Juno: Teen Pregnancy Discussion Opener for Parents

With its release on video on April 15^th, the movie Juno is once again being talked about in the media and in homes across the United States. Fans say it is one of the best movies of the 21^st century. Opponents say that it sets a bad example, showing teen pregnancy in a positive light. Regardless of how you feel about the portrayal of teen pregnancy in Juno, watching it with your teens can lead to discussions that can help you understand your teens better, and show them what your values and opinions are.

Juno is a teen who gets pregnant. She certainly didn't plan to get pregnant. The father is her best friend who she is not romantically involved with. Over the course of the movie, she deals with many of the issues that every pregnant teen faces. She needs to tell the father. She has to choose between abortion, keeping the baby, and giving the baby up for adoption. She has to figure out how to tell her parents and is unsure how they will react. She has to deal with her peers knowing that she is pregnant and her own feelings about the pregnancy. Of course, on top of all of that she has to deal with the physical symptoms of being pregnant.

Watch this movie with your kids. If they haven't seen it yet, wait until the end to discuss the issues. If they have, perhaps you can talk while it is playing, depending on your family's movie watching style. Talk about how you would feel if one of your kids got pregnant or if your son fathered a child. Ask them how they'd feel. Ask them if they thing that Juno is making good choices. Don't preach; be open to honest discussion, listening to all opinions expressed with out judging them. Talk about Juno's sense of self, and how she tries to stay true to herself throughout this whole situation. It is important that your teens know who they are so that in a crisis they can make better decisions in keeping their own values and ideals. You want them to make decisions they won't regret.

If they express views that are very different from you own, do not despair that you have done something wrong. It is fine to have a bit of a debate. Just make sure it is a debate where everyone gets to speak up. As you express your opinion, accompanied by your reasoning and feelings, you will have an influence on your teens. They might not always agree with you, but if you respect their thoughts and feelings, they are far more likely to respect and listen to yours. Discussion and debate is always better than laying down the law.

So go ahead and rent or buy a copy of Juno on DVD. Sit down for a family movie night and let the conversation flow. You just might learn something new about your teens, and they might get to know you a little better too!