Secret
Life of the American Teenager - Season One
Network: ABC Family
Format: Television
Show
Genre: Realistic/Fiction
This show is for Ages:
13 up
Subjects/Themes: Sex,
Parenting Identity
Plot Summary: Amy Juergens, a 15-year-old band member, is
pregnant as a result of her first sexual encounter with an older boy, Ricky, at
summer band camp. Amy, her family and
friends must come to terms with her pregnancy.
She is faced with the difficult decision of choosing adoption, abortion
or raising the baby. Her parents are
separating because of her father’s infidelity.
Other high school characters in the show struggle with complicated
issues including promiscuity, sexual abuse and abstinence. The show deals candidly with these issues and
offers advice for parents and teens to talk candidly to each other about sex
and pregnancy.
Review: Unfortunately the physical changes, difficulties
of childbirth and responsibilities of a new baby are not realistically portrayed. During labor right before having the baby Amy
eats a hamburger. The show has a place as
a vehicle to promote conversation between parents and children about difficult
topics and is entertaining. Some young
viewers may accept the ease and glossiness of the way networks handle teen pregnancy
and fail to understand the reality of such a difficult situation. I recommend this show for show for older teens
but every family is different and parents are encouraged to watch the show with
their children and evaluate it based on their values.
