Jamie Lynn Spears is pregnant.

[Maisie]

You can teach your child about birth control, but unless you follow them everywhere - every minute of the day... you can't force them to use it.

Its a sad fact that teenagers are sexually active, no matter how much we, as parents, don't like the idea. My son is 17 and I am pretty sure he is having sex with his girlfriend. I get on his back about birth control so I feel that I have done what I can...(short of keeping him in the house 24/7!)

I got pregnant at 18, my sister at 16. My mother brought us up going to church and made sure we knew about birth control. It didn't stop us from having unprotected sex. I think you feel somewhat invincible at that age... 'it won't happen to me'...

I feel that I am a good mother. I know I was young but I don't believe it that conceiving at 18 makes me a terrible mother.
My sister had 3 children, then went to college, and then went to university. I know it wasn't an ideal way about doing things.

I'm not saying that its ok to get pregnant at 16. I wouldn't want that for my daughters. I just wanted to put another view point into the discussion.

You can't be around your kids 100% of the time.

 

[rainbowtrout]

My stepmother had my stepbrother at 19. It was pretty harsh when he came home at 16 and told her she was a "statistic" after she had been, all in all, a highly decent mother to him.

People screw up their children at 35, 45, etc...I''m not saying that getting pregnant at 16 is GOOD, but it doesn''t doom her, the child, and it doesn''t necessarily mean that she was irresponsible with birth control.

 

[musey]

Date: 12/19/2007 12:59:34 PM
Author: Maisie

I got pregnant at 18, my sister at 16. My mother brought us up going to church and made sure we knew about birth control. It didn''t stop us from having unprotected sex. I think you feel somewhat invincible at that age... ''it won''t happen to me''...

I feel that I am a good mother. I know I was young but I don''t believe it that conceiving at 18 makes me a terrible mother.

My sister had 3 children, then went to college, and then went to university. I know it wasn''t an ideal way about doing things.

Excellent post, Maisie. I am continually impressed at how many young moms "beat the odds," as it were.

One of the most irresponsible girls I knew in my entire high school got pregnant 6 months after graduation, semi-on-purpose. It took her a little while during her son''s infancy, but that responsibility really made her wake up and grow up. She fought tooth-and-nail to get her way through college while still being a good mother, and she''s done quite well for herself. Her son is a doll, and she seems to adore being a mother.


Different teens will handle the situation differently. I''m hoping that Jamie Lynn will join the ranks of successful teen moms, hopefully with the bad example of her older sister always nagging at the back of her mind.

 

[CaptAubrey]

It''s interesting that almost everyone (not just PS but elsewhere too) is fixating on the "how could she be so dumb?" angle instead of the "19-year-old boyfriend" angle. In California, that''s statutory rape. I''m waiting to see what the LA County DA''s office is going to do about this.

 

[LaurenThePartier]

Date: 12/19/2007 4:12:13 PM
Author: CaptAubrey
It''s interesting that almost everyone (not just PS but elsewhere too) is fixating on the ''how could she be so dumb?'' angle instead of the ''19-year-old boyfriend'' angle. In California, that''s statutory rape. I''m waiting to see what the LA County DA''s office is going to do about this.

That''s exactly what I was going to bring up.

That, and the fact that they live together. Seems to be a strange thing to do at 16.

 

[mirre]

But is her hometown listed as Louisiana? I know that in AR it would have been considered statutory but thanks to Pres. Clinton the age limits were lowered here. So if she's technically listed as living in Louisiana and so is her BF wouldn't they go by their laws not CA? (For the record I do not know the laws in Louisiana)

I believe that even Britney was opposed to Jamie Lynn living with her BF at 16, but the mom wasn't something doesn't seem right about that family.

ETA: It would have been considered statutory at one time but I don't believe it is now. Legal age of consent is 16 (Clinton lowered it to 14 when he was in office) it may be back up to 16 now though. I don't keep up with it though.

 

[steph72276]

I mean, she is 16 and lives with her boyfriend. Is anyone really that shocked that they weren't responsible enough to prevent a pregnany when they weren't responsible enough to realize how sicko it is for a 16 year old to be living with her 19 year old boyfriend in the first place? What is wrong with her mother and father for allowing that?

She probably thinks it's no big deal b/c she can afford a nanny who will get up with the baby at 2am and it won't affect her at all. So sad!

 

[bee*]

Date: 12/19/2007 10:21:21 AM
Author: mrssalvo
I thought she seemed like a sweet kid and had hoped that watching the mess her older sister''s life had become might keep her trying be act/be a littel more responsible. guess not....what a complete shame....

Yeah me too! Can''t believe this!

 

[Sparkster]

The Spears family are not unusual - it''s just that they are famous and it''s being reported in the papers. It happens every day in America (and I''m not trashing the US, heck it happens a lot in Australia too).

All I can say is, it''s like a real life version of ''My Name Is Earl''

 

[lumpkin]

Weeeeeelllllll, why did she go and have a photoshoot with a borderline tabloid and go public with it in this way? I think it''s very odd. I can see having the publicist issue a statement, but honestly, did anything about this need to be so public? It''s not like she''s constantly in the lime light. I doubt anyone would have noticed and she might have quietly worked something out with Nickelodeon. Am I way off base with this? It just seems possibly like a bid for attention.

 

[steph72276]

Lumpkin, it was for money and lots of it....she is getting paid a million bucks for her story and photos after the birth.

 

[UCLABelle]

"Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda"....

Well, it is a sad situation...I am sure she would have done things differently in hindsight, and she should have learned the seriousness of sex and having a baby from her sister, but I admire her for taking responsibility. It cannot be easy, and I wish and pray for the very best.

As for the age difference, as someone who also dated a guy with a significant age difference when I was in my mid-late teens (who happens to be my soon-to-be husband), I want to say that it is so much easier to judge from afar. And parents should probably step in, but there is only so much one can do. I do not think going after him for statutory rape would help the situation....personally.

She likes him, and he likes her. They made a huge mistake, and I believe they are paying for it (her with the media coverage, and I assume a ruined career).

 

[Sha]

Date: 12/19/2007 5:55:18 PM
Author: lumpkin
Weeeeeelllllll, why did she go and have a photoshoot with a borderline tabloid and go public with it in this way? I think it''s very odd. I can see having the publicist issue a statement, but honestly, did anything about this need to be so public? It''s not like she''s constantly in the lime light. I doubt anyone would have noticed and she might have quietly worked something out with Nickelodeon. Am I way off base with this? It just seems possibly like a bid for attention.

I was wondering about that too. Most celebrities would wait until people noticed and then let their publicists issue a statement, but for her to go to OK magazine and ''announce'' it, seemed a bit weird to me too. It almost comes off like she''s a bit proud of it... don''t know. Or maybe a bid for attention as you say? Maybe she wants to deflect attention away from her sister?

I also heard she had a pregnancy scare in July/August, but the pregnancy tests were negative. If she had such a scare in July, then why did she allow herself to actually get pregnant two months after? You would think she would make an extra special effort to protect herself to avoid being in that position again.

 

[luckystar112]

Date: 12/19/2007 7:32:54 PM
Author: Sha

Date: 12/19/2007 5:55:18 PM
Author: lumpkin
Weeeeeelllllll, why did she go and have a photoshoot with a borderline tabloid and go public with it in this way? I think it''s very odd. I can see having the publicist issue a statement, but honestly, did anything about this need to be so public? It''s not like she''s constantly in the lime light. I doubt anyone would have noticed and she might have quietly worked something out with Nickelodeon. Am I way off base with this? It just seems possibly like a bid for attention.

I was wondering about that too. Most celebrities would wait until people noticed and then let their publicists issue a statement, but for her to go to OK magazine and ''announce'' it, seemed a bit weird to me too. It almost comes off like she''s a bit proud of it... don''t know. Or maybe a bid for attention as you say? Maybe she wants to deflect attention away from her sister?

I also heard she had a pregnancy scare in July/August, but the pregnancy tests were negative. If she had such a scare in July, then why did she allow herself to actually get pregnant two months after? You would think she would make an extra special effort to protect herself to avoid being in that position again.

The National Enquirer reported that she was pregnant in July, and they were threatened with a lawsuit by the Spears camp. But NOW, TMZ is reporting that Jamie Lynn is probably further along than the 12 weeks reported, which means that the National Enquirer could have been right.

 

[rainbowtrout]

Publicity wise, it is a smart move because it is always better to control press than to let them find out, at least that is what I have head...

 

[Sparkster]

Date: 12/19/2007 4:18:47 PM
Author: LaurenThePartier

Date: 12/19/2007 4:12:13 PM
Author: CaptAubrey
It''s interesting that almost everyone (not just PS but elsewhere too) is fixating on the ''how could she be so dumb?'' angle instead of the ''19-year-old boyfriend'' angle. In California, that''s statutory rape. I''m waiting to see what the LA County DA''s office is going to do about this.

That''s exactly what I was going to bring up.

That, and the fact that they live together. Seems to be a strange thing to do at 16.

In response to comments ......

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22953875-5012974,00.html

 

[kellyfish]

If she is 16 and lives with her boyfriend--then there is a bigger issue here--what the hell are her parents thinking? I'm not nearly as surprised about the pregnancy than to hear that a child is cohabitating with her boyfriend (if that is the case). Lynne Spears was quoted in a recent interview as taking some of the blame for Britney's problems because she was not around most of the time while Britney was touring, etc in Britney's younger years. Who is parenting these kids then? Teen pregnancies are one thing, but teens need to have present parents every bit as much as a younger child....

 

[lumpkin]

Date: 12/19/2007 6:20:01 PM
Author: steph72276
Lumpkin, it was for money and lots of it....she is getting paid a million bucks for her story and photos after the birth.

Well, her mom profited off the two girls. Maybe she thinks this is just how things are....

 

[lumpkin]

Date: 12/19/2007 7:45:01 PM
Author: luckystar112

Date: 12/19/2007 7:32:54 PM
Author: Sha

Date: 12/19/2007 5:55:18 PM
Author: lumpkin
Weeeeeelllllll, why did she go and have a photoshoot with a borderline tabloid and go public with it in this way? I think it''s very odd. I can see having the publicist issue a statement, but honestly, did anything about this need to be so public? It''s not like she''s constantly in the lime light. I doubt anyone would have noticed and she might have quietly worked something out with Nickelodeon. Am I way off base with this? It just seems possibly like a bid for attention.

I was wondering about that too. Most celebrities would wait until people noticed and then let their publicists issue a statement, but for her to go to OK magazine and ''announce'' it, seemed a bit weird to me too. It almost comes off like she''s a bit proud of it... don''t know. Or maybe a bid for attention as you say? Maybe she wants to deflect attention away from her sister?

I also heard she had a pregnancy scare in July/August, but the pregnancy tests were negative. If she had such a scare in July, then why did she allow herself to actually get pregnant two months after? You would think she would make an extra special effort to protect herself to avoid being in that position again.

The National Enquirer reported that she was pregnant in July, and they were threatened with a lawsuit by the Spears camp. But NOW, TMZ is reporting that Jamie Lynn is probably further along than the 12 weeks reported, which means that the National Enquirer could have been right.

Kinda makes ya go, "Hmmmmm."

Rainbowtrout, I would agree with that except for the WAY it was done. It seemed a little too much like self promotion. But then again I''m not famous (thank GOD!) and I''m sure I don''t know any of the ins and outs of dealing with the press.

 

[surfgirl]

I OK announcement just made me feel sad. Like this kid learned well from her crazy sister. "Hey, I''m knocked up! Let''s make some money now!" The whole thing is the craziest thing in CrazyTown. Someone needs to look at the "16 year old living with 19 year old" aspect. So very bizarre. And sad.

 

[HollyS]

Date: 12/20/2007 11:39:25 AM
Author: surfgirl
I OK announcement just made me feel sad. Like this kid learned well from her crazy sister. ''Hey, I''m knocked up! Let''s make some money now!'' The whole thing is the craziest thing in CrazyTown. Someone needs to look at the ''16 year old living with 19 year old'' aspect. So very bizarre. And sad.

CrazyTown. Definitely.



And you know . . .

We''ve come a long way from the day in the early 50''s when Ingrid Bergman was publicly denounced BY OUR CONGRESS as being (if you read between the lines) the whore of Babylon for the affair that led to her unwed pregnancy. Never mind that she wasn''t even in the country at the time and was not exactly advertising her condition to the world. There was public outcry without any public flaunting on her part.

The times, they are a changing.

 

[bunniesoup]

Date: 12/19/2007 10:25:33 AM
Author: rainbowtrout
Culture doesn''t change just because you have money. I don''t know that much about the Spears, but I think they come from a background where this would be more than likely to happen.

Has it occured, to ANYONE, that she may have been using a condom and an accident occured, and, say, a pharmacist decided not to sell her Plan B, she didn''t know about it, or she was to ashamed to ask, being 16? I freely admit that its less likely than her being a teenage twit, but it is *possible.*


I assume the announcement means she has decided not to have an abortion or give up the baby for adoption, a brave if (IMO) immature decision which we''re not giving her credit for...I assume with her money she could have easily, parental consent or no consent.

Apparently Britney had advised Jaime Lynn to use birth control and she refused saying, "It''ll make me fat." Small price to pay really!

As for her being so young.. she''s only young compared to the norm. in todays society. Women are choosing to have children later in life (late 20''s and 30''s) because of factors like extended education and careers. In fact, many women are facing the issue of potentially not being able to have children precisely because they''re waiting too long. So they''re freezing their eggs for future use.. But anyway, I agree she seems a bit immature to be having a child but at least she does have the means to provide for the child. And I know money doesn''t equate to proper parenting but I defy anyone to claim they''ve been a perfect parent.

I hope only the best for her and her unborn child.

 

[surfgirl]

bunnie, not to beat a dead horse but there''s a big difference between women in their 20''s having children compared to an underage teenager having children...I dont think it''s the same thing at all.

 

[Mara]

Apparently Britney had advised Jaime Lynn to use birth control and she refused saying, "It''ll make me fat."

Yeah because you don''t gain any weight when pregnant right? DOH! Hmmm 2 lbs from BC vs 35 from baby. LOL.

 

[Mara]

TheSuperficial is reporting today that Casey Aldridge says that he and Jamie are over (screenshot of MySpace page 2 days ago shows that)...which coincides with what she said like a month ago re: them being broken up. Marvin the Martian as a daddy anyone??

 

[VegasAngel]

Date: 12/20/2007 1:03:01 PM
Author: Mara
Apparently Britney had advised Jaime Lynn to use birth control and she refused saying, ''It''ll make me fat.''

Yeah because you don''t gain any weight when pregnant right? DOH! Hmmm 2 lbs from BC vs 35 from baby. LOL.

Ha, Exactly.

There are so many options for birth control. Of course I dont know if she used another form of BC that failed (I dont buy that 99% of the time, though) Her mother is an enabler & Jaime should know better; didnt she learn anything from her sister?

 

[gailrmv]

If she really didn't want to use birth control because it would make her fat, what did she thinking getting pregnant would do to her body?
The whole family makes me really sad.

 

[autumngems]

I am totally disgusted with these young stars these days. First it''s the girl from High School Musical and nude pictures now this girl is pregnant. These are the shows that my young 9 year old watches. Yeah I want them as a role model, NOT.
There just isn''t any wholesome role models anymore, it''s all sex and drugs.

 

[Sha]

Date: 12/20/2007 12:25:08 PM
Author: bunniesoup

Date: 12/19/2007 10:25:33 AM
Author: rainbowtrout
Culture doesn''t change just because you have money. I don''t know that much about the Spears, but I think they come from a background where this would be more than likely to happen.

Has it occured, to ANYONE, that she may have been using a condom and an accident occured, and, say, a pharmacist decided not to sell her Plan B, she didn''t know about it, or she was to ashamed to ask, being 16? I freely admit that its less likely than her being a teenage twit, but it is *possible.*


I assume the announcement means she has decided not to have an abortion or give up the baby for adoption, a brave if (IMO) immature decision which we''re not giving her credit for...I assume with her money she could have easily, parental consent or no consent.

Apparently Britney had advised Jaime Lynn to use birth control and she refused saying, ''It''ll make me fat.'' Small price to pay really!

As for her being so young.. she''s only young compared to the norm. in todays society. Women are choosing to have children later in life (late 20''s and 30''s) because of factors like extended education and careers. In fact, many women are facing the issue of potentially not being able to have children precisely because they''re waiting too long. So they''re freezing their eggs for future use.. But anyway, I agree she seems a bit immature to be having a child but at least she does have the means to provide for the child. And I know money doesn''t equate to proper parenting but I defy anyone to claim they''ve been a perfect parent.

I hope only the best for her and her unborn child.

I think 16 years old is wayyyy too young to be having a child. How emotionally mature are you really, at 16? What do you know about life that you can pass on to your child? At 16, you still have so much more to learn... and there''s so much changing and growing left to do, especially from 16-25 years old.

Most 16 year olds are not ready to be parents. They''re at a stage in their lives where it''s about partying, fun, boys, dressing up etc - not raising a child. Where I''m from, a lot of young mothers leave the children with their grandmothers and go out partying with their friends. It''s hard to tell your peers, "No, I can''t go tonight, I have to look after the baby", when all of your age mates are going out and having fun. Parenting calls for a lot of sacrifice and responsibility and most 16 years old are not at that stage yet.

How many 16 year olds have a steady job - or even the education to get a good job with a comfortable income? It takes a lot of money to raise a child -and it usually ends up being the grandmother''s responsibility because the mother just can''t afford it. If she does get a job it''ll probably be a minimum wage job with little chance of moving up. It''s true that the Spears family has money - but this is really the exception rather than the rule. Most girls at her age would not be able to financially support a child.

And her boyfriend? Is he going to stick around for the long term? she''s only 16 and he''s only 19. They might not want to be tied down to each other at so young an age, and really they shouldn''t be. Hopefully, both parents will always be parents to their child, whether or not they''re together in the future. But I think it''s much better to make a commitment to one person then decide to have children, because it sets the stage for a more stable family life overall.

It just makes things harder all around to have a child at so young an age. She might be sending the message that ''it''s okay'' when it really isn''t, IMO.

 

[sunnyd]

Date: 12/18/2007 10:32:41 PM
Author: bebe
It really is sad. And her mom is writing a book on parenting!!

Too much, too fast.

yes her mother is writing a "how NOT to parent" book. or maybe it''s a "learn from my mistakes" parenting book. either of the 2 will work. ooh! or "turn your children into trainwrecks"