Parents, teens view teen pregnancy TV show

By Carla Hinton

Published: September 8, 2008

A popular cable television show is providing parents a way to connect with their teens about an uncomfortable topic : sex.

The recently debuted ABC Family channel's "The Secret Life of the American Teen- ager” tackles the sensitive issue of teen pregnancy.

Sharon Rodine, director of youth initiatives for the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy, said she had not seen the show but likes the idea of anything that promotes discussion.

"It's not so secret anymore,” Rodine said. "It's not a secret if adults would look around.”

Cathy Adams of Edmond said she and her daughter, Emily, 13, have watched the show since it premiered in July.

Adams, 52, said the weekly show's portrayal of pregnant high school freshman Amy Juergens (portrayed by Shailene Woodley), her family and friends allows her to "talk about different issues in a nonthreatening way” with her teen.

That's why the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy likes shows such as "The Secret Life,” Bill Albert, the organization's chief program officer, said during a telephone interview. Immediately after the show, a public-service announcement encourages parents to talk to their teens about sex and to go online to the national campaign's Web site.

"It creates an internal dialogue for teens, and sometimes that discussion spills out to their friends. It also provides parents with an opportunity to talk about something that's serious,” Albert said of the show.

Those "conversation starters” can evolve into "teachable moments” for parents, he said.

Adams' daughter, Emily, said she is comfortable watching "The Secret Life” with her mother, and she'll continue to watch as it heads to the season finale.

"It's nice to talk to her about it,” Emily said of her mother. "I like how it shows what could really happen, and it doesn't make it (teen pregnancy) seem fun.”

Meanwhile, metro resident Donna Powell said she watches the show with her two teen daughters.

"The subject came up in Sunday school, and a mom was pretty concerned with the subject matter. That alone inspired my husband and I to watch what the girls had taped,” Powell said.

She said she decided that the show has merit.

"Watching it with my girls allows me to have open, timely communication,” Powell said.

"I think you have to discuss things as you see them play out. You can't wait until your child is pregnant or running with the wrong crowd. The issues and peer pressure are what they are faced with each day at school.”

Albert expressed similar sentiments.

He said parents often try to shield their children from the subject of sex, but lack of discussion can result in teens being uneducated or misinformed about sexuality and related issues.

However, Albert said recent surveys asked teens who most influences their decisions about sex.

Many teens said that they consider their parents to have the most influence.

"It's an ongoing challenge — an ongoing discussion,” he said.

"The question on the table today is, are parents going to be part of the conversation?”

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