Suddenly Teen Pregnancy Is Cool?

Suddenly teen pregnancy IS cool?

1. Teen pregnancy is up partly because there is less of a stigma associated with teen pregnancy since there is more of a "cultural permission" to be a younger mother. The rise is also partly due to the portrayal of celebrity teens such as Jamie Lynn Spears in the media and other cultural shifts, giving teens the idea that "having a baby is the new handbag".

2. The reason the authors use allusion in the first paragraph is to show the readers that teen pregnancy is becoming a trend amongst celebrities and its sweeping teen culture along with it. Whether or not the average teen thinks unplanned pregnancy is fashionable, there are numerous celebrity and pop culture examples of hip, unmarried moms. The author pointed to Nicole Richie and Jessica Alba, and movies such as "Knocked Up" and "Waitress" as examples of these "cool" unmarried celebrities that teenagers look up to as role models.

3. a) The problems that arise when using examples of authority is that statistics can be misinterpreted by the readers. Two legitimate sources on the same topic can provide two different stats. When the author uses statistics and theoretical research in the article it is simply used as an example, and not as a fact. Statistics can vary depending on the location and the results may be different.

b) The inherent paradox that such statistics reveal is that two stats can show entirely different results and completely contradict each other, yet they can still make sense on their own.

4. We are living in an era when not getting pregnant should be easy because we have a lot more contraceptives now then we did in the past. We live in a society where we are educated about sex at an earlier age in school. Also there are a lot more abortion clinics available and numerous birth control methods, ranging from over-the-counter male and female condoms, and spermicides. Other contraceptive options include the day after pill, fertility awareness and voluntary surgical sterilization. These are just a few examples of why not getting pregnant should be easier in our time period.

5. There are a myriad of factors that contribute to the rise in teen pregnancy in America. The reason why the country's rates of teen pregnancy are high is that Americans simply do not have a strong social norm that teen pregnancy is not "OK". For teens, many blame the rise if teen pregnancy on abstinence-only-programs, saying that they deny teens of information that could help them make safer decisions when they do have sex. Poor access to emergency contraception and abortion also may explain the increase in teen births. There are more limits now on abortions such as longer waiting periods, fewer abortion providers, parental permission, and large fees. Teen pregnancy in America is becoming socially accepted in society. Schools are even planning to implement a four week maternity leave for students so they can recover and get used to the baby without penalties for missing class. This gives young individuals the idea that it is acceptable to be pregnant and they will be provided with support. Canada has a slightly lower percent in teen pregnancy in comparison to the US. However, Canada should consider the rises in other countries as foreshadowing of what could happen to them. The rise on teen pregnancy was spread over almost every ethnic group except for Asians. The reason for this disparity can be that in Asian countries, there is a very strong social norm that there is a sequence to life's events, and it is not acceptable to begin a family at the age of 16.

6. Abortion is a politicized, divisive issue because a lot of people believe it is wrong to take away an innocent life. These people usually argue that a fetus is still considered a baby no matter how old it is and that no one should be given the right to kill it. I am not against abortions because I believe it is more wrong to bring an unwanted baby into a world, than to neglect it after it is born. Every one should feel loved and wanted and it is not fair to force someone to have a baby, if they are not financially or emotionally ready to have one.

7. The appeal of being a teen mother has changed over time. Unplanned pregnancy no longer automatically means that girls must have a secret abortion or put their baby up for adoption. Nor do they automatically have to marry the father of their baby. Now, "there's more cultural permission to be a young mother than 10 to 20 years ago". Today, if you're 18, you want a baby on your hip, a miniskirt, and guitar on your back. Popular culture is showing a more positive representation of young mothers. Today, having an unexpected baby can be more of an image-enhancer than a shameful faux pas. It's part of a larger trend to make motherhood chic and happening. Celebrities have helped prove that motherhood isn't "the end of coolness or sexiness for women, or the end of the line".

I do believe it is fair to assume that teenagers who are not mature enough to control their own contraceptives would make unfit parents. If teenagers are not mature enough to think about the consequences of having unprotected sex, how will they be able to make wise decisions after having a baby? If they can't make simple decisions about contraceptives, then they would definitely not be able to make proper decisions on how to raise a child. There are also many teens that continually chose not to take control of their contraceptives use even after having their first baby and end up getting pregnant again.

8. a) Metaphor

Paragraph 4- "Most sought after paparazzi muse, Lindsay Lohan"

The author uses the metaphor to emphasize the fact that celebrities are the center of interest in a culture that thrives on media.

Paragraph 25- "latest accessory in Hollywood-protruding bellies....having a baby is the new handbag..."

The author in the article is comparing the latest style to pregnancy. Media is portraying that pregnancy is the latest trend and it is popular amongst cool celebrities. The author goes on to compare babies as the new handbag, making it seem like carrying a baby is like carrying the most fashionable handbag. It makes teens feel as if it's