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jamie lynn spears
Jamie Lynn and cutie Maddie | Source: Palm Place
Remember Britney’s cute but controversy-riddled little sister, Jamie Lynn Spears? She was on All That and then had her own show, Zoey 101, until she got pregnant in 2007 when she was just 16–and then she pretty much disappeared from the face of the planet.
Well, Jamie Lynn is back. She’s 21 now; is the mom to a super cute little girl named Maddie; and is working on a new album in Nashville, Tennessee. In an interview in Glamour magazine, she talks about the pressures put on girls to be good role models and says that she was afraid of what people would think if she (as a Disney star!) asked to be put on birth control.
Did you love Zoey 101 as much as we did? | Source: jamie-spears.com
When she got pregnant, lots of parent groups freaked out and said she was “glamorizing” teen pregnancy–but in reality, she was just a scared 16-year-old girl, like a ton of girls in America who get pregnant every year. Being in the spotlight made it extra hard to deal, which is part of why she disappeared for all this time.
A while back, Gaby Rodriguez, a girl who went to high school in Washington state, pretended to be pregnant for a class project–and recently, Lifetime made a movie about her called “The Pregnancy Project.” Only her mom, her boyfriend, her best friend, her principal, and a few other key people knew that she was pretending to be pregnant to learn about stereotypes and perceptions.
What she learned, she told me, was that “when people think you’ve made a mistake, the way they see you completely changes–they look down on you, they think of course you failed, of course you screwed up.” When her classmates found out she’d been faking her pregnancy, many were angry, but they also saw just how unfairly they’d treated her when they thought she was expecting a baby.
Jamie Lynn's celebrating her 21st birthday! | Source: Glamour
I hope people learn the same lesson from Jamie Lynn Spears–girls who get pregnant generally know that they’ve made a mistake! I mean, they’re the ones who either have to go through with the pregnancy or make the difficult decision to have an abortion. It’s not up to us as a society to vilify them or make them feel like they’re unwanted.
What we should do instead, is recognize that although some girls do make the choice to stay virgins until they’re older, nearly half of all unmarried teens in America admit to having sex (and that doesn’t include the many girls and guys who are probably too shy to say they’re doing it!). Shame, finger pointing, and nasty tabloid headlines aren’t going to fix the problem of teen pregnancy–but good sex education, easy and shame-free access to birth control, and a whole lot of support and open discussion can make a major difference.
I love that Jamie Lynn is talking about her experience, and wish her all the best. Don’t you?
What do you think about Jamie Lynn’s recent interview? Do you think she deserves a fresh start? Tell us in the comments!
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jamie lynn spears
Oh. Geez, in the first pic I thought I was looking at Britney Spears! Then I saw the other pics and recognized Jamie =)
I am very happy for her that she’s doing so well although I do feel bad that she had to just.. disappear like that. Totally unfair and wrong.
I think all the judgement on teen pregnancy is harsh and cruel; sometimes, though I have to admit when I see a pregnant sixteen year old going all ga-ga about how wonderful it is to be pregnant I do get irritated, because they simply do NOT know what they are in for.
after my mom had my little sister a year ago, i don’t judge teen pregnancy so harshly anymore.
you see, frequently *i* am the one who babysits the little sister so my mom can work and make money for the household. i’m eighteen years old (i clearly look young enough to be in my teens but old enough to be well past puberty-in other words, “like a teen mom”) and even though she’s my sister and not my daughter, the scrutinizing looks and whispers under the breath i get when sis and i go out are really, really insulting. i shouldn’t have to explain to anyone that she’s my sister; even if she WAS my daughter i shouldn’t have to explain anything. people should just mind their own business.
I think Jamie is a NORMAL teen who screwed around and got pregnant. Just like the average 16 year old. The media thinks you have to be perfect and that’s why Jamie felt so much pressure on her and THAT’S UNFAIR!! SHE DEFINITELY DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE!!
I’ve always loved Jamie. She was a great actor. I had NO idea that she got pregnant. I even think I may do that project before I graduate. I mean, seriously it’s terrible how people are like, “Really you made that big of a mistake?” I would say, “Oh dear if you ever need to talk just talk to me!
”
This is a good article just one typo she was on nick but anyway it was still good and i loved zoey101
Teen Pregnancy is 100% preventable!!!! </3
not if your raped-a serious problem in todays society.
I don’t look down on Jamie. She is such a beautiful girl with a great carrer ahead of her!
My best friend is prego and she’s 16, I don’t see what the big deal is about it, people have no right to judge other people, especially when you don’t know their life. And c’mon everyone makes mistakes. But I simply believe everything happens for a reason. And I still watch Zoey 101 and can’t wait to here her singing
I do think she deserves a new start and Goodluck to her!! 
I got pregnant also at 16 and will be 22 on feb. 5 2012! I dont look down on Jamie at all!! i still watch zoey 101 lol never to old for her shows! i can relate to her in the 16 and pregnant part!
Happy Belated Birthday, Tianna Allen!