Television Review: The Secret Life of the American Teenager
What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that this drama from the creator of
7th Heaven
centers on a 15-year-old's unexpected pregnancy. It
addresses the various ways that teens think about and cope with
pregnancy, promiscuity, and abstinence from a relatively
upper-middle class point of view. Although the themes can be
controversial, the heartfelt way the topics are introduced
provides a good foundation for discussing them with teens and
even older tweens. Expect some mild language (words like "laid"
are used to describe sex) and specific references to
Christianity and the bible.
Families can talk about the pressures teens face when it comes
to having sex. Is it easy to "just say no"? Aside from
pregnancy, what are some of the other consequences teens face
when they choose to engage in sexual activity? What are some of
the consequences they face when they choose not to? Families
can also discuss the messages that the media sends about sex
and sexual behavior. How do TV shows and movies tend to portray
pregnant and/or sexually active teens? Are these portrayals
realistic? To learn more about the impact of sexual messages in
the media,
click here.
THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER explores the choices that today's teens are making about sex and touches on some of the very real consequences of their decisions. The series centers on 15-year-old Amy (Shailene Woodley), who gets pregnant after losing her virginity at summer band camp to Ricky (Daren Kagasoff), a promiscuous teen with a troubled past. As Amy struggles to cope with her situation, she embarks on a relationship with good-guy Ben (Kenny Bauman). Meanwhile, Grace (Megan Park) -- a popular cheerleader and vocal Christian -- faces various challenges connected to her commitment to abstinence ... which becomes particularly tricky when girls like the more worldly Adrian (Francis Raisa) are willing and able to do a lot more. Ultimately, Amy's pregnancy impacts everyone in ways they never saw coming.
Secret Life introduces various points of view about teenage sexual behavior by showing how different (albeit still fairly stereotypical) teens develop their own thoughts and feelings about sex, relationships, and growing up. It also looks at how the choices they make impact not just them, but everyone around them. The fact that this family drama introduces its various (and often controversial) storylines from an upper-middle class perspective means that viewers don't get much of the real-world grittiness you might expect when dealing with these issues. While that's not exactly realistic, it does mean that the show's themes are presented in a relatively wholesome, heartfelt context that's both entertaining and non-threatening.
That said, despite good performances by notable actors like Molly Ringwald and John Schneider, the show's dialogue often seems over-manufactured with its constant references to sex. There are also some moments that feel a little didactic, especially when parents and mentors offer contrived thoughts and advice about teens and premarital sex. But Secret Life does a good job of highlighting the pressure that many of today's teens experience while living in a society that seems to glorify sexual behavior. It also provides a good foundation that parents can use to start and/or continue conversations with teens about sex and pregnancy. Although the subject matter isn't age-appropriate for young kids, parents may want to watch with older tweens who are preparing to enter junior or senior high school and talk to them about some of these issues.
7th HeavenEverwood
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