and I’m sure this will all die down shortly.
December 19th, 2007 at 1:55 pm
This explains a lot about britney in general. It has been no secret britney’s dad is a drinker, her parents have had an unstable marriage, and on her father’s side, a lot of relatives have drinking problems, two of her uncles were in jail, they suffer from bipolar, and britney’s grandma her dad’s mom commited suicide at age 31 after a history of mental unstability. So the family has issues. Sure britney is a grown-up now, but you have to wonder why she is so unstable. Parents are our first role models, and jamie lynn was living with a guy by the age of 16, not something I would have ever been allowed to do at the age of 16. Not every parent is to blame for their children’s mistakes, but jamie lynn is a minor and their were pics of her smoking, dressing older, and dating since the age of 14. Lynne Spears and the dad Jamie Spears obviously didn’t do such a great job raising their kids considering britney has been in rehab, lost primary custody of her kids, and now their 16yr old daughter is pregnant. So personally I think it should be easy to talk to our kids about why jamie lynne is pregnant, the family obviously has major issues, so to me personally I’m not surprised she is pregnant, and their will be a lot more things coming up for the girl in the next few years. Britney at least was 23 and married when she had her first child, and that still didn’t turn out great. It will be interesting to see what kind of mom jamie is. And I hope the next generation which is britnry’s beautiful sons and jamie’s baby turn out better than the rest of the spears, but it’s probably highly unlikely. I just saw alicia keys on the view, what a great example of a talented stable woman she is and at age 26, she really has a good head on her shoulder. This generation of young celebrities is really bad, and I hope children at home look to their own family as role models, because lindsay, jamie-lynn, britney, etc are not people to look up too.
December 19th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
My daughter is 2 and while I don’t have to worry about having the “talk” with her right now, the truth is I never will. We live in an age where preschoolers are comparing their genitalia and the reality is that open communication needs to be ongoing and from the jump; not some antsy conversation when her menses start. I will do my best to instill in her the same values and respect for her body that I was raised with as well as the same level of comfort I had with my mother when it came to discussing any sexually related issues. There are going to be moments where things are awkward for some people to discuss, but at the same time, I completely agree with the other poster who pointed out how puritanic and parodoxical our societies standards have become. You had sex to conceive your child (no matter under what circumstances) and if you’re grown enough to do it, you should be grown enough to discuss it. You do your child a grave disservice by sidestepping the issue and then having the audacity to be upset when they get their information elsewhere- whether through friends or personal experience.
December 19th, 2007 at 2:26 pm
i dont think anyone should be saying things about her because of the position she in i’ve seen girls younger than her get pregnant including myself this shold not be something anybody takes for a shame im not saying it is the rigth thing to do but when it happends it happends and it is not the child fault it is there resposibility. it is dumb when this happend but once your in your in i know it was the wrong thing them for to do because so many children including my daugther look to her as a role model but she made a mistake and now she is going to pay the price.
December 19th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
Ok, why isn’t birth control being discussed? There are soo many options today I don’t see how people get “surprise” pregnancies. On another site they say Jamie Lynn’s comment about don’t do it was about sex not having the baby which I thought was utterly ridiculous.
December 19th, 2007 at 2:31 pm
As a student midwife, I’ve seen great teenage mums and disastrous thirty year old mothers, so age certainly does not necessarily equal a competent mother.
That said I wouldn’t encourage teenage motherhood, it’s a very difficult path. Most of the teenagers I’ve worked with, once given good support and guidance, are fantastic mums. I just wish that as a society we were more supportive and helpful of all mothers.
I think sex should be an open and ongoing discussion in the household. We have two small children and being the children of a midwife… they both know quite a lot for their age.
It’s presented in a very matter-of-fact manner and without too many details. It’s impossible for me to hide sex, pregnancy, and birth from them… it’s part of my job. I think they will be better for it, though… in the long run.
Jaime-Lynnn Spears. She’s not the first and unfortunately will not be the last teenage mum. I’d look at it as an opportunity for some frank discussion, framing it for their age. I would not make it a big discussion… maybe over dinner. The less formal the better.
December 19th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
I for one am appalled at the revelation that Jamie Lynne is pregnant. She is in a position that she knew holds influence over other children and she knows it, that is where her bread is buttered. Her family has shown over and over how irresponsible they can be and I truly feel sorry for her. She had no business living with her boyfriend at 16. I refuse to applaud her for her valiant effort as a teenage mother.
I would never compare her to Keisha Castle-Hughes who was raised in a completely different culture where young motherhood is a cultural norm. Seems to me that Jamie is following Britney down that slippery slope.
December 19th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
I don’t understand why people are so upset with Jamie Lynn. This is Jamie Lynn and Casey’s issue to deal with, not our personal issue to handle.
I can see being upset with her pregnancy if Nickelodeon made her Zoey 101 character pregnant, but they didn’t. And I’m sure they don’t plan on writing this into the script any time soon. The thing is, have your children understand that there is line between the character the actor is playing and the actor herself. So many people (and children especially) idolize celebrities when the reality is they are idolizing a character that the actor portrays.
I’ve had “the talk” with my children, and it is not an awful thing to discuss. Parents really should not wait for something like this to come up for people to sit down with their children and discuss where babies come from, etc.
December 19th, 2007 at 2:41 pm
Well, this would be easier to deal with if we made sure our children’s entertainment menu wasn’t full of junk.
Face it, just because Spears is on Nickelodeon doesn’t mean she’s good, wholesome mental/emotional fodder for your children. Just because something’s on PBS Kids, Disney, Noggin, Nick or whatever channel geared for youngsters doesn’t make it “safe” for children.
C’mon, Nick and Disney are so laden with sex-culture for kiddies that it’s ridiculous. Protect your kids from these debacles by protecting them from “so-called” kiddie media.
A lot of those young stars and starlets are nothing but “sex pots”.
December 19th, 2007 at 2:41 pm
While I am not a mother yet, I am expecting my daughter next spring. I would like to thank CBB and the other posters on here who have voiced their opinion and reached out to help other parents who find themselves having to explain this situation to their young children.
I know that while this particular situation doesn’t really apply to me or my family, I do know that eventually, my daughter will face this kind of situation and I will need to step up and explain this difficult thing to her. I am thankful to be able to gain a valuable learning experience in hopes that I can raise my daughter to be a responsible young adult.
With that being said, I was lucky to have a mother who was not scared to answer any of my questions. Starting very young, any time that I went to her with a question, she did not sugar coat anything and made sure that I understood what she was telling me.
It definitely made it a lot easier as a teenager to go to her with any problems that I may have had, and it also gave me the knowledge to make an informed decision on what type of sexual activity I was and was not ready for.
I plan on teaching my child the same way my mother taught me. Good luck to all the parents who have to explain this to their children.
December 19th, 2007 at 2:49 pm
My kids are too young to know or care who Jamie Lynn is. But now that it comes up, I do wonder how I’d approach this.
On one hand, I am happy she is planning on having the baby and not considering abortion; that might be one way I might approach it were my kids old enough.
I do have to wonder that, technically, since her boyfriend is 18, wouldn’t this be considered statutory rape? I have heard cases where a girl’s boyfriend was even dragged into sex-offender territory for having sex with a minor. Isn’t this issue coming up here? (not that I think he’s a sex offender! but this is still legally considered statutory rape, no?)
December 19th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
Thank you for giving everyone a forum to discuss how to talk with their children about this. I think on a lot of websites today people are trashing the Spears family without any regard for them and without any thought about how this will impact all her young fans. Thanks CBB.
December 19th, 2007 at 3:31 pm
I am curious how/if Zoey 101 will continue to be on the air?
Personally I don’t see it as a possibility to be filming while Jamie Lynn is pregnant. After she has her child, I can see it coming back on. But how much of a fan base will she have after this?
A surprise pregnancy is not ever fun for anyone. I should know. The sad thing is, that little girls are going to think that this is the ‘cool thing to do’. That is what worries me. There are so many teen pregnancies nowadays. But, there is nothing anyone can do to stop these girls. Some are even dead set on getting pregnant.
I am Praying for Jamie Lynn, and her family. I believe that she will be a wonderful mother.
December 19th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
I wasn’t really shocked when I heard the news of Jaimie Lynn. I mean afterall you got Lynn Spears writing a parenting book *chuckles* and a daughter who at 24 couldn’t handle kids and marriage and you don’t expect the youngest one to follow suit? But you would think JL would have learned from big sis’s mess that kids and fame don’t always work at a young age.
I don’t know about most but when I was 16 and 17 sex was the furthest thing on my mind. I mean sex to some wasn’t a big deal but most of my friends were not doing it. I didn’t feel pressure to have it and even when I had boyfriends there was no desire to sleep with them. I am so glad that I wasn’t like most girls. Maybe it was bc my mother always put it in my head that she’d be extremely disapointed in me if I wasted my furture getting pregnant and raising a child at a young age.
Fortunately for JL she’ll have money to deal with it all. But the boy is 19 and who is to say he’ll stick around long enough to help her out or just be around long enough to take her to the courts to get money out of her?!
And the last I heard was that Zoey 101 was being pulled and won’t reair. Which imho is a smart move by Nickolodeon. JL is a role model whether she wants to be or not and having everyone around saying that this is “ok” is not really sending good messages to young girls.
December 19th, 2007 at 4:11 pm
My advice to my children is: live your life, build a career, marry your soulmate, and then welcome children into a loving, responsible home.
I would recommend having kids by their early 30’s, but 16 is just too young. (Does anyone believe these two will still be together even 5 years from now??)
December 19th, 2007 at 4:13 pm
No, it is not Statutory Rape. The age of consent in Louisiana is 16.
Emma, I actually think Disney and Nickelodeon are very safe, almost too safe for kids or at least teens. The sitcoms on those channels make it seem like teen life is happy go lucky everyday.
I actually hope they write this into the plot to show real teen situations or maybe work around her pregnancy like they do for adult actresses to show that just because you are a teen mother does not mean your future is over, but we all know there is no chance in hell of that happening. They will probably cancel the show or replace her.
December 19th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I WISH THEM THE BEST OF LUCK
I AM A TEENAGE PARENT AND I KNOW WHAT SHE IS GOING THROUGH ALTHOUGH NOT WITH THE PUBLICITY ON IT.
Hopefully it wont stress her out and cause the baby harm
My only concern is that I hope she is a better mommy to her child than her sister is. No offense to her sister. But Jamie seems real mature for her age to do this so I hope. =)
Again congrats to her!
December 19th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
I think the thing we need to teach our kids is HollyWeird is not the place to look for role models. If you feel your kids will be crushed by the news, maybe they are watching a bit too much TV.
You need to let your kids know they have a different set of rules and standards to live up to, the rules you have established, then Jamie Lynn, Vanessa Hudgens, and the rest of the kids on TV. Taking naked pictures of yourself and living with your teen boyfriend are not acceptable. And most importantly, you have to live a lifestyle in front of your kids that serve as a good foundation. In other words, practice what your preach.
The rate of teens getting pregnant has risen over the last year. I feel for Jamie Lynn because it doesn’t seem she has really had much direction in her life with so much attention being focused on her superstar sister. It’s almost a repeat of the Solange Knowles (Beyonce’s sister) situation who was also a teen mom.
Children that grow up without discipline and direction find their own and it may not be what we intended.
December 19th, 2007 at 4:28 pm
This is truly sad because with all the forms of birth control out there, there should not be any teens out there getting pregnant this young.
am glad my mom spoke to me frankly about sex when I was 13 and at 33 I still talk to her frankly about it. She never made it embarrassing and I am able to ask her anything. I guess her being so open about sex, birth control and the consequences of pregnancy and stds made me not have sex till I was 20.
Parents need to be talking about sex with their kids and I am sorry abstinence is not the only answer. Kids will have sex whether you believe in pre-marital sex or not.
I think my mom’s frankness allowed me to be knowledgeable in what would happen. I thank her for instilling in me to value myself and to be wise in my decisions.
December 19th, 2007 at 4:34 pm
Thanks for creating this post. As a mother-to-be in 7 weeks – I like reading the various opinions and advice for when my time comes.
I wish people would stop bashing the Spears family as well. We like to think we know these people – but we don’t. This girl made a mistake – leave her alone, mind your business. She is not the first – Beyonce’s sister got pregnant at 17 – no one criticized her because of it like they are doing to Jaime Lynn. This is only big news because of who her sister is.
I don’t think cancelling Zoey 101 will solve anything. Education and role models shouldn’t be left solely to tv shows, movies, etc. It comes from parents. When I watched Friday the 13th movies as a kid – obviously I knew killing was wrong because my parents taught me that.
I think children need to be reminded that Zoey 101 is FICTION! The actress made a mistake in her REAL life and has to take responsibility for her actions. People make mistakes everyday – the positive side is to learn from them and not make people pay for them their entire lives.
It’s not like she killed someone, drove drunk or committed a crime. Some people who have done this run our country! ok – now i’m getting off topic…lol
Great discussion and opinions!
December 19th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
Kate, Diana, and J-Lin said it all and perfectly. Teach our kids not to look at hollywood as role models, look at their own families as role models that’s what counts.
December 19th, 2007 at 4:47 pm
First off: I just want to say what a great post by the CBB team here. When many other sites are just ragging on Jamie Lynn you are the first to actually offer something like this. I think it’s great and just reinforces how great I think this place is.
Ok, I’ve read most of the comments here and I have to say while I can see where most of you are coming from I think that many of you are ignoring – whether you mean to or not – the time period that we live in today.
It’s 2007 not 1957 and teenagers are most likely going to have sex. It’s just the way it is and there is nothing you can do to prevent it. With the time and age that we live in today telling them no isn’t going to do anything. They just won’t listen and they will find a way to do it anyhow.
What you can do, however, is try to have an open relationship with your children right from the start and instill in them how important safe sex rather then no sex. Let them know that you will always be there for them to talk to and to never feel like they would need to hide anything from you.
I don’t know about you but I would much rather my daughter come to me and tell me that she is having sex, no matter the age, so that I/we could take the proper precautions then have her be too afraid to tell me, keep it to herself, and continue on doing it without seeing a doctor regularly.
Honestly, if Jamie Lynn has been dating this boy for 3 years that they are living together chances are Lynne knew what was going on and that Jamie was on BC and it probably just failed. It happens.
I do not personally know her but I do not think that she was being irresponsible about it especially due to her status as a TV star. It seems like just an “unfortunate accident” (I hate to refer to a child as that) but she seems to have a relatively good head on her shoulders and I think she will come out of this all right.
I have to say I was very happy to hear that she was keeping the baby and extremely comforted to hear that she wants to raise the baby back in Louisiana so that it could have as much of a normal life as possible, that doesn’t sound like something somebody immature would say to me.
December 19th, 2007 at 4:48 pm
Age really doesn’t have a lot to do with being a responsible parent. Keisha Castle Hughes is a fine example of that.
Jamie Lynn has experienced things that most teenagers haven’t. And if all else fails she has the resources to hire a nanny!
It will be nice to have a little cousin for SP and JJ.
December 19th, 2007 at 4:58 pm
I think this situation is so sad. While I think it is great that she is taking responsibility, what I think is sad is that she was having sex at 16 years of age firstly and secondly that with all the maturity they both have that they didn’t take adequate precautions – both for sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy.
Hollywood makes kids grow up too soon, I’ve seen it with my cousin (a child actress, now model) and look at all the Hollywood kids who have had early sex and young pregnancies, drugs, alcohol etc. I don’t know why anyone would want that for their child, I guess the allure of $$ is too great.
Like the above posters, I hope my children’s role models are not from Hollywood, which is one reason why we limit pop culture and instead they watch animal shows, art shows, dramas for children, Anne of Green Gables etc.
December 19th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
I want to agree with the poster who said that the most important lesson to teach our kids is that Hollywood is not a place to find role models in the first place. It’s not the real world.
Jaime is no one important or special – who cares what she’s doing in her life? I hope that I’m able to teach my children that celebrities aren’t very special. They just have money.
December 19th, 2007 at 5:04 pm
My biggest fear is that the media is going to sensationalize this to the point that it is going to be “cool” to get pregnant like her.
December 19th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
DD (8, 3rd grade) came home from school today and didn’t say anything about it. I’m guessing it hasn’t made it’s rounds in her classroom yet. I’m sure it will though, so I’m going to make sure I’m prepared.
I was a teenage mother myself. I got pregnant at 16, and had my daughter at 17. My DH husband and I decided the best thing for us would be to get married, so we got married when I was 16 and he was 18. We now have 4 children and will celebrate our 10 year anniversary next year.
I’ve stressed and stressed about how to tell my daughter that I was a teenage mother to her. While my story had a happy ending, (a man that stuck around) that always isn’t the case. I worry that she’ll see my situation and assume that it’s ok because it turned out positive. I hope that isn’t the case.
December 19th, 2007 at 5:27 pm
While not promoted, I think sex needs to be “normalised” for high school kids in particular. With the internet and some pretty freaky sexual acts open for all to see, kids are thinking these are the “norm”.
This is a bit explicit but a survey of teenagers here in Australia showed that of those who were sexually active before they were 17 around 60-70% had performed anal sex because they thought it was part of “what you did”- they felt they “had to”. I think this proves that if you hide sex from them (and have access to the internet or teens who do), they’ll search it out and get ideas like this!
Someone has to teach them about sex being a loving act between two responsible people – emphasis on the responsible – and it should never EVER be about “had to”.
December 19th, 2007 at 5:27 pm
For the past couple of days, I’ve had so much course work, I haven’t really had time to watch the news (I’m a highschool senior). Therefore, I heard about Jamie Lynn’s pregnancy through friends. My first reaction was sympathy for her…hopefully this does not mean the end of her career.
Unfortunately, teen pregnancy is such a taboo subject, there is no chance of it being written into Zoey 101 (not that it should be, since many of its viewers are very young).
If you want your kids to watch a show that covers real teen issues (i.e. teen pregnancy, abortion, homosexuality, self-harm, depression, STDs, etc) responsibly then I would recommend Degrassi: The Next Generation, which is available to download on itunes. You can also watch it on the N (Noggin’s Nightime Channel).
December 19th, 2007 at 5:59 pm
I had my first baby at 14, 2nd at 17 and 3rd at 19, I’m now 40 and have 9 wonderful wanted children and 3 equally wonderful grandchildren.
Being a young mum is hard work, but even with all the sex ed in the world until children realise that there is more in life to aim for than mother hood, and schools, parents, churches etc accept that children have sex and need to to be realistically prepared for the consequences the number of teen pregnancies will not fall.
Saying that JL is not a ‘typical’ teen and I wish her all the best, motherhood is hard at any age but its also the most wonderful thing in the world.
December 19th, 2007 at 6:09 pm
My 2 cents…….Yes, having a baby at 16 is hard work—if you are a “regular person”.
Jamie Lynn is wealthy, doesn’t have to stress over how daycare is going to get paid, or beg her child’s father for money for diapers and formula. She doesn’t have to beg her parents to babysit so she can have a few moments to herself. She doesn’t have to worry about working 2 low paying jobs while going to college full-time. She doesn’t have to worry about where money for Birthdays and Christmas will come from.
I don’t even view celebrities in the same light as everyone else. Their situations are completely different from us “regular folks”.
As far as Jamie Lynn being a role model for little girls. Sorry, that’s where people cross the line. First and foremost, the role model for your children should be YOU, the parents. If you are a good role model, your kids will come out alright.
Jamie Lynn nor Britney signed on stating that they would be a role model for anybody. They signed up to “entertain” people and get paid for doing so. Some of the comments I’ve been reading about this are very ugly. Tons of teen parents go on to finish high school–at the top of their class, and go on to get advanced degrees while raising well rounded kids. I know people who are 45 who haven’t accomplished ANYTHING!
Some people act like they are perfect. Teenagers have sex, and statistics show that it is very common for kids between the ages of 12-13 to have experimented in some sort of sexual activity by that age.
Yes, it would be nice if people waited until they are mature adults before having sex. But it’s not the reality. You are setting yourself up for a huge disappointment if you choose to believe that.
December 19th, 2007 at 6:21 pm
I feel like it’s not really our business to judge her. She admitted her mistake and took the blame for getting herself in this mess and that to me signals some maturity.
I know plenty of 20 and 30 year old people that wouldn’t do that. Also, I think people need to be realistic, 90-95% of the U.S. has pre-marital sex and I don’t see that changing so I think the best bet is safe-sex talks instead of waiting for marriage lectures cause to be honest is that most people don’t wait for marriage. You may not like it but it’s true facts.
I think if more parents were realistic about sex and sexuality with their children there wouldn’t be some of the teen pregnancies we see around the U.S.
December 19th, 2007 at 6:31 pm
I don’t know, I think children should know exactly what statistics are and what is realistically happening all around the world (teen pregnancy) not talking to your children about this, trying to shield them from certain tv shows and music (rightfully so depending on the nature of the lyrics and age of the child) is not going to solve the problem.
So many who are shielded from life get out in the real world that was shielded from them and go buck wild. So I’d guess that for some, being too strict and too lenient are both not good solutions.
I do think that 12-17 year olds should see shows about teenagers who have had sex and gotten pregnant and had sex and gotten STD’s etc… So that they can have an idea about how it could turn out if they choose that route. Depending on the maturity of your child.
Every single person on this board, has great ideas, even though they may be different they still are great ideas.
Personally when dealing with this situation you have to know your child, every child is different so what works for one child or family may not work for the next.
Open communication is the key, I was devastated when my son came to my husband and I and told us he was thinking about having sex with his girlfriend (and he wont even be 17 until 4 mths from now). However I am glad that our relationship is open enough for him to be honest with us.
I told him, I don’t think any teenager is mature enough to make that decision (even though I did and boy does he know this) but I did buy him a drawer full of condoms. I don’t condone him having sex at all but I don’t want any accidents happening either.
In all fairness to Britney and Lynn. (not that I’ve read it on here but on other blogs) Britney was a married adult when she had her first child not a teenager. Lynn- My mother talked to me from such an early age, I can’t remember when she didn’t and until her face turned blue about sex and pregnancy and the communication between her and I as a teen was always open (from her point of view) but that did not stop me from doing it and not letting her know.
So sometimes it may be the kids, even though my brother and his wife had his first child at 24 and my sister lost her virginity (no kids) at 23, the same age as my mother did, sometimes it’s not the parenting.
I am so glad this entire post have mature, non judgmental adults about this situation and keep the good ideas coming. =)
December 19th, 2007 at 7:17 pm
“Honestly, if Jamie Lynn has been dating this boy for 3 years that they are living together chances are Lynne knew what was going on and that Jamie was on BC and it probably just failed. It happens. I do not personally know her but I do not think that she was being irresponsible about it especially due to her status as a TV star. It seems like just an “unfortunate accident” (I hate to refer to a child as that) but she seems to have a relatively good head on her shoulders and I think she will come out of this all right. I have to say I was very happy to hear that she was keeping the baby and extremely comforted to hear that she wants to raise the baby back in Louisiana so that it could have as much of a normal life as possible, that doesn’t sound like something somebody immature would say to me.”
Totally agree Elisabeth.
J-L hasn’t been living a typical teen life so this “twist” isn’t that surprising, many celebs have been teen moms just became famous later in life. I don’t feel sympathy for her, she’ll be fine. It’s just a good opportunity for the rest of us regular folks to talk with the kids.
I am disappointed that she won’t have her big sister around to lean on, sadly she seems more mature than her parents and sister.
As a former teen mom (19) I don’t worry about talking to mine, I think kids appreciate honesty and will really believe you know what you’re talking about. Be proud of making it young mommys
December 19th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
My 6 year old loves Zoey and Jamie-Lynn. We haven’t had the talk yet but she heard from TV that she was pregnant and she said “but she’s too young!” So I told her that sometimes teenagers make grown up choices and have to live with the results, like having a baby.
With that in mind, she should focus on doing 6 year old things, not teenager things or grownup things and let Jamie-Lynn and her family work it out for themselves.
December 19th, 2007 at 8:06 pm
I respect Miss Spears for choosing life and motherhood. YOU GO GIRL! I became a mom at a tender 14, thank god for my child. She makes me look good! She is now 22 in medical school.
I could never be more proud of that decision i made so many years ago at such a tender age. My father wanted me to abort, (my mom died in my birth, so i didn’t have her advice) but I was like NO, what if this is the only baby God gives me. My grandmother told me it was a decision that only I can make, and she was sooo right.
It was hard and we had a very very hard road, but looking at it from this end.. I thank god and my grandmother for showing me that i can hold my head up high, and be a good mother to my child.
I talked to my children about sex starting at a very tender age. I felt that part of me getting pregnant was me being misinformed. if you don’t talk to them about it, their friends and the TV will:)
December 19th, 2007 at 8:50 pm
I am the same age as Jamie-Lynn and can’t even imagine what she going through right now. I wish her the best of luck!!
When I told my mom about Jamie-Lynn being pregnant, she told me to not even think about it. With my values in life, i would never think of doing that. So if any of you have a teenager-that worked for me. Of course, only if they mature enough to understand
December 19th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
I don’t know what the legal age to have sex is in the US but in the UK it is 16. Most girls start far earlier and somehow being pregnant with a long term bf at 16, being as privelliged as she JL is doesn’t really shock me at all.
I think she could do a good job – she and her bf have been together for a long time and she certainly has financial backing to give the child a good education etc.
But seriously – I don’t know what parents are doing in the UK or the US if their children are coming home pregnant. Everyone is saying that kids are not perfect, they will have sex etc. etc. but don’t you have to allow their children to stay out all night, to have boyfriends and girlfriends etc.
I had a total ban on these things as a teen and altho I resented it I knew in my heart I would never want to disappoint my family by bringing home a baby in my teens! There is so much time to meet the right person and have kids!
December 19th, 2007 at 9:03 pm
I am not a mother (nor am I sexually active yet), but I have friends who are both. As more of my friends have experienced accidental pregnancies at young ages (some at 16, some at 19, some right now at 22), I have started to think more about what i will teach my kids when I do have them.
I have started to think that teaching both abstinence and safe sex is a good idea. I don’t think teens are mature enough to deal with all that comes from sex, but they don’t realize that and some will have sex so they need to be informed about everything dealing with the issue.
What really freaks me out, though, is that teens think that since everyone is going on and on about safe sex, it is 100% effective and its ok to have sex so young because it will be “safe”. Clearly, this is not true.
Also, even if teens don’t get pregnant, they don’t realize the emotional consequences of having sex so young. I guess what I’m trying to say is that a lot of people (and teens, especially) seem to view sex as some sort of fun extracurricular activity like going to the mall or something and forget that no matter how much you don’t want it to be anything more than that, it is a big deal and should be treated as such because of all of the things that can come from it.
For me personally, and hopefully for any kids I have, I will not have sex until I am emotionally and financially ready to take responsibility for what could happen no matter what precautions I take. I also want to be in a stable, loving relationship.
At 16, that is practically impossible to have because of all the growing up and changing you do during your teen years. That’s not to say that Jamie Lynn and other teen moms and dads can’t be good parents since they need to, but why put yourself in that situation to begin with at such a young age when there is so much ahead of you and so much time when you’re really ready to have sex be great and everything they think it will be now?
I want to teach my future kids that true responsibility is realizing that while something may be fun at the time, it is important to consider every aspect of what it may do to your life and act accordingly, even if it may be the harder thing to do in the moment.
Sorry for the long post, this is just something I have been thinking about for a while. I’m definitely interested in hearing what other have to think so I can learn, etc. and I welcome mature discussion (which is why I’m posting here instead of on TMZ or something =) haha).
December 19th, 2007 at 9:16 pm
People are treating this case as if she was the first woman in US, under 18 years old, to get pregnant. While I am totally in agreement of sexual education and support for those who may find themself in her situation, I totally DONT GET what is this all about. Including how I would tell my children.
I would not tell my children anything in special just because this girl is famous and may appear on television , I would talk about life in general and that this could happen to anyone, including them and would tell them if they want to have a sexual life at a young age, they should know the risks.
December 19th, 2007 at 9:38 pm
Are you kidding me people?
I’ve seen comments saying that her show shouldn’t be canceled because kids should see what real life situations are. What?
The average age group of the little girls I know that watch it are 7 to 10. Are you saying it’s okay for my eight year old sister to watch a television show about a pregnant middle schooler? I don’t think so.
People need to understand that the reason a lot of people are upset is because Jamie is/was a role model to a WHOLE lot of kids and preteens across the country. Her getting pregnant might cause some kids to think that if she can do it, why can’t they?
Also, I saw a lot of comments saying that sometimes teenagers are great mothers, and that they are “emotionally ready” to have children. As a sixteen year old, I can say that my friends and myself are NOWHERE, in any way, shape, or form, “emotionally ready” to have a child. I don’t think i’ve ever met someone who’s mother had them as a teenager that doesn’t bare some sign of coming from a hard family life.
Just my opinion.
December 19th, 2007 at 9:51 pm
I have a 14 year old and an 11 year old, both boys. We have always explained sex to both of them in terms that they can understand for each of their ages. We don’t discuss the same issues with our 11 year old as we do with our 14 year old. Wording is different, terms, etc.
It was actually my 14 year old that told us that Jamie Lynn is pregnant. As a Mother of boys, both my husband and I have told them that we understand, and we are both here to discuss every issue that comes up.
We don’t freak out or ignore issues ..we talk about them openly and honestly and answer questions. I think it is vital in this day and age to be open with your children and to also let your boys know that they are just as responsible. There is peer pressure out there and all kinds of changes that are occurring.
Personally, I stay as connected to my children as I can. And I want to encourage other parents to not wait until something like this happens. We have talked to our boys long before Jamie Lynn got pregnant. I also have told our boys that if they do get someone pregnant then they would need to step up to the table and not run away. Dreams get interrupted and goals get put on hold. This is serious and not to be taken lightly.
I think that Jamie Lynn is a beautiful girl and I wish her all the best. I have just had my third son and after an 11 year gap I sometimes feel like a teenager raising this new baby. It is a scary time for any new Mum and I hope that she receives all the support that she needs.
December 19th, 2007 at 10:17 pm
While I can understand some people’s concern over what their daughters will think about Jamie-Lynn being pregnant, I really don’t see why everyone is so crazy about it. Teenagers get pregnant all the time, it happens everyday. Unfortunately, most of them do not have the means to care for a baby or they are given up for adoption, or worse..aborted.
Jamie-Lynn certainly has the means to care for a child, and I don’t think it’s fair for anyone to assume that just because she is young that she will not be a good mother. I am sure she and her boyfriend didn’t plan this. They are obviously serious about one another as they have been together for about 3 years now. Her parents seem to approve of him, so at least she wasn’t out “playing the field” and then found herself pregnant.
As another poster said, Keisha Castle Hughes had a baby this year and she was 16, and Beyonce’s sister was 17 when she had her son. They both seem like great mothers. Maybe we should just give her the benefit of the doubt until she gives anyone a reason not to.
I understand that a lot of young girls look up to her and some mothers are mad for that reason. Those mothers should just explain to their daughters in a way that they are comfortable with what happened. Sooner or later they would be told about this type of thing anyway, it’s a very common thing nowadays.
She is already pregnant, and there is nothing anyone can say or do to change that, so I am just going to wish her the best and not judge her.
December 19th, 2007 at 10:25 pm
While I would want any teenager to wait until they are older to have children, I think that the way that Jamie-Lynn is handling the situation is mature and responsible. She choose not to abort her child, and is advising her fans to carefully consider their actions before acting.
December 19th, 2007 at 10:30 pm
I think that Jamie Lynn has made the correct decision to keep her baby… yes she is only 16 but there are teens younger than her having sex too, she unfortunatly didn’t have extensive enough protection. I am proud of her for choosing the pro-life option rather than abortion. That is a responsible choice made by Jamie Lynn. Good on ya honey…just next time use a condom before he gets on you!
December 19th, 2007 at 11:08 pm
To Marie
–You can’t have a “real baby” when you live at home? If you become pregnant and reside at happen, you have a fake baby? What a horrible thing to say.
I have several comments to make regarding JLS pregnancy and talking to children:
First of all, 93% of people will have sex before marriage. The average age at the time of first sexual experience is 16. JLS becoming pregnant is not at all uncommon. In fact, for many 16 year olds, pregnancy is a reality either to them or their friends.
Girls bodies are maturing younger and faster. Many girls are getting their periods before they reach the 6th grade. There should not be “the talk”. Open and honest communication throughout a child’s life should be key.
Make sure your children know about puberty, changes in your body, and about where babies come from. When they’re in middle school, they should already know about safer sex practices and contraception. Middle school is not too young! Sex does happen, whether parents like it or know it.
That being said, JLS is not ZOEY! Zoey is a character, a made up character on Nickelodeon. When talking about this with your children, make sure your children separate reality from TV!
December 19th, 2007 at 11:18 pm
Oh my gosh! What is this world coming to?
It is a shame… Many little girls look up to ’stars’ like this… And think, hey, its ‘okay’ to have sex and its ‘okay’ to have babies because their role models are doing it…
Parents need to take action… It is the parents that are to blame… Parents need to stand up and get involved in their childrens lives and help them learn values and morals as well as consequences…
I really feel sorry for all the girls who think being pregnant at that age is okay.
December 19th, 2007 at 11:29 pm
I am not a mother yet but when I was sixteen I knew that I was not ready for sex but alot of my friends had sex and had babies younger than sixteen. It saddens me because now they are struggling with kids. I could say alot of things about Jamie Lynn but right now all I’m thinking is at least she knew she made a BIG mistake but wants to take care of it. I think she will do better than her big sister.
December 20th, 2007 at 1:44 am
First of all I’m 18.
I was suprised, and a little sad when I heard. I’m in Australia, so Zooey101 isn’t well known here, but still I think its an important issue. I just finished high school, and I haven’t come across anyone during my school years who was pregnant. I remember being 16, and thats when alot of my contemporaries started having sex (I haven’t and don’t intend to for quite a while). I suppose alot people see it as part of ‘being grown up’. Teens are gonna have sex, with all those hormones rushing around, its not suprising. I don’t think we should codone it-its inevtiable. I just think perhaps the teaching could be improved. I got the ‘talk’ (even though i don’t remember it), we get told about ’saying no’, ‘its your body’, ‘use a condom’ etc, but its more then that. What about teaching teens, that it is OK to enjoy sex. Whilst it is an adult thing to do, there is nothing wrong with wanting to feel good. You can enjoy it, whilst being responsible.
JLS appears to be a little more mature then her sister. I don’t think she is wrecking her life, i just hope she approaches it the right way
December 20th, 2007 at 2:38 am
My name is Chloe…I turned sixteen on the ninth of this month, and delivered my twins about a month ago on the seventeenth of November. I could not believe the irony when I heard all about Miss Jamie Lynn’s little predicament. I may be a new mom, but having spent the past thirty three days caring for two colicky restless infants while writing my midterms and managing my apartment (I’m emancipated), I am very aware even at this point how hard it is…however, I hardly think things will be so difficult for JL becausevof all the resources she has to her advantage. When my boyfriend died in a head on collision on Thanksgiving, I re-considered my decision to keep my twins…but in the end I had to decide what was Important to me, and what my priorities were…and I’m proud to say that facing up to my responsibilities was what I was going to do. I am in my junior year, and with my accelerated curriculum while I am recovering from my pregnancy, I will most likely be able to fully graduate by next December. I’ll be working by spring, and once my babies are toddlers, I’ll begin university classes at home. I know that Jamie Lynn is quite mature, especially considering her confusing childhood, and she will do fine. As for there being no cause for teen pregnancy…I was never once unprotected. Stuff happens. Nonetheless, I feel so blessed to have Tyler and Elizabeth in my life, even though i am already braced for all the challenges motherhood has in store for me. Good luck, JL.
December 20th, 2007 at 6:12 am
Excellent posts here every single one. I wanted to add that we also keep a constant line of communication flowing involving growing up, sexual pressures, peer pressure of other kinds, and just anything they bring to the table. My oldest daughter has asked me about self-exploration just recently. I told her there is nothing wrong with it, it is natural and for many young girls a release that might keep them from becoming sexually active.
Some people may not agree with my stand on this but I have no problem with masturbation. I told her it is a private thing but completely ok. She has been sent mixed messages about this in the past however. Last year while she was going to youth group the pastor told them it was not ok. However, several of the kids that were in Youth group with her are sexually active now. She does not attend anymore because she feels they are very hypocritical.
I do believe parents need to be extremely open and honest, without being too detail oriented, in answering their childrens questions about sexuality. The younger they are, the more delicate we need to be.
JLS is just a statistic. The only reason anyone is making such a fuss is because she is a celebrity. If she has the emotional and mental needs necessary to care for her child this will be a very happy, healthy little one. She will not endure any of the financial struggles most very young parents do.
December 20th, 2007 at 9:07 am
I read the first two dozen comments or so and the thing I kept thinking was GEEZ–people she isn’t DEAD! We aren’t telling our children of a friends death, we are talking about a teen “star” who became pregnant. What I don’t get is why hasn’t this subject come up before with so many “stars” and pro-athletes that are in the spotlight and are pregnant (or already have children) out aren’t MARRIED? Why isn’t that just as important as a teen pregnancy? What a great place we could live in if we didn’t have to tell our children of either of those situations, but since that will never happen, life will go on. No pun intended.
December 20th, 2007 at 9:19 am
To High School Teacher
I was writing about little girls who think a baby is like a doll. Sometimes, very young mother tend to underestimate the task of beeing a parent (but some are really good, i’m sure, there’s always exceptions). Everyone around them are offering their help but in time, when the baby is there and help is needed, everyone seems to have disappeared…
Two girls I know have their first babies under 19 and when you ask, they both say they’re very happy with their family, but if there was a remake of their lives, they’ll wait a couple of years before having their first kid. Another girl I know (my first roommate) had her two babies before 20 from two different fathers and let me tell you, she should have never had babies. It was the perfect picture of the girl who thought a baby is a perfect way to keep the father by your side and is no more care than a doll…
December 20th, 2007 at 10:14 am
chloexdancer:
thank you for shareing your story.
good luck with your twins and good luck to JLS everything will work out in the end.
December 20th, 2007 at 10:26 am
Fox News reports that in Louisiana a person can only legally consent to sex at age 17. If aged 15 or 16, the other person involved must be no more than two years older for the act to be considered legal.
If the act took place is California, where Spears lives whiles on the set of her TV show, Aldridge wouldn’t fare much better.
“It states clearly in the Californian Penal Code that any person who engages in an act of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor (under 18) who is not more than three years older or three years younger than the perpetrator, is guilty of a misdemeanour and faces up to one year in a county jail,” criminal defence attorney Jim Hammer said.
“But if Aldridge is actually more than three years older he could be up for a felony, which carries a maximum three years in prison.”
Lawyer Christopher Darden said charges were unlikely.
“The father of the child may have committed a criminal offence or misdemeanour by having unlawful sex with a minor,” he said.
“But unless the complaint is filed from the minor’s parent, it is unlikely that this will be taken further.”
December 20th, 2007 at 10:58 am
High School Teacher said:
That being said, JLS is not ZOEY! Zoey is a character, a made up character on Nickelodeon. When talking about this with your children, make sure your children separate reality from TV!
______________
That’s true my daughter is 8 and she didn’t mention it when she came home from school. So I asked her did you know that JLS from Zoey 101 is going to have a baby? Her reply was, “wait are you talking about on the show or in real life”? I am glad that at the age of 8 she is able to know that TV shows on Nick and Disney are not reality. She knows Zack and Cody do not live in a hotel, Raven is not a teenager in high school, Corey does not live in the white house etc… She does love the shows though.
December 20th, 2007 at 11:23 am
I am hearing that Jaimie Lynn Spears is being offered one million dollars by OK magazine for the first shots of the baby when it’s born.
So truly, what’s this teaching anyone? That once your kids is born you’ll be rewarded with a lump some of money for doing nothing but getting pregnant at 16?
I mean seriously sometimes it makes me question if she truly wants to be a mother or if she truly just wants to make millions off of her kid.
Sorry to be blunt but I had to put it out there. I am not sure how true the story is but maybe someone can check that out or even comment on what they think about it.
December 20th, 2007 at 3:53 pm
I am concerned that with all this money these kids have access to, why do none of them use any birth control? Jamie admitted to going to the doctor without her mother why didn’t she get some birth control before she had sex? Better yet why didn’t the boyfriend use condoms, I mean are these kids allergic to them?
My friends daughter got pregnant while living at my house. I felt so responsible, until I thought about the weeks before she got pregnant when I offered to take her to get birth control and she told me that she didn’t need it, because she wasn’t having sex. I took her at her word and 8 weeks later she was pregnant.
She wasn’t my daughter but I still felt horrible.(She had such promise for a future and she is continuing to throw it away, 6 months later.) You can only do so much. She wanted me to help her abort the baby and I told her no. You had an opportunity to avoid this situation, you chose otherwise. (Her family adopted the baby).
My son heard on the news that she was pregnant and both of my kids (ages 8 and 5) both said that is stupid. She’s just a kid. She won’t be able to have any fun stuck at home with a baby. Babies are a lot of work. I couldn’t have said it better myself.
I am 37 1/2 weeks pregnant with their lil sister and they couldn’t be more excited. They both are aware of how much work babies are (they have a 22 month old brother also)and know that this will not be easy.
I will pray for her and her family. I am not saying that teenagers can’t buckle down and be responsible but it is so hard to try to learn along the way. I still struggle with parenting and I am 31 years old and have been married for 10 years.
December 20th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
chloexdancer-
you rock. hopefully JLS will follow in your footsteps.
“”John Mayor’s song “Waiting on The World to Change” lyrics:
And when you trust your television,
What you get is what you got
Cause when they own the information, oh
They can bend it all they want”"
remember that people!
December 20th, 2007 at 4:50 pm
I agree that Jamie Lynn’s pregnancy is a bit of a shocker. However, I think that the issue that she is not married is more important than the fact that she is a teen mom. So many actresses I see on celeb baby blog are not married…probably even 80% of them. I think it is scary to think of explaining why people are getting pregnant before they are married to children. It is just as difficult as explaining that Jamie Lynn is pregnant. There are other young unmarried girls (eg. Lily Allen, 22) who are celebrated for being pregnant and unmarried, although they are not much older.
December 20th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
@NicolefromAZ
I think you are on the right path with your little ones my 8 year olds second question was, “well is she getting married”? I replied I don’t know and then she told me 16 was too young to have a baby and that it should be illegal. Okay so maybe I need to work with her own what is legal and illegal. =)
The bottom line is no matter what birth control was used or not, there is a baby on the way, so it’s really irrelevant at this point to ponder on why the pregnancy happened. Young or not, unplanned or not a baby from sex that wasn’t forced IMO is a blessing. Even though had and don’t condone a teenage pregnancy, I honestly think she will be a great, young, mother.
A teenage pregnancy is not the end of the world, especially when you are continuing to focus on the things you would have done had you not gotten pregnant, aside from partying. =) I’m talking about education and continue to strive for your goals.
Good luck chloexdancer.
December 20th, 2007 at 8:11 pm
I agree with Mary. Everyone is acting like Jamie Lynn is the first teenager to get pregnant. The fact that she got pregnant is not going to make every kid that watched her show go and get pregnant or get someone pregnant. She made a mistake and she’s taking responsibility for it. The “talk” that parents should be having with their children was going to come whether or not Jamie Lynn got pregnant. Kids are faced with situations every day…they can’t be shielded from things. Jamie is a human being first and like all of us we’ve made some bad choices. You live and you learn. Sometimes we have to learn the hard way. Either way…this is Jamie’s life and she has to live it for her. She can’t live her life for every kid in America.
December 20th, 2007 at 9:01 pm
Hello,
I would like to give my opinion since my Spanish vision. I think this topic has been exagerated a lot. It’s true that she is still very young to have a baby, but please, remember she has not comitted any crime. Second, she is very young but her body is ready to have a baby. Third, she will not be the first and last girl to have a baby at 16… And “How to talk to your kids about Jamie Lynn Spears’ pregnancy”? please, so famous is Jamie that you need to talk with your kids about this? and do you women really need advices from media to talk with your kids abouts this? and what matters if your children watch Zoey 101? the pregnant girl is the actress, not the character. And Nickelodeon doesn’t have to say nothing about this, because Jamie has not comitted any crime or has done something ilegal. My advice? less TV, less church, and more sexual education from parents.
December 21st, 2007 at 7:48 pm
I am a teenager and I can tell you I am not planning on having sex anytime in the next oh, 5 years at least. I think you adults under estimate us teenagers. While some kids at my school have had sex and some are even pregnant, a large majority at my school are aware that giving your virginity away in H.S. is not wise and realize it almost always comes with a consequence, baby or not. I also thought that JL’s statement contradicted itself.
December 21st, 2007 at 9:46 pm
jamie thinks teenage pregnancy is a proud thing to do? sell story like a show?
December 21st, 2007 at 10:14 pm
I’m completely mystified as to why a parent would need “professional” guidance on how to talk to their child about Jamie Lynn’s pregnancy. How about just saying she made some extremely poor choices and pointing out the negative impact they’ll have on her life? Several out-of-wedlock/teen pregnancies happened in my family during my childhood, and my parents never hesitated to let me know they didn’t approve and that similar behavior would not be acceptable for me. I’ve also repeatedly pointed out to others why my marrying and having a baby young was an absolute travesty. Why is this wrong, folks? Can we as a society not bear discussion of the obvious?!?
December 23rd, 2007 at 12:39 pm
well first she is to yong second she is acting like her sister…. she is also exposing all that is going on to her teen show which millions of kid now what she has done already.
December 23rd, 2007 at 11:15 pm
HELLO fellow humans. i am chaney nae. i have a question for miss.jamie prego spearnant. jamie lynn was stupid for just doing it to an innocent 18 year old boy. i am 32 years old and am on the popular sho ;bladez; the cheer team. my daughter junior chaney nae waches zoey 101 and she has been very happy for jamie because she knows that she was ready for a child that would be her fault for even thinking about doing it with someone else. well this is her fault she deserves it for making the same mistake my granmother did when she was 14 years of age, she was ready. all i am saying is that jamie lynn needs to worry about this herself and get some therapy. OKAY?? this whole thing is none of your business so worry about yourselves because abviosly you guys have no life and care about other peoples business.
December 25th, 2007 at 3:48 am
somehow this all makes me wonder; the celebrity apotheosis, Hollywood, media hype,hypocricy,everybody obsessed with youth,
and especially this trend of teenage stars, teenage love, teenage girls looking like adults with adult hairstyles and pseudo-wise attitude, teenage this and that…
I am glad to hear everybody’s opinion on this matter, even from those who became mothers at 14 or 12, and I am really happy that their kids are doing well. But please don’t try to justify and present the teenage pregnancy as something normal,positive or even avangarde. It totally isn’t. It is sooo not cool.It is the opposite of cool.
When my daughter (8 years old) told me about it last week and I didn’t believe her.She saw it in a teenage magazine at her friend’s older sister. Honestly I thought those crazy magazines that hunt celebrities are again making things up.I said to her:” I don’t think it is true, it would be terrible.”My daughter doesn’t really get it, I can see she is struggling to understand. And how can she-she is still too young to understand sex, pregnancy biologically as well as socially.
It is as if she would see Santa-Claus masturbating.
I think really something is out of control with Hollywood obsession with youth and sexualisation of teenagers. And the sisters
Spears, give me a break! Nice girls- maybe, but what they do is sort of too much.And their surrounding (Hollywood) encourages them of course! I have to conclude I am done with them. I don’t think that teenage pregnancy, drugs and alcohol should be presented as ‘anybody would do or could do that’- and without rather pathetic consequences.It is just not true, so don’t get tricked by those ‘emancipated voices’.
Also, yes she can afford nannies and baby-sitters but will that be good for her child? Or is that child going to grow without enough mother’s attention, become unhappy and end up doing the same?
December 26th, 2007 at 3:37 pm
A friend of mine got pregnant when she was 17. Her baby is now 2 years old. Another friend of mine just had her baby last November. They live in another country and asked me what I thought about their pregnancies. I didn’t lie: I told them how disappointed I was when I heard the news because with all the struggles in their country, you would think that they would be responsible enough to use birth control. They know how hard it is to live in that country without a job especially if you didn’t finish school. They were already in college at the time, and it was as if they just wasted all the years they spent studying at a great school, building a foundation for a good future only to throw it away by being pregnant. There’s no welfare services in their country so their resources are limited to family and friends.
A cousin of mine who also lives in another country, had a baby when she was 19. Her own mother had her at 18. Her mom doesn’t have a job, my cousin and her baby live with her mom and my family and I are helping them financially. I have to work and study hard to help pay for our new house and at the same time give money to help my cousin raise her child. I’m 19 years old, I haven’t finished university and I am already giving money to my relatives. Was I bitter? Yes, I was. If I had a say over things, I would’ve liked my cousin to finish school before having her baby. I have been forced to mature emotionally and mentally, put my selfishness aside and help my cousin. Helping others is something I love to do, but at 19 years old, I’m honest enough to admit I’m not that grown up yet. If it taught me something, it was this: I am never getting pregnant until I’m emotionally and financially stable to have a family.
I think motherhood is amazing, but that doesn’t mean any woman who has a baby would be a good mother. The whole family is affected so I wish teens would think about their family, too, before deciding to have sex.
JLS is not the first and last teen to get pregnant, but that doesn’t mean we should just let teens get pregnant because sex is inevitable and ‘accidents’ happen. They do happen, but if we can prevent them (talking to your kids, reminding them, birth controls, etc.), then there would be no ‘accidents’ at all.
December 27th, 2007 at 11:27 am
First off I’d like to say that all of tjese people are phony Teen Pregnancy has BEEN a big issue oh but now that a popular lil white girl pregnant everybody wanna rush and talk about it now.People need to start raising there own kids and stop letting the T.V do it Parents are so uptight about the word Sex period that they don’t even want to discuss the issue.I was 16 yrs old when I had my 1ST son, 17 when I had my 2ND son, and 21 when I had my daughter so yeah I know first hand how hard it is to raise children at a young age but I probrably would’ve at least thought about what I was doing if my Mom wasn’t so old fashioned and was’nt so scared to talk to me about it instead of listening to my friends.Bottom line she just plays that innocent role on T.V she been having sex and parents need to let their kids know that just because that is how they are as a character that is not how they are as real people cause I’m really tired of hearing about all these Celebrity Girls doing things that NORMAL people get busted for and now the whole world goes into crisis like it is someting new that they just invented!!!!! I wish we could never watch T.V ever again.Everybody would be Normal( I think)
January 14th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
to me i dont think its rght for ppl to look at her like that we yall make mistakes so get over it i love u jamie i had a baby at 16 so what im bless
February 11th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
i think that there NOTHING WRONG in what you did. it your life and you should live it to the fullest.YOU GO GYAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 23rd, 2008 at 11:19 am
Although teen pregnancy is a national issue, some of my female cousins come from a small southern community that believe having children at a young age (under 18) is the norm. We cannot hold this judgement against the Spears family, its all they know. Unfortunately, they are celebrities and young role models to young girls. It is up to parents, NOT SCHOOLS, DOCTORS or FRIENDS to influence your child. It is up to you, as a mother, as a father to educate your daughter on realistic portion of being a young mother. Jamie Lynn has the means to support a child, but realistically…most teenage mothers will be using the government for support. We are talking about food stamps, government cheese, and unemployeement. This is realistic.