It seems that once again unplanned pregnancy and teen pregnancy is in the spotlight as the news of the unplanned pregnancy of Sarah Palin’s (the Republican Vice Presidential Candidate) came to light. I honestly debated whether or not I wanted to write about this. The media is reporting on this a lot at the moment but I also think that there are lessons to learn and things to think about as a result of this situation becoming public.

First of all, I feel sorry for Bristol Palin. If you have experienced an unplanned pregnancy your self, I’m sure you can relate to the overwhelming feelings that you experience with an unplanned pregnancy. It’s hard enough to be young, experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, and having to deal with all the things that come your way as a result of the unplanned pregnancy without dealing with the media microscope that Bristol Palin is now under.

So, not only is she dealing with those feelings, she is now dealing with the media spotlight. Can you imagine being in an unplanned pregnancy at seventeen and being water cooler talk? Unlike celebrities like Jamie Lynne Spears who chose to be a celebrity and put her self in the spotlight, Bristol Palin didn’t choose to be in the spotlight but has been thrust into it as a result of her mother’s political career.

Secondly, I hope that the news of Bristol Palin’s pregnancy will send a message that an unplanned pregnancy can happen to anyone regardless of their race, economic status, whether they were raised in a loving home, etc. I also hope that if there are any parents out there who have teenagers who have not had the talk about sex and unplanned pregnancies, that this will prompt that conversation.

Hopefully, the media will soon get bored with Bristol Palin and move on to another story and leave her alone to enjoy the rest of her pregnancy and new motherhood.


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