I wasn’t allowed to watch Three’s Company as a kid because my parents felt the portrayal of a single, horny man cohabitating with two single, horny women was abhorrent. Indecent. Inappropriate.

I railed against the absurdity of their decision. I raged at their naiveté about what I knew about the world around me.

“I’m nine years old! There’s nothing they could do on that show that I haven’t seen before. I know people smoke. I know people say bad words. Just let me watch it. Please?”

I have to laugh at that now, partly because it pains me to admit that my parents were completely right. The issues in play on Three’s Company – sex and promiscuity and all that comes with it – were out of bounds for a nine-year-old. Still are. My parents’ refusal was intended to let me be a kid as long as possible. A child who still carried a Fat Albert lunchbox to school had no business watching Chrissy Snow cavort around in a red bikini while Jack Tripper tried to summon the boner control to refrain from sporting wood on national television.

Fast-forward 30 years. I’m the parent now, which means I’m the judge of what is and is not acceptable for my own kids. Obviously, they’re not allowed to watch the modern day versions of Three’s Company – Desperate Housewives and shows of that provocative ilk – but now that there are cable stations expressly geared toward kids, they don’t really care about those grown-up shows anyway.

But...

One of the great and awful things about being a parent is that when you fuck up, you fuck up big-time. It’s not like, “Oops. I dropped your sippy cup on the floor and some apple juiced got on the rug. Have to clean that up.”

It’s more like, “Oops. I gave you free reign to watch Nickelodeon because I thought it was safe for kids and now the 16-year-old girl on one of the shows you like got pregnant.”

Now what?

Do we tell them? Do we expose them to the sort of grown-up issues that kept me from watching Three’s Company? Or do we hide it from them because they’re too young to know any of this yet? Too young to know why a 16-year-old girl should not be pregnant. Too young to know how a 16-year-old gets pregnant. Too young to comprehend anything more socially significant than that there isn’t really a giant sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea.

I have no idea.

Amended Friday morning because I wrote this part initially and then chickened out but Hot Wife said I should post it so here.

(WARNING! SOCIAL COMMENTARY AHEAD! If you’re one of the readers who gets upset when I talk about something other than poop and who likes to belittle those with opinions that differ from your own, kindly piss off.)

There was a report by the Associate Press yesterday that announced Nickelodeon was considering a special program on its air about teen pregnancy. I nearly puked.

Fact: teen pregnancy is real.

Fact: kids need to know what this girl did was stupid, irresponsible, and ruinous.

Fiction: that message should be delivered on a television show.

I’m naïve. I went to a state university. I’ve had a mental illness. But this is what I want.

I want Nickelodeon – a channel that markets itself toward children – to take a fucking stand.

I want them to announce that they have canceled this show, and I want them to say they did so because their audience is children and Ms. Spears’ behavior does not reflect the image they want those children to see.

I want them to say that parents who wish to speak to their children about this issue can log onto a website where they can find resources and strategies written by professionals.

In my view, that would be the decent thing to do.

I do NOT want this girl to be lambasted, nor do I want to see her mother publicly humiliated. Her daughter is not the only pregnant teenager in America.

I’ve strongly considered the alternate point of view – that this TV special should air because this issue needs to be raised to the kids and their parents in the same forum where the girl became famous. But I'm cynical, and I'm also a realist, and I know such a show would be more about whoring out for advertisers than about discussing the issues in an educational manner.

Besides, it's my job to educate my kids. It's their job to entertain them.

Am I burying my head in the sand by not addressing this with my kids? No. I'm not saying I'll NEVER address the issue. They know about strangers and touching in inappropriate places and telling a grown up. But that's what they need to know NOW. But for today, I'd like to let them enjoy their blissful ignorance.

Comments

It's never too young to recognize, and take advantage of, a learning opportunity. Your daughter may only be four years old, but this is as good a time as any to have a talk with her about teen pregnancy, contraception, and abortion.

Are you serious, BGBG? You missed the whole point of this post- keep your kids as they are, kids. No four year old has any business knowing what teen pregnancy, contraception and abortion are. Give me a break. Please.

I prefer to let the kids enjoy the reruns that will be showing and not mention the issue to them. The last thing I really want to explain to my eleven year old right now is sex ed. I look forward to your comments on the maternal, er...grand maternal Spears parenting book, lol.

BGBG, you can't hide behind the double letters. I know who you are. We are going to have your daughter over for a playdate and discuss this matter all together. Sound good?

Melissa, no worries. DGM and I run the show around here.

Thankfully, 3's Company was a primetime show-- aired in a time slot geared to adults. Spear's show "Zoey 101" is on a kids' NETWORK, for pete's sake, and is aired about a dozen times a day.

I don't think it's necessary to explain anything to the kids right now. My kids watch 5 years worth of reruns of "That's So Raven" and still haven't realized that the show was cancelled almost a year ago. They'll show reruns upon reruns of Zoey 101 just like they do now. The little baby mama will earn lots of residuals from her stint on the show, and we'll go on with our lives.

LIke someone else said, I'm certainly not ready to have "the talk" with my 7-year old!

One thing I will say; as a kid, I was *extremely* aware of the adults around me and their issues, or whatever. Had they delayed having "the talk" (why have one big scary talk? Why not give simple, age-approriate answers as the questions come up?) any longer than age four, I would have searched for, and found, whatever information I could get and read. Ignorance may be bliss, but a certain amount of knowledge of The Facts won't hurt.

Do I think that kids should have to know about all the intricacies of Miss Trailer Trash 2007? Hell no! Let em watch re-runs. And quick get the v-chip and block everything but The Donna reed show and Sponge Bob. (kidding. Mostly)

There will be no discussion of teen pregnancy here. I will boycot Nickelodeon in my own way if they don't pull the show, including reruns. There needs to be real consequences for her choices. She's 16! And I will NOT be attending the baby shower.

Answer the questions that the kids ask, in an age appropriate way. If you don't then it will seem taboo and exciting. Discuss with Hot Wife what the answers will be so that you present a united front, but don't hide the truth from them.

But that's just my opinion. From everything I've read here over the years you are awesome parents and will make the right choice for you and your kids.

P.S. What friggen Nick show has a pregnant 16 year old!?!?!

unless and until DGM and HW decide to have "the talk" with their kids (wait, did any of you get "the talk"? I certainly didn't!....sorry) the time to tell them is when they ask. Nick is talking about doing a "special" on teen pregnancy so do be on the lookout for that.

DGM is so right! We never thought we'd have to police what the kids are watching on a KIDS channel! What a world!

This is a catch 22. We want our kids to stay innocent and be kids for as long as possible but on the other hand I want them to have enough knowledge to know when something isn't right.

A lot of the kids our kids go to school with have older siblings & learn not so nice things from them or their own parents. Like when my daughter came home from school in the SECOND friggin' grade and told me her girlie area is called a 'taco.' She learned that from a boy in her class who picked it up from his 14yr old brother. Or last year when a first grade boy was raped in the bathroom at school by a fourth grader. If that first grade boy had a little bit of basic knowledge would he have tried to get away sooner?

Other people's kids that my kids are exposed to on a regular basis scare me more than trying to age appropiately field their questions about something they see on tv or a rag mag at the grocery store.

Your sweet 4-year-old does not need to know the background of the person who plays a character on a TV show. If she were old enough to have knowledge of the pregnancy independently, then I would have that conversation. 4 years old is too young to do that.

Our parents let us watch the Brady Bunch, of course not knowing that Greg and Mom were having an affair. We watched The Cosby Show when Lisa Bonet was having trouble and wound up eloping with Lenny Kravitz and having a baby. We watched All In The Family even with all the horrible racist things Archie said. We watched MASH, even though they were making moonshine, had a guy dressed like a lady, and had all sorts of sexual innuendo. None of this was ever "explained" to us as kids and we survived just fine.

It's sad when any 16 year old gets pregnant, no matter who she is or how famous she is. It happens every day. Just more proof that all the "abstenince only" BS they're teaching in our schools is a waste of time and money.

I posted before the amendment...CNN just announced that Nick is talking to Linda Ellerbee to host the special so at least they appear to be trying to get it right (wishy washy enough for ya?).

But I have to agree, they should pull the show and provide info, but can any specials. At the very least show or say nothing before 9pm...

I have a theory. I plan to use it in raising my 3 kids. Here it is: the longer you keep children protected from "adult" issues, the better prepared they will be to deal with them once they are confronted with them. For the record, I am not going to shelter my kids in amish country. I am simply going to let their biological brains grow and progress as nature intended; dealing with childish things and childish reasoning. Exposing children to information earlier than necessary does not do a child's brain any favors. A child brain is worse equipped to deal with information it is not prepared for than an adult brain that has been "sheltered" from it "for so long." Once your brain is grown up a little bit, it is perfectly prepared to deal with whatever it is that comes down the pike. A child whose brain has been assaulted with "adult" information in its early stages of development will be at a disadvantage when it comes to making responsible decisions at a later brain stage (teen years are especially susceptible to these decisions). Sometimes I wonder if the whole tv thing is worth it. I can't watch every show to be sure it's appropriate for my kids, so maybe I'll just skip it entirely. Of course, my oldest is 5, so we shall see how that plays out in the future. Good luck to all of us parents!!!

My mom sat me down when I was 5 or so - when the first of the difficult questions started to be asked - and had the all-the-details "talk" with me. She then did the same for each of my sisters, being sure to include us ALL in the conversation for a "refresher course." I knew all the proper names, what went where and how everything worked, when I was very young indeed.

My mom had been molested as a child and wanted to be sure that we knew the facts and knew what the difference between good touching and bad. I know that she was doing the best she knew to do.

But I know now that exposing children that young to that kind of detail, especially repeatedly, can cause what the professionals call "an atmosphere of seduction" - it makes the children behave as though THEY had been abused, even tho the abuse was a generation before.

I know that my experience was a little extreme - heck, my mother required the use of proper names for body parts and functions at all times: no euphemisms like "poop" or "butt" or "weiner" allowed!! But it made me determined to keep my children as innocent as possible for as long as possible. When they ask, I'll answer, but I won't sit down and give the Sex Ed 101 speech to someone whose sole involvement with the opposite gender consists of "ew."

The last episode had already been shot before this fiasco.
I think they are drawing more attention to it by making a special. Unless your kids read Paparazzi mags and tv shows they won't know anyway. I think the special would be run to "make up" for the fact it will still air the show anyway.
Will they pull the re-runs? Probably not. Can we shelter our kids forever? No. I say don't say anything and they will be none the wiser. Plus, years from now they will have a Three's Company moment like you did! ;)

Meanwhile, what did Nick expect by hiring a Spears girl. I'm not a name caller, and I've lived in more than my fair share of trailers, but trashy is trashy is trashy.

I hate to judge one by the rest or the family, but this just goes to show, before you hire someone to work on your CHILDRENS NETWORK!!! look at the *word deleted cause it's just too mean* of a big sister of hers, and think about how even that association might affect your network...

I agree with Hot Wife, they should pull the show and not air repeats ever. The show should never see the light of day again. I understand that there will always be 16 year olds getting pregnant, but I don't think we need them on tv for our children to see, even if the shows were from before they got pregnant. I know that my kids wont be watching the show ever again.

Nickelodeon has absolutely no business educating our children on teen pregnancy.

Bottom line, you two, is you know your children better than anyone else in the whole world, certainly better than the suits running what is probably the most popular television station in America (my kids, 17 and 15, still watch it sometimes - will Spongebob ever go off the air?). I think 4 is too young for this kind of stuff, but that's my opinion, and mine doesn't matter.

I am pretty sure almost all the shows on Nick are also on video tape. Maybe a break from "live" tv while they sort this mess out would be a good thing? Lord knows, there's enough Spongebob video to go around for another 20 years.

'Besides, it's my job to educate my kids. It's their job to entertain them.'

I can't agree with this statement more. I'm a single father of two children and absolutely hate people blaming everything on TV. If you don't want your children to emulate behavior they see on TV, then teach them better. We can't expect the networks to 'dumb down' all of their shows to make them acceptable for children. Its unrealistic and bad business. the fact is that the stuff we don't want our children to see is the stuff that adults want to watch.

Parents need to stand up for what is theirs and take some responsibility. Stop blaming everyone else, spend time with your children and teach them right from wrong.

I've never commented before, but this post & HW's comments have inspired me (is that the right word? nevermind...) I 100% agree with you and in fact, JUST YESTERDAY, banned my kids from Nickelodeon. I was not completely aware they were watching it until recently (bad mama, I know, I know) but when I found out, I was skeptical and told them I was not entirely comfortable with their programming and that I really needed to view the shows with them first. Then the latest bombshell happened. I don't have the time to watch every one of their shows, so I'm banning them ALL. There's more than enough on Disney that I have viewed and deemed okay, so they'll have to make do with that or play outside.

AMEN Danny!! You GO!! I had EXACTLY the same thought when I heard this news! I agree that this girl should not be lambasted and so forth. But 16 year old girls who make exceedingly bad decisions that wind up with them being pregnant do not get to have their own television show! I am sorry but that just isn't how it works. Or at least, how it should work! (Soapbox now free for whoever wants it ;)

I can't help but notice there's no mention of Spears' partner in all this. He's responsible, too-- in fact, of the two who tangoed, he's the legal adult. Yeah, Spears is the famous one and the one we're socialized to lambaste (or not, I hope!) but the lesson I'll be teaching my kid (who, I'll admit, is still in diapers at this point) is that it's irresponsible to forget the dad's responsible, too, and I bet DGM will agree.

A-FUCKIN-MEN. You're dead on Danny.

It's time we ALL started behaving more responsibly for the next generation. I'm sick and tired of TV shows, stars, sports players, and spoiled rich kids having the upper hand and undue influence on our kids. I'm by no means a prude, but I'd kind of like my 2 year old to be allowed to just be a kid before being bombarded with all the CRAP that's out there.

TV should entertain and inform. It's now just become a forum for any idiot to try and get their 15 minutes (i.e., reality shows). And the lessons they (TV shows) ARE "teaching" has more to do with avoiding the idea of consequences being attached to your actions, and growing up more quickly than your body or mind can grasp. I give you BRATZ dolls as Exhibit A.

I'm not expecting the TV to raise my child, but it might be nice to get a little help from them in attempting to set a good example. Enough already. Let parents do the parenting.

Well said through and through.

I know its not much of a response, but I'm trying to get out of the damned office ASAP, but wanted to let you know that as a father of three girls I whole heartedly agree with your perspectives on this one.

best, and happy holidays!
Chad

kenandbelly,

Of course you're right, but that's an entirely different conversation. With respect to who is responsible for the pregnancy and all of that, the dye is cast. That's the family's issue to deal with now.

My concern is for MY kids. And YOUR kids. I've felt for some time now that the attempts to prematurely "sexualize" little kids with Bratz dolls and the like is dangerous and, frankly, unconscionable. But this situation with the Spears kid (and her beau) is too far.

I really just want some large corporation to make a decision that's best for children -- profit margins and ratings be damned.

But we all know that's highly unlikely.

You know, I wasn't allowed to watch three's company either and i was older than you were. Then, my first home away from home was me and two guys...

anyway, mom tried to engage me in this the other day. You know what? I'm worse than they were. I don't even let my kids watch Zack and Cody or whatever it is. They've never seen zoey 101. I'm not judging you and your choices, just sayin.

Why do they need to know that she's preg? it's not on the show. How are they going to find out? Friends at school? I think it will blow over, but I do agree with your idea of Nick's solution. Totally. A show on teen preg? LAME! The kids who are old enough to get it, get it already and they aren't going to watch some after school special and suddenly know the right thing to do.

but how many times did mom talk to us about the birds and the bees? (did dad talk to you? I don't remember that) All plain truth and bare facts. That's it. That was enough.

I agree with the folks who said "tell the kids when they ask" (unless they wait to ask until they leave for college!).

xo.

ps - BGBG made me laugh out loud. LOUD! Hilar.

I respectfully disagree with, at least, the vehemence with which you suggest Nickelodeon shouldn't have any on-air response to the situation.

Ideally, if it's handled right, those parents that want to discuss it with their kids can do so with the aid of a sensitive, well-thought-out program talking about it in a way their kids can understand, while those like yourselves that don't can decline to watch. I refer you to the classic Sesame Street where Mr. Hooper died; that's what the medium is capable of when it's done right.

As for canceling the show, wouldn't that be more likely to provoke questions from the kids that watch the show, not more? Why should Ms. Spears' choice to be sexually active and have a baby also result in her being, essentially, fired from her job? I can't imagine you'd consider that appropriate consequences for an adult, even one on a kids' show... right?

I was 12 when I found out about SEX and believe me, my world came to an end!

I am there with you. They should either go with re-runs or replace the girl in the show with someone else and just move on!

The kids will learn about stuff like that in junior high sex ed.

Dismissed!

Peter: I welcome the opposing viewpoint. I recognize that you were only trying to provide a frame of reference, but can you see how the Mr. Hooper episode is so starkly different from this scenario? Death is a fact of life that kids could confront at any time. I lost a grandfather when I was five years old, and I'm certain that episode would have been helpful to me.

But teen pregnancy is not an inevitability like death; it's a bad choice.

Certainly an adult should not be fired from a job because she got pregnant -- but that's my point exactly. Ms. Spears is not an adult. She's a minor who works on a television show geared toward other minors. In my view, the only way they could leverage this scenario "educationally" is to shine the light on her and say, "Look what this idiot did. If you don't want to end up in this shitty predicament, keep it in your pants."

I don't think that's the right approach either.

I don't know.

We don't really watch Nick because I think most of its shows are not appropriate for my kids (6 and 3). So apparently I am with your parents and maybe one anal sphincter tighter.

My REAL question is what sort of sex education this girl got.

Was she an ABSTINENCE girl? I suspect so. If so...that's one more for the open and honest approach with kids.

Julie
Using My Words

Tell them to be like Helen and I. We have no kids of our own, but you would think those kids upstairs were ours. And I know the truth about Jack and Larry.

I actually agree to a point with BGBG.

I'm English, and here the age of consent is 16, so to me this isn't a big issue at all, it's relatively common in fact. Of course my kids will know about teen pregnancy and the like, it's not dirty, or taboo... it's life. It happens.

Should every teenage mother who made a mistake (or even chose to get pregnant) be shunned from society, hidden and shamed so our kids all get the impression that the world revolves around happily married couples and children with mummies and daddies with pretty flowers in the garden?

Maybe that's the ideal, maybe it's what you want for your kids, but I'm damn sure I want my kids to know what happens in the real world. I'm not going to flaunt sex ed in my child's face before they're either (a) extremely curious or (b) in junior school (that's age 7 here), but likewise I won't hide it either.

Yes, I worry for the Spears girl and every other teenage mother, it's not easy. I worry for their children, I doubt that's an easy position either. But given Zoey 101 seems to have finished filming, I'm not sure how exactly the kids are all supposed to find out anyway. If they do, so what? She's young, she's pregnant. It's her life.

I know it can be seen as a bad example, but I think it's an even worse example to show our kids that anyone who messes up gets treated in the way so many are advocating for Spears.

I suppose if I view it as a 14 year old getting pregnant I can understand your views a bit more, but even then I don't think the girl should be shunned or lose her ''career''.

As for Nickelodeon, I do think they're overstepping the mark a bit if they try to go into sex ed.

I realize the Sesame Street analogy is flawed; I was primarily using it as an example of how even awkward, sensitive material can be handled well in the context of a television show aimed at a young audience. Schedule it at a time when parents are more likely to be available to watch and discuss the show with their kids, not just another episode kids will come across on accident. Then you, as parents, maintain your right to choose not to watch, and maintain your children's innocence. Personally, I would rather see Nickelodeon make more resources available for parents who do choose to have that conversation.

As for the series itself, I would definitely be against continuing the series with an obviously pregnant actress, because that goes much farther toward forcing you as parents to have the discussion you don't want to, and that's absolutely your call to make that choice. That's not, as I understand it, the case here.

I realize that Ms. Spears is, unfortunately, a role model; I don't necessarily think that creates a greater punishment for bad choices. What if she wasn't famous? Would you expect the same consequences for a high-schooler that worked at a daycare provider? What about at Toys 'R' Us? Or a bookstore in the kids section? They work with, around or in jobs aimed toward kids, they're also minors, they're just not famous. I just don't see how the consequence of having her TV show pulled forevermore from the airwaves is connected to the act of being sexually active and getting pregnant. By all means, it's a bad (terrible) choice, but I do think the punishment should be connected to the offense.

All my above comments notwithstanding, the last thing I'd want to see is "The Zoey 101 Nickelodeon Special, co-sponsored by K-Y and Trojans!"

You know, personally, I don't give a shit if BGBG wants to have a teen pregnancy-learning themed party for her freaking TODDLER, but Nickelodeon should most certainly NOT be shoving this crap down our throats.

I have spoken with my children at a fairly young age about sex/etc., BUT that was MY CHOICE. I don't want some fucking network deciding that they will be teaching my kids on THEIR TIMETABLE.

I will boycott them forever if they even think about doing such a thing.

Wait, you mean there ISN'T really a giant sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea?

Next you'll be telling me there is no Santa Claus.

RIGHT ON. Let your kids be kids... for now.

MH
www.undomesticdiva.com

The thing to me that was most shocking about this was Nickelodeon's reaction. I expected them to be pissed and take a stance and cancel her show.

A TV station doesn't get to choose when you decide to tell your kids about these things. Especially when they are doing it to make money.

This is a tough one, Danny. I don't even know if a 4 and 6 year old are emotionally equipped to handle an issue like this. I'm sure you can simplify this down to an "early pregnancy bad, married and pregnant good" lesson, but you'll of course feel like your short changing them by not explaining a lot of the finer points such as how it can affect their education, prospects for employment, and even those around them. Due to a different set of circumstances, I have had to address teen pregnancy and sexual abuse (because that's what this amounts to) with my kids since they were 10 and 9, but only because I had to. I want them to be kids and enjoy being kids, without too much of the worry that we carry as adults. You're the parents, so it's gonna utlimately fall on you and Hot Wife to decide how to approach this one (of course). Keep it simple and keep hammering it in for the next couple of years until there mature enough to handle it on a deeper level, or go full steam and be prepared for lots and lots of questions and confused looks.

It's a TV show with actors getting paid to pretend to be someone they are not. No need to bother with the personal lives as long as you cancel your kids' subscription to Hello! magazine. We can't indulge in the cult of celebrity and then complain when we know too much about their personal lives. I'm pro-choice, but can't help but wonder about the many teen-age celebrities who have surely gotten pregnant, had an abortion, and so don't have to worry about public condemnation, at least in this area. This girl is being punished for getting caught. Some of the same people who are denouncing this poor famous product of a train wreck (her mom was shocked because she was always home by curfew!) are picketing Planned Parenthood offices every other weekend.

With such young children, I'd ignore it until they asked questions. Just a little older, though, and I'd pounce on it as a fabulous "see what can happen" learning situation. When my daughter was at soccer practice my son and I would walk the neighborhood by the field. His ten-year-old self wondered about all the girls around a low-income apartment complex pushing strollers with toddlers running alongside. You can bet I used that as a big shiny example of Consequences, and I did it without the help of a Nickelodeon special. Please, Linda Ellerbee, just say no.

I couldn't have said it better myself. I totally agree with you. Thank you for putting into words exactly how I feel about it.

OK, another European (i.e. German) chiming in ... I got the rap in kindergarten, as part of the 4- or 5-year-old curriculum (called "in the bathroom"), knew what the body parts were called, and that you keep them to yourself unless you want to end up being a mommy or a daddy yourself (meaning you couldn't play any more and had to go to work everyday and all that). Thus, in 7th grade, when certain "magazines" showed up during recess, the sensational thing was gone, and I already knew how to make sure nothing "bad" would happen to me. It didn't (and I didn't) until I was of age--something I chalk up to that constant education. Did I get "the talk" at home? Nyeah. A bit. But not really.

Anyway, here's my suggestion: Until she starts showing, redo some episodes, write her character out of the show, and shift the focus to one of the other characters. That'll keep questions from the minors contained, the show going, and at the same time, gives the parents time to tackle the topic.

But then, I'm European, and therefore probably always already without morals ...

I know you said you wanted the show cancelled (which it probably won't be). But if it continued on without Spears (which is how the season finale was written, i.e. that they could write her out easily) would you be satisfied with that option? Or if they did cancel the show would you let your kids still watch the reruns? I honestly don't think that Nick is going to let a pregnant actress keep acting because of parental backlash, but if they just took her out of the equation is the show less offensive? (spinoff, etc)

oh and I totally agree that the "teen pregnancy" special is a horrible idea

The younger Spears can just follow in her sister's footsteps and not parent. Why let a child get in the way of someone's fun, ey?

That's my fear - that thousands of girls will get the idea that having a baby is no burden whatsover - you can continue doing whatever it is you were doing before you had a child.

Should she be shunned for having a child? No. Should she personally have to care for the child she brought into the world? You'd better believe it. That's all she and her fans need for the lesson to be brought home, imo.

I agree TV should not glorify teenage pregnancy. Nor should we rely on TV to deliver such important messages to our children. Parents these days seem to rely on TV to teach their kids.

Thank you for this post, Danny. I agree with you 100%. We will boycott Nick if this ever airs. We've already banned several shows already, including the one who lives in a pineapple under the sea (so rude!).

Sure teen pregnancy happens, and it is a fact of life, though it doesn't have to be. Sure, my kids will find out about it one day. But we will discuss it with them when WE feel like the time is right, not when a TV network who feels like shoving the issue down our throats, and our children's throats is perfectly appropriate. As was already stated, a TV station will not choose when to discuss this issue - I will.

A kid's TV network has no place bringing issues like this up, especially since the shows are geared towards young children. My 6 and 8 year olds do not need to know about 16 year olds getting knocked up. It's bad enough they know about Britney shaving her head, and having her kids taken away from her.

Should she be shunned? No? But should she had a show dedicated to her pregnancy air on a kid's network? NO! I'm probably in the minority here, but I feel that if you've screwed up really bad you should be ashamed. If I had gotten pregnant out of wedlock I'd have been ashamed of myself.

Thank you again, for airing your opinion. And thanks to your wife for kicking you in the pants to post it. It needed to be said.

Thank you for this post, Danny. I agree with you 100%. We will boycott Nick if this ever airs. We've already banned several shows already, including the one who lives in a pineapple under the sea (so rude!).

Sure teen pregnancy happens, and it is a fact of life, though it doesn't have to be. Sure, my kids will find out about it one day. But we will discuss it with them when WE feel like the time is right, not when a TV network who feels like shoving the issue down our throats, and our children's throats is perfectly appropriate. As was already stated, a TV station will not choose when to discuss this issue - I will.

A kid's TV network has no place bringing issues like this up, especially since the shows are geared towards young children. My 6 and 8 year olds do not need to know about 16 year olds getting knocked up. It's bad enough they know about Britney shaving her head, and having her kids taken away from her.

Should she be shunned? No? But should she had a show dedicated to her pregnancy air on a kid's network? NO! I'm probably in the minority here, but I feel that if you've screwed up really bad you should be ashamed. If I had gotten pregnant out of wedlock I'd have been ashamed of myself.

Thank you again, for airing your opinion. And thanks to your wife for kicking you in the pants to post it. It needed to be said.

Biggest tantrum I ever had was when my parents told me I couldn't watch Three's Company anymore. I was about 9, just like DGM.

I think it was a secondary result of their once watching Soap after Three's Company one night after I went to sleep. They banned them both, and I was left with only Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley those nights.

We haven't censored anything yet, and our 6 year old has watched Zoey 101, probably after Spongebob, or because the schedule on these kids channels are so completely random - or by design of their marketing departments.

I don't think Nickelodeon should make a big deal of the pregnancy, or make an announcement, but I agree they should discontinue the show.

If I would have found out at age 5 that DJ Tanner from Full House (who I worshipped and pretended was MY big sister) was going to have a baby, I would have thought it was the coolest thing ever. Because I thought she was the coolest thing ever, and she could do no wrong. I don't think kids, I don't care whether they are 4 or 14, need to be told this girl's business. Tell your kids about sex when you think it's the right time, not in response to ONE girl's actions.

I think you are right. Nickelodeon should pull this show. I don't like the message young kids will receive if it continues to air. Do we really want to say it's okay to get pregnant as a teenager as long as responsibility for his/her actions is taken? That doesn't make sense. We need to prevent pregnancy, not encourage the potential for mistakes.

I am appalled at this family. Isn't one crazy, young mom enough? WTF is wrong with their mother?

I know it's her life and God bless her, I hope she has more on the ball then big sis, but seriously?

I don't watch the show. We don't do cable TV. My girls are 4 & 5, and they know about being pregnant, because I am pregnant, but I haven't told them how I got this way and they haven't asked.

I feel that the time for the talk is when they are a bit older. And, it should come from me, not some network trying to put a positive spin to save their asses.

Maybe, Nick should try passing out condoms at their next award show...you know, right after they give the award for the best burp, but before they slime some celebrity.

Whoa, there are two of us. Weird. -Tana (the 1st one)

A M E N

BTW, how can she continue her show when she'll be home caring for and nurturing her precious newborn? Oh, that's right, she'll foist it off on a nanny and be on her way.

"I want Nickelodeon – a channel that markets itself toward children – to take a fucking stand.

I want them to announce that they have canceled this show, and I want them to say they did so because their audience is children and Ms. Spears’ behavior does not reflect the image they want those children to see. "

Amen! I will be very disappointed if Nickelodeon does not take a strong stand on this issue.

The announcement of her pregnancy actually sparked a conversation for us with our kids ... slightly older than yours at 10, 9, and 8. Of course, when their father and I denounced the situation of her being pregnant, I wasn't prepared for my 8 yr old to ask, "But how did the baby get in there, anyway?" so perhaps I wasn't as prepared as a parent as I thought! :)

We happened to catch a re-run of Zoey 101, one of my kid's favorite shows, that same night. We watch television as a family almost all the time, so my husband used the opportunity to point out all the other cast and crew of the show, who will now most likely be out of work, as a result of her irresponsibility. We tried to explain to our children how (in our opinion) what she did was selfish, as it will effect so many other people.

I also don't want other kids to think it's cool (like an above commenter mentioned) becuase JLS is considered cool. Her life, as a celebrity, is not a typical, normal teen's life. She has the money and resources to hire nannies, she most likely has a private tutor and won't have to face public high school as an unwed teen, and she doesn't have to worry about a pregnancy compromising some minimum-wage-paying job.

Another thing I worry about --- she'll show up at a celebrity awards show this time next year, looking slim and beautiful and glamourous, with no baby in sight, and kids will assume life goes on as normal. At least that's what I worry.

Another concern for me (this is too long already, I know that, but I just keep rambling) is that everyone seems so disgusted by the fact she is pregnant --- no one seems at all appalled by the fact she is sexually active. Just that she got caught in a pregnancy. And while I agree that teaching abstinence doesn't seem to work, why is it that the only "good" option seems to be teaching "responsible sex"?

If we teach "it's not ok to have sex" then most people assume it will fall on deaf ears. So we should teach "it's ok to have sex as long as you use birth control"??

And what about the sexually active teens who are responsibly using birth control, but wind up pregnant anyway? (It happens to adults, I'm sure it happens to teens, as well.) Then, it's ok because you were responsible but not ok because you got pregnant anyway?

I'm not sure what the proper response is here .... unless it's a remote cabin in Montana and chastity belts for my daughters (which I think my husband has considered.) :)

Thanks for shedding light, and opening up a discussion on the topic. I think the one thing we can all agree on is that none of us are happy about the entire thing.

I think you may be a tad overreacting - like everyone in America.
I wonder : had she been 18 and pregnant, but not married, would you have the same reaction?
Is this about her being a minor? Is this about her having premarital sex? Or is this just about her sister?

About the premarital sex : newsflash : I'm sure MOST of the adults in the TV shows kids watch aren't married, or divorced or whatever in real life, having sex anyway. Is that moral? No. Do kids care what people are like in real life? No.
When I was a kid I didn't know anything about the actors in the shows I liked. I didn't even know their names.
By the time I was old enough to care about that sort of thing, my parents had already given me "the talk" and I knew right from wrong.

What are you going to do next? A girl in my church ended up in a similar situation. Some kids walked up to their parents and asked them why that girl had a baby and who the daddy was and why she wasn't married. Is that a reason to stop going to church?
Imagine you work in a place where a teen part-times. She gets pregnant. Your kid sees that and asks questions. Do you fire the teen? Do you quit your job?

There is already another season of Zoey 101 in the can - and there's not a chance Nick won't show it. It all boils down to money for the network. DGM and HotWife, no way do your 6 and 4 year old kids need to hear about this kid being pregnant. IMO, the show should be cancelled or the girl fired. She's a role model, whether she wants to be or not. I kept the whole Vanessa Hudgens scandal from my kids. However, I felt strongly that I needed to speak to my 11 year old the morning that the JLS mess was all over the Today Show. I explained that she had made a bad choice and a big mistake, that having sex was not something a 16 year old girl should be doing. Sure enough, when she came home from middle school that afternoon, the whole school had been buzzing about JLS. I'm glad she heard it from me.

Both Britney and her sister are the products of very bad parenting. Those "adults" totally cash-cowed otu Britney before she had barely hit puberty. Nobody looked out for her, nobody protected her. Sounds now like the same thing is happening to her little sis. I think it's sad. I think it is mean to call her trailer trash... she made mistakes, sure -- but she's certainly not the first 16 year old to have sex and/or get pregnant. She's just a kid... forced to grow up way faster than she should have to.

I'm pretty sure she and the father have been involved for about 2 years, however, and that's a lot more than I can say about mots 16 year old pregnant teens. I find it disgusting that everybody (Nickelodeon, her parents, etc) seems to be using this as a big PR stunt... forgetting that there are three human lives at stake.

I agree with you that Nick should just STFU about it. Leave the parenting to the parents, not the network executives and money-grubbing ad salespeople.

Even though I loathe "Zoey 101," I would hate to see the show cancelled and the cast's and crew's jobs lost just because of one person's actions. Rather, I'd like to see the network replace Jamie Lynn Spears with another actress and let JLS work out her issues privately. I do not want Nickelodeon to air a "very special" show dealing with teen pregnancy. I'm in charge of sex education where my child is concerned.

Im totally with you.

I have been kicking myself for allowing Nickolodeon to be an "allowed" channel. I sort of trusted, naively, that they would keep their marketing to kids, at a kids level. silly me.

No one can blaim Nick that JLS got knocked up, but how they handle it is up to them.

Take the show off the air. period. They dont need to give any explanation to their young viewers, as shows are cancelled all the time.

The WORST thing, would be to have some show on teen pregnancy. First, because Im guessing their viewers are not TEENS, but elementary aged kids, and they dont need to go into all of THAT at this point in life.

Amen, brother.

Amen.

I'm a 23 year old who just graduated and has no kids. However I have heard the news of a pregnant JLS and what to do with her. I don't think Nick should run that special, and I think the show should be cancelled only because the pregnancy can't be written into the show in any reasonable way. It comes down to the fact kids don't need to know that too early. Kids need to be kids. They don't need to know the intricacies of pregnancy...and how is Zoey supposed to raise a child in a boarding school? Regardless of what I think of her actions in real life, or what a 16yr old mom will do, I don't think kids need to learn how that happened until they reach an older age.

I am with you on this one. Cancel the show. I limit my kids TV with the same furor that my parents did. I distinctly remember my parents not letting me watch Three's Company, Dirty Dancing and anything with Eddie Murphy in it (not that I didn't sneak over to the neighbor's house and try). But yes, my parents had my best interests at heart and were right to do it. And the network would be responsible to make a stand too.

The rational part of me says: Little Ms. Spears has done something that will have life long ramifications for her. I think there should be consequences, such as no more TV show. And no more re-runs. And no, I don't want to have to explain sex to my daughter before I think she's ready for it, so I would try as hard as possilbe to make sure any show content that she sees would be as innocent as she is.
The emotional side of me says: And I can't believe her boyfriend is 19 - HELLO?? How long have they been going out? And how long have they been having sex? And why is his dick still attached? Cuz my daddy sure would have altered any young man's anatomy that resulted in me being pregnant when I was 16! Does she not realize that young girls look up to her, and what the heck was she thinking? And now I've heard they're thinking of getting married! MARRIED at 16!!! WTF?

Guess what? Our kids don't watch TV, so they don't know who she is. We only let them watch DVDs, pre-screened, so that we know what our kids are seeing before they see it. I'd never put my trust in the media to deliver content that fits into our specific definition of what is "appropriate". If my kids are going to learn about these things, I want them to learn about them in real life, with guidance from me and their mom. That way it isn't glamorized in any way, and if they do see it on TV, they know where to stand.

Wow, America. I knew you were conservative but I have to say, keeping in mind that as an Aussie I haven't been privy to the media coverage surrounding this matter, at what point did being a teen TV star ever equate to providing a moral compass for an entire generation?

She's 16, she's done something stupid and now she probably wishes she'd had better access to sex education and contraception. It happens every day.

What gives you all the right to pass moral judgment and decide her punishment; doesn't this reek just a little bit of 1950's era conservatism?

She got pregnant by doing what teenagers do. It's a shame she didn't have the courage to insist on putting her sexual health first; but it's not like she's been snapped out on the town without her panties or recorded a homemade porn movie...

Parents of daughters, you should be wary of perpetuating societies appropriation of the female body. Put your daughter in Jamie Lynn's shoes - would you want the entire world to metaphorically stone her to death for a perceived breach of a moral code which has historically been defined by male power brokers such as holy men and wealthy feudal lords?

I'm just saying...

She's a kid. She's in trouble. She'll need all the support she can get. If you're concerned about the effect of her behaviour on your own children then you should probably worry more about your own role in their lives. If TV is a surrogate parent to your kids, then what Jaimee Lynn Spears does in her personal life is the least of their problems.

So no one commenting here ever had sex at the age of 16? Wow, Im impressed. I know I certainly had sex at 16 as did many of my friends. Could any of us gottne pregnant at any time in our lives once we became sexually active? You betcha. I had plenty of sex ed and knew all about contraceptives from my parents, my school, and teen magazines. But, hello, broken or slipped condom anyone? Missed a birth control pill or two? Took some antibiotics or got sick or drank too much or did a few drugs? ALL of those things can lead to an "oops" pregnancy as Im sure at least ONE of you has experienced as an adult! The reality is, if you are having sex you can get pregnant and 16 year olds have sex all the time. It is not something new. I dont see why her starring in a kids show makes her any different than any other person who had a birth control mishap. Sheesh.

As for Nickelodeon, if the show is done filming, that pretty much settles it, doesnt it. Why pull the reruns? She wasnt pregnant at age 12. And a teen pregnancy special is just dumb, imo. The kids are all gonna find out about her pregnancy at school and can ask mom and dad questions. Boycotting Nickelodeon makes no sense, either. You cant cast someone and say, "Well, she might get pregnant while still a teen, better think twice." If thats how it went, kids would not be on tv or movies ever. Again, she is simply a person who experienced a failure of birth control. Happens all the time every day whether you are 16, 25, or 42. If you can tell me that you never had sex as a teen, you can rant and rave all you want. Otherwise, it couldve been you.

The true victim here is Lynne Spears. I understand her parenting book was shelved. HAD THE PUBLISHERS HEARD OF BRITNEY? man o manichewitz.....

That is a tough one. On one hand I want them to pull her show just to send a message to kids. On the other hand I have a 17 year old daughter and I will not pass judgement on her or her parents when the same thing could happen to my daughter.
Kids the age of yours need to only know the basics....moms can have babies and they carry them around in their stomachs for 9 months. Period. She did just get caught doing the same thing a lot of teens do, but she is a public figure and makes her living from the public.
A truck driver can drive 80 because it's cool and everyone else is doing it but if he gets caught and gets a ticket he will lose his job...

Alright, Foster, since I did not have sex as a teen, I guess I get to state my opinion?

Not all teen agers are out there having sex and I really resent when people say, "Well, it's not like they were robbing banks..they just got pregnant." Is having sex a crime? No...and even in this case with a 16 year old and a 19 year old, in her state, it is not. The point is, we should be teaching our children about self respect AS well AS consequences and personal responsibility. This nation and many others have down played sex as nothing more than a little bit of recreation as if they were just going out for a round of tennis when in fact it should be taken very seriously.

"But teens get curious." Yes, they sure do. That doesn't mean allowing them to explore everything they are curious about so freely is a wise idea.

I totally agree with DGM and Hot Wife.

I also seriously doubt that Miss Spears was taught abstinence considering that she had a LIVE IN boyfriend. A 16 year old should not be having a live in boyfriend. Period.

Funny how your parents refused to let you watch Three's Company to protect you and yet here you are throwing around the "F" word. A little hypocritical don't you think??

What a great post Danny!! I'm glad you posted the last part because I'm inclined to agree with you. It shouldn't be written into a show or a "special" out of...it should be separated from children and and put in a league of its own. Hopefully they will make the smart choice.

Wait, exactly HOW is using the "F-word" on a site geared towards adults hypocritical when considered with regard to the TV shows DGM's parents let him watch when he was 7?

Worst. Logic. Ever.

My kids watch that show (yuk). Nick will not cancel it - it is wildly popular and makes too much money. Whether or not a star got pregnant off set should not affect the show - it really has nothing to do with it. All of the behind the scenes nonsense of the Partridge Family or that show with "The Drummonds" (can't recall the name) where most of the child stars went to jail did not come out until later.

There is a lot of hubub about Ms. Spears. She is an easy, easy, target for poking of fun and ridicule. It is too bad that it will probably trash her career - she is really pretty talented. Hopefully she can escape some of the torment that her sister has gone through.

Nick should leave the "specials" and politics to Discovery and CNN. It should be kids stuff 24/7. Just like when 9/11 was on every station it was nice to have nick pumpin' out the Spongebob where we did not have to worry about "scary" pictures of burning buildings, etc.

We generally answer the "questions" on an "as asked" basis. I have found that any questions that a 6 year old boy or 11 year old girl asks require a very general answer to be satisfactory. This way there is no "big" talk that will have to happen - it is an evolution.

I wish it were an option to just not tell my kids about JL's pregnancy, but it's going to be all over the tabloids from now until my hair all turns gray. Am I the only one whose kids catch every magazine cover with a celebrity on it that they're familiar with? Yeah, taking my kids to the grocery store is something I'd generally like to avoid anyway, but that's not always practical. I just hate that my budding readers are going to be slapped in the face with this information every time we're in the check out line.

Do any of you have middle school children? We moved to this area because they have the best schools in the state, my youngest daughters school sits in the middle of a very, very expensive housing development and my oldest daughter who is 12 attends a school only 2 miles from home. I thought we were doing everything right, but my 12 y o knows more about boys, sex, drugs than I ever thought of at 12 and it all came from school. I think it's ridiculous to think about sitting a 4 or 5 year old down and talking about sex, but a 12 y o is different. She learns from her friends and it is obvious her friends parents are not as conservative as we are. This year she had "Family Life" in school with the topic being boys, boy parts, how those damn part work etc. I knew nothing about sex at 12 now they teach it. I didn't feel that opting out was appropriate since all of her friends were taking it and they would have talked to her anyway. She told me one day that an 8th grade girl had been kicked out of school for being pregnant - WHAT???? My 7 y o is still very, very innocent. I want to keep it that way and I don't want Nick airing any special about teenage pregnancy. What I want is for them to stand up and say "We are disgusted and we are cancelling this show", but that's not going to happen. JLS put herself in the position of being an idol for kids just like Miley Cyrus and Hillary Duff - if you take on that responsibility then you owe it to your followers to not turn up pregnant at 16 seeing as how your followers are impressive young children. The thought of Lynn Spears writing a parenting book is enough to make me howl with laughter - whose assinine idea was that???????

I was sent over here by one of the best blog writers that I know Christi ...I found her on CB and loved the way that she put the truth out there if anyone liked it or not ...she so ROCKS
I have never signed her blog but I go there and read every single day and usally get such belly laughs from her writings
Why am I writing today ...I am one that is appaled by Lil Wee 16 Year Old Spears being pregnate ...you have to understand my husband and I had tried for years it ended up being me I had to have a personal surgery that made sure I wouldnt get pregnate ...I am furious all my life I wanted a child ...I knew I could be a good Mommy and I always help with my friends children ....my husband and I have been foster parents and we took in my 16 year old nephew for a lil over 10 months ...all the while I watch young children getting pregnate ...it hits hard in the stomic when Im not able to have children
The Spears Family welp lets just say they make a spectacal of themselfs and truly need help in a big way ....
It sucks that tweenagers are so carless and dont think what they are and have a innocent baby that they have no idea to care for (Most cases)
Heres my 2 cents
Racquell
(Pita)

Amen.

Totally agree.

Said a gazillion times better than I ever could.

Sometimes reading the comments is even more fun than reading the post...

I clicked on the comments because I wanted to say that I am heartened to hear that there are parents out there monitoring what their kids watch on tv.

I agree that parents, not television networks, should decide when to discuss sex with their children. I disagree, though, with the notion that if you are not talking with your kids about situations that are being broadcast everywhere that you can maintain said children's innocence.

I guess I am not even sure what that innocence looks like or would look like for kids these days. The world we grew up in has changed. My parents didn't even allow me to watch Laverne and Shirley because two young women living alone were not appropriate role models.

More important than banning shows, though, was the explanation, when it finally came. Eventually, my mother, who never wanted to have the talk with any of us, realized that real life role models were more important than anything we saw on tv. Discussing what was going on around us was more instructive than pretending that the world was not going on around us.

Does that mean that anyone with kids watching the show should run out and discuss this with their kids? No, of course not... once again, the topic should be addressed if kids ask, when it is appropriate and in age appropriate words.

There are so many issues here... when and how long to watch tv, how to teach children to deal with marketing, giving your children appropriate defenses while still maintaining childhood if not innocence, and putting the "entertainment world" in its appropriate place in our real world, that is to say to recognize that it is make believe and doesn't have to dictate how we do anything in our lives.

Thanks for the post...I love to see this kind of constructive discussion and sharing of ideas!

All the talk about how kids learn things from their peers at school makes me that much more grateful for homeschooling, lol.

I know that my kids can't be innocent forever, but I like knowing that I can control what they hear and learn about longer than I could if they were in school.

We, like many other who posted, don't allow our kids to watch most tv programs. Everything they watch is on tivo so they don't even see the commercials, some of which I think are inappropriate. My kids mainly watch Mystery Hunters, Magic School Bus, and movies that we have screened beforehand. I think that keeping a close eye on what kids watch really helps avoiding those issues that kids aren't ready for yet (not that anyone could have forseen this particular situation).

I got pregnant with my son at 16 too but even I agree with you. I don't think that Zoey 101 needs to or should tackle this issue.

No matter how they attempt to portray the situation, the way that show is - it is going to in some way glorify JL's actions.

I believe information about this subject needs to be presented by parents where the parents have the opportunity to state right off that they don't approve of premarital sex or at least that they don't approve of teenagers having sex. It will have a heavier more effective message coming from the parent than from a television show.

The few words of my grandmother ring my in ears to this day. I often wonder how my life might be different if my parents had taken more time to have conversations with me.

I've had many friends tell me that their parents words echoed in their heads for years and it was what kept them safe growing up. Now I take that to heart and talk to my children as much as possible. I don't look forward to some of the more touchy subjects (no pun intended) but now I know how important those conversations are.

It's very unfortunate that alot of kids still learn about stuff like this from any resource other than their parents who are either too ignorant to address it, or just too stupid to care.
I totally agree with you though, I don't think this is the type of subject that a kids channel should take on.
And NO a 4 year old has NO NEED to learn about teen pregnancy, abortion, etc... good god. lol

Times are changing, TV shows are changing, lunch boxes are changing, kids are getting smarter. I don't see why children need to go to school for the same length of time that we went to school, technology is there to help increase the education beatings. I say, cram the kids of knowledge in about 3/4th the amount of time, which means they would graduate high school in the same time it would have taken us to get through 9th grade, which makes them 14, then the have a high school diploma, the option to go to college, or have kids. I don't see the need anymore for school to take up that much of their time. I mean who really needs to learn ALL the things we learned in school when all that information is forgotten but readily available on the internet. If that would be in play today, Mr. Spears would be socially accepted to have kids when she was 16. I mean when he body is able to get pregnant, why is it bad for her to get pregnant?

Amen Brutha! Best post I've ever read here. I couldn't agree more.

No way in hell my girls are watching such a special on Nick! Its my job to teach them about such things. Will it be fun- no probably not. But none the less its my JOB as their mom. I don't see why a 16 yo Nick Star would be so openly discussing her pregnancy to begin with.
I think its more of a cover their ass publicity stunt anyway- which makes me angry.

Merry Christmas!

A-fucking-men.

WOW I AM NUMBER 90,,, does it not just suck when it is us who are the parents and have to deal with other peoples stupidness and try and be the "loving/nice/fun"parent and WE HAVE TO SAY NO!!!!!!!! I am a mother of daughters in range from 28 to 16. I will tell you that THESE THINGS WERE NOT IN THEBOOK OF PARENTING THAT I WAS GIVEN.... I agree and am glad to read this.

my 8 year old step son loves Nick..and loves Zoey 101. We aren't saying anything to him about her pregnancy but I know he'll see a magazine cover at the store and it's bound to come up. He asked what puberty was the other day...he heard that on Naked Brothers Band.. I don't think any sex talks are necessary under 10 years old...now pop culture is forcing our hand..

I did not read all 91 of the previous messages, but did anyone mention that the entire 4th (and already planned!) final season of Zoey 101 has been filmed?

So the show is going off the air after this upcoming season and obviously her pregnancy will not affect shooting as it is already done!

I do not think Nick. should run the special - they should just let her fade away. This will all blow over and I would guess they will not be renewing her contract for any other Nick. shows.

I think they should pull the show and not say anything.
They're not in the After-School special business and they'll likely try to spin her pregnancy in a positive way.

My kid is only allowed to watch cartoon characters anyways.
When was the last time a cartoon character was pregnant?

Maybe I should check PerezHilton first...

(BTW- Hope you and your family had a good Christmas)

I couldn't agree more with your social commentary. My boys are 4 and 2, and I don't want them learning about teen pregnancy from television.

Alright I realize we've been around and around on this already..but here goes anyway:

You're all fucking crazy. Stick your heads in the sand some more and shun 16 year olds for irresponsible sex. Oh, wait...it's the 16 year old GIRL we're shunning. Nice message asshats.

So you're fine with Bratz commercials because HEY, that's just subliminal. Yet when they offer to tackle the subject with discretion and age appropriateness you get all up in arms? What the hell? If the sex is there already, subliminal or otherwise, why are you letting them watch Nick NOW?

And what, exactly, is a 6-year old doing watching that anyway? I mean...last I checked her character wasn't knocked up and talking about this. And if Nick addresses it, turn it the hell off if you don't want them to see it.

I applaud Nick for at least trying here. Will they get it right? I have no idea. And as a parent it's your duty to prescreen or shut it off if you don't like it. Do I think they should air or not air a special? I'm not sure. Depends on how, when, etc. Again, at least they are *thinking* about how to deal with it. You just want it swept under the rug instead of having a *gasp* talk with your kids. Be a parent, teach them things in an age appropriate manner or don't let them watch tv or go outside or see the world, period.

Your job is to guide and protect, and the last I checked sex wasn't something anyone needed protection from, just education ON. It's not evil and it's not bad and it's not WRONG.

BTW, you can't fire a woman for being pregnant, it's against the law.

My kids are 4.5 and 2.5 and there is no mystery about babies or sex and they are STILL KIDS.

You people need to get the stick out of your asses.

I'll keep my stick firmly in my ass thanks anyway. I like it there. I am also the mother of an 18 year old daughter that has been taught no sex unless you're ready to have a baby, because sex can and does lead to a baby. She also knows that no birth control is full proof.
The same also applies to my 16 year old son, I tell him exactly the same. He is just as responsible.

I don't think a 2.5 year old should know about sex and babies already. I mean the baby is in the belly yes but sex and all? WOW holy shit, talk about early sexualization. How do you age appropriate that one?

BTW: She's a 16 year old child, not a woman.

Okay, I probably should just keep my thoughts to myself, but I'm having trouble sitting on my hands.

I'm a trained sex educator, specifically for junior and senior high kids. I teach sex ed at my church. My kids, now 10 and 8, have taken sex ed classes at my church. My 10-year-old knows more than the 8-year-old because she's taken both the K-2 level and the 4-6th grade level classes. Both kids know what pregnancy is, how it happens, and that sex is a very special, adult expression of love. My daughter also knows that there are ways to prevent pregnancy, the most effective of which is not having intercourse.

That being said, my kids are most definitely kids. She's not boy-crazy; he is firmly in the "girls are gross" stage. They also go to an urban public school, so they hear a few things that make me cringe.

And yeah, they watch Zoe 101. I often watch it with them. It's a cute-enough show.

And last week, my daughter mentioned JLS's pregnancy. We talked about it. She assumed that the show would disappear because Nick is a kids' network. I'm not privvy to Ms. Spears' contract with Nick, so I don't know.

But here's where I get a little baffled by the responses here. What the hell are your little preschool kids doing watching this show? It's geared toward tweens, even teens. The situations are not relevant to the lives of preschoolers or even young elementary kids. So where I totally get that you don't want your four-year-old watching shows about teen pregnancy, I also wonder why they're watching shows that possibly could be about teen pregnancy. Or about teenagers at all. Doesn't Nick have more age-appropriate shows for younger viewers? Because I welcome the opportunity to watch a special program about teen pregnancy with my adolescent daughter. It's a great opportunity to open those lines of communication. Teen pregnancy is an issue she's likely to encounter in her peer group (hopefully not personally, though!), and I'd like to have as many chances as possible to get my message through: having intercourse can lead to pregnancy, period. We live in the inner city. Girls get knocked up. Heck, it's possible she could see it at her school now, with how, er, developed some of those sixth grade girls are these days.

Darn hormones in the milk.

I couldn't resist. I posted on this. Probably ruining my playdate chances with jot wife

http://queenofspainblog.com/2007/12/26/mom-gone-mad/

It would be grossly negligent to allow a television network teach our children about sex or teen pregnancy. This would benefit only the network and their advertisers as you pointed out. The fact that some feel it would be beneficial shows how far society in general has sunk and or how they view their role as instructors of their children. Mine have received gradual and age appropriate instruction in clear and frank manner with the option to ask any question they might come up with, be it something they have thought of themselves or something they may have heard of at school, which gives us a chance to give them correct information.

The simple truth is that children learn about sex younger than most of you think. My daughter is 8 and her step sisters filled her in on the basics a few years back. While I was not too happy about it, it happened and has been good because it has helped establish open communication about these issues and others in our house. If she has a question, she knows she can come to me for the correct information. We need to arm our kids with as much CORRECT information as we can so that they are educated to make the right choices and not to learn false information from their friends.

Really, you haven't discussed sex with your 11 year old lela? Let me tell you that there are kids as young as 12 who are having sex and getting pregnant. In jr. high even I knew people who were in 6th and 7th grade having sex. Yes, we all want to think, not my kid, but it does happen and younger than any of us like. We cant hide our head in a hole and refuse to accept that things happen and they happen at a younger age than before. Educate the kids because the schools sure won't.