Evaluating Portrayals of Teen Pregnancy and Romance in Juno

Evaluating Portrayals of Teen Pregnancy and Romance in Juno

Liam Neilson St. Norbert College COME336 Fall 2022 Dr. Kretz

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Approximately ⅛ of all females in the United States will become pregnant during their teenage years (Kappeler, 2015, p. 196). This highlights the importance of understanding not only the factors and concerns associated with teenage pregnancy, but also the value in considering the perspective of individuals who face it themselves. In the 2007 film Juno, directed by Jason Reitman and written by Diablo Cody, the implications of this topic are portrayed in depth, allowing for the viewer to gain insight into the lens of a young girl facing such a prominent concern. The primary messages in this film identify the emotional and relational complications of teen pregnancy, as well as the risks and responsibilities associated with casual sex, which, in turn, will allow younger viewers to understand the negative consequences of sexually permissive attitudes and promote positive beliefs surrounding sexual intercourse.

The film begins with a 16 year old girl named Juno discovering that she has become pregnant with the child of Paulie Bleeker, someone she engaged in casual sex with. In the early portion of the film, Juno explains that her parents got divorced when she was five years old, and her biological mother is not present in her life; however, her father and her stepmother, Brenda, are her primary caretakers. She then considers both the routes of abortion and adoption, claiming she is “not ready to be a mom” (Reitman, 2007, 25:10). After bad experiences at an abortion clinic, including the remarks of a protester and the unsettling feelings she gets inside of the clinic, she decides to try to find an adoption family. She finds Mark and Vanessa, a couple that is interested in adoption. Vanessa seems enthusiastic about the child’s birth, whereas Mark seems relatively uncertain about the decision. Juno discovers that Mark has similar taste in music and movies as her, which brings them a connection with one another. Throughout the film, as Mark and Juno become close and their relationship seems to become inappropriate, Juno slowly recognizes that she is in fact in love with Bleeker, the biological father of her unborn child. The

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movie concludes with Mark and Vanessa separating, Juno giving birth to the child to which Vanessa takes on the role as a single mother, and Bleeker and Juno recognizing the love they have for each other.

Throughout the film, Juno gets increasingly close to the prospective adoptive father, Mark. There comes a point in the film where the relations between Mark and Juno become inappropriate and Juno recognizes this, and Mark tells her that he and Vanessa are separating.

This begins to cause an increase of emotional distress for Juno, because of the uncertainty of what she is going to do once she has her child. This point in the film highlights the notion of teenage pregnancy and its impact on a teenager’s mental and emotional health. One study suggests that individuals facing teen pregnancy often deal with severe emotional alterations (Akella & Jordan, 2015, p. 54-55). The movie reinforces this aspect, as Juno deals with emotional distress surrounding the uncertainty of the future, touching on the negative complications and feelings associated with her circumstance.

Research shows that many of the emotional changes that individual’s face during teen pregnancy have lingering effects, and often correlate to familial issues (Akella & Jordan, 2015, p. 55). It is notable to recognize that there is significant research illustrating the concept that a lack of mother-daughter connection throughout the daughter’s teenage years and its tendency to lead to more sexually permissive behavior (Bowling & Werner-Wilson, 2000, p. 8). Since Juno’s biological mother is not involved during this important stage of her life, it is relatively accurate in regard to Juno engaging in more sexually permissive behaviors, thus indirectly affecting her likelihood of teenage pregnancy. This film offers this idea and seems to be consistent with research regarding the impact of a lack of maternal involvement, which ultimately allows the viewer to understand and recognize the risk factors associated with teenage pregnancy.

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Alongside the messages surrounding teenage pregnancy, the film offers an interesting narrative regarding romantic relationships and social class. Juno comes from a loving and supportive family of seemingly lower middle class. Mark and Vanessa, on the other hand, live in a suburban, upper class home, with a seemingly “perfect” life; however, issues in their marriage unravel throughout the course of the film. Research suggests that in lower socioeconomic areas, adolescents are less likely to idealize the relationships they pursue (Harding, 2007, p. 360). This idea is highlighted in the film, being that Mark and Vanessa seem to have a somewhat ideal relationship on the surface, yet Juno does not seem to aim for similarities in her own romantic life. Juno does not share or recognize her love for Bleeker until the later stages of the film, suggesting that Juno is not idealizing Mark and Vanessa’s relationship, and thus being accurate to what actual research shows.

Data shows that individuals from lower socioeconomic class have a tendency to tolerate the idea of teen pregnancy more than people from upper class homes (Harding, 2007, p. 354).

Juno, coming from a lower middle class family, seems to be intolerant and highly fearful of her pregnancy, illustrating a discrepancy between actual data and her character in the film. Paulie Bleeker, from a similar neighborhood as Juno, emits parallel feelings of uncertainty when Juno discloses to him that she is pregnant with his child. This is primarily seen through his non-verbal cues, with an apparent shift in his facial expression (Reitman, 2007, 10:25). This displays a slight inaccuracy surrounding the tolerance to teen pregnancy that actual data proposes; however, this likely still promotes positive sexual behaviors among teen viewers. Reason being, the reaction among the characters to this shocking discovery further shows the negative emotions of uncertainty and fear, which promotes an understanding of the risk of casual sex.

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Previous studies discussing teenage sexual behaviors has shown that media, including films and television, generally increase their risks for sexual intercourse at an earlier age (Brown et al., 2006, p. 1018). In the film Juno, the risks and responsibilities associated with casual sex and sex at an early age, may have a different affect on younger viewers than typical media exposure. The film’s emphasis on the complications that are associated with teenage pregnancy offer a perspective that may lead younger viewers to be less likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors. One particular study, examining the MTV show 16 and Pregnant, found that areas with higher rates of viewing had a reduction in teenage pregnancy, through the portrayals of the challenges and problems associated with it (Kerney & Levine, 2015, p. 3597-3599). Similarly, Juno portrays many of the implications that go along with teen parenthood, likely causing a similar impact on younger viewers.

One challenge that the film focuses on is the depiction of the long and difficult process of adoption. When Juno visits Mark and Vanessa to discuss their future plans, she comes across how lengthy and complicated the adoption process is. This is seen through extensive paperwork and the presence of Mark and Vanessa’s attorney. Juno does not seem to understand this process as she comedically suggests, “Can’t I just stick the baby in a basket and send it your way?”

(Reitman, 2007, 30:30). The conversation implies that this process is more complicated than Juno initially thought it would be, demonstrating another challenge of teenage childbearing. This message depicts a challenge that likely would have a positive impact on teenage viewers, because it shows a responsibility that is necessary if an individual decided to pursue the route of adoption.

Challenges surrounding the romantic relationship between Juno and Bleeker are also prevalent in the film. For instance, Bleeker’s mother says, “You know how I feel about her”, in

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reference to Juno, signifying feelings of disapproval (Reitman, 2007, 22:20). Among other things, this is one challenge that the couple faces throughout the film. Additionally, Bleeker and Juno have a conversation regarding their relationship with one another, and Bleeker states, “We could always get back together too, that’s an option” to which Juno responds “We’re we together?” (Reitman, 2007, 54:10-54:20). Their engagement of sexual intercourse likely is the main cause of the misunderstanding about the status of their relationship, highlighting the notion of relational uncertainty. This message implies a negative aspect of permissive sexual attitudes, and the result of questionable relationships between teenagers by offering a perspective surrounding the challenge of uncertainty during a circumstance like this.

Another significant moment in the film is Juno’s experience of the social norms surrounding her circumstance. One portrayal of outside perspectives on teenage pregnancy is depicted during Juno’s ultrasound examination. Juno makes a comment implying that she is planning to put the child up for adoption, and the ultrasound technician replies, “Thank goodness for that” (Reitman, 2007, 40:20-40:30). This highlights the challenge of other people disapproving of her situation, and her circumstance being looked at as out of the ordinary.

Scholarly literature surrounding the social norms of teenage pregnancy suggests that there are differences in norms and attitudes surrounding childbearing that is dependent on the age of the individual having a child (Mollborn et al., 2014, p. 3). This premise is further supported by the film’s depiction of Juno’s experience at school. There are several other situations in which others treat her as an anomaly, for instance, when Juno is walking through the halls of her high school and the other students are dramatically moving out of the way and staring at her (Reitman, 2007, 1:00:10-1:00:15). This portrays the negative judgment from others that teenagers experience

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when they are having a child, which plausibly gives the viewer a perspective that spotlights a challenge that teens may face if they are put in a similar situation as Juno.

The film also identifies relational challenges in the prospective adoptive parent’s relationship. These challenges are initially emphasized when Mark and Juno become inappropriately close, and Mark reveals that he is leaving his wife, in turn creating a complication for Juno. The film acknowledges the misunderstandings about relationships that Juno has, which is portrayed through somewhat naïve dialogue surrounding Mark’s disclosure.

Mark states, “Vanessa and I aren’t in love anymore” to which Juno responds with, “Well, you were in love when you married her. And if you’re in love once, you can be in love again, like my friend Leah, who’s been with the same guy, like four different times” (Reitman, 2007, 1:09-1:10). This notion reflects Juno’s beliefs about adult relationships on the basis of her experience as a teenager, further suggesting her level of immaturity. Research suggests that teens tend to have high standards for healthy relationships, yet they often have low expectations for the standards to be implemented in real-life relationships (Guzman et al., 2009, p. 4-5). This research is consistent with the film’s portrayal, because Juno’s misunderstanding of adult relationships proposes a high standard that Mark finds unachievable.

The idea of misunderstanding romantic relationships, in part because of Juno’s age and maturity level, is reflected in dialogue from Juno’s stepmother, Brenda. When Brenda realizes that Juno is spending time with Mark, she states, “You don’t understand. Mark is a married man.

There are boundaries.” After Juno rebuttals, Brenda follows up with, “You don’t know squat about the dynamics of marriage” (Reitman, 2007, 50:54-51:10). This is further reflective of Juno’s naïveness, and presents the idea that she is too young to be dealing with complicated matters such as marriage, let alone pregnancy. This message in the film is given through the

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context of Juno’s dialogue, and is a valuable depiction of the implications surrounding the misunderstandings of romantic relationships from a teen perspective.

Another notable representation of Juno’s immaturity is through her dialogue and non-verbal cues surrounding the phrase “sexually active”. She describes her dislike of this term and notes how it makes her uncomfortable, stating, “I hate it when adults use the term ‘sexually active.’ What does it even mean? That I, like, deactivate someday? Or is this some sort of permanent state of being?” (Reitman, 2007, 15:00-15:15). This term is used several times throughout the film following her initial reaction and each time she seems to display similar feelings of uncomfortability. Juno’s facial expression each time the term is used, alongside her sighs, are indicative of her misunderstanding about sexual behavior. Highlighting this misunderstanding from a teenage perspective likely evokes the viewer to recognize that teenagers are unfit to be parents at this age. This can be interpreted as a helpful message within the film, because it identifies the issue of not being sexually educated and its potential correlation to unsafe sexual behavior.

Even though teenage pregnancy seems to be declining, the US still experiences a substantially higher rate when compared to other wealthy countries (Scott et al., 2020, p. 582). In the film Juno, the perspective of a young girl facing teenage pregnancy is brought to light and offers a unique narrative surrounding the challenges and relational dynamics that go along with this relevant issue. Although the film has some relatively unrealistic representations of the tolerance and reactions to teenage pregnancy, it generally offers accurate presentations of the challenges associated with teen pregnancy and romantic relationships between teenagers. The messages within this film regarding complications associated with teen parenthood and relational dynamics from a teenage perspective, allow the viewer to gain insight into the problematic

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nature of teenage pregnancy. The analysis of this film is an important step in understanding the messages depicted, and illustrates the negative effects of teenage pregnancy, thus promoting a helpful attitude towards sexually permissive behavior and the risks associated with it. Future research on Juno is necessary to evaluate the direct impact on adolescent viewers, but many of the messages within the film seem to be consistent with research surrounding teenage perspectives of romantic relationships and the challenges of teenage pregnancy, which suggests a heightened likelihood of positive effects on viewers.

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References Reitman, J. (Director). (2007). Juno [Film].

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Guzman, L., Ikramullah, E., Manlove, J., Peterson, K., & Scarupa, H. J. (2009). Telling it like it is: Teen perspectives on romantic relationships. Child Trends, 44, 1-8.

Bowling, S. W., & Werner-Wilson, R. J. (2000). Father-Daughter Relationships and Adolescent Female Sexuality: Paternal Qualities Associated with Responsible Sexual Behavior.

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Kearney, M. S., & Levine, P. B. (2015). Media influences on social outcomes: The impact of MTV's 16 and pregnant on teen childbearing. American Economic Review, 105(12), 3597-3632.

Mollborn, S., Domingue, B. W., & Boardman, J. D. (2014). Understanding multiple levels of norms about teen pregnancy and their relationships to teens’ sexual behaviors. Advances in life course research, 20, 1-15.

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