Britney Spears’ sister is pregnant. She’s 16.
Britney Spears’ 16-year-old sister, who stars as a schoolgirl in Nickelodeon’s popular TV show “Zoey 101,” is pregnant.
The cable channel confirmed a report in the forthcoming edition of celebrity gossip magazine OK! that Jamie Lynn Spears is expecting a child.
“We respect Jamie Lynn’s decision to take responsibility in this sensitive and personal situation. We know this is a very difficult time for her and her family, and our primary concern right now is for Jamie Lynn’s well being,” Nickelodeon said in a statement e-mailed to Reuters.
Having a baby at 16 isn’t a good thing. Obviously.
But Ms. Spears has chosen to take a tough road. Choosing life is always a tough road.
Like hundreds of thousands of others teens she could have quietly and confidentially chosen to get an abortion. That is certainly a choice. Doing so would have spared her from any public scrutiny – no one ever reports on abortions. It would have probably spared her blooming career or at least not put a major crimp in it.
Instead she has chosen public scrutiny, the discomfort of pregnancy, the pain of childbirth, the trials of being a new mother. She has made a courageous choice.
And by all those who call themselves pro-life her decision should be lauded. Lauding her decision will hardly encourage a bunch of young girls to get themselves pregnant. It might, however, encourage girls who have gotten pregnant to consider keeping their child as a viable alternative to abortion. That could be a good thing.
As one who has participated in an abortion – I wrote about it in some detail in my book – I know that choosing one can leave deep emotional scars on both the pregnant woman and the man who got her pregnant. [Note – I am not saying it leaves scars for everyone. For many it leaves no scars or provides a long-term sense of relief.]
I am not talking about outlawing abortion or criminalizing anyone. I am not talking about shaming people who have had abortions – FAR from it. I am, however, talking about applauding those who choose the very public act of pregnancy because they are making a tough but ultimately rewarding choice. And the first people who should be in line saying that – and providing support – are pro-life activists everywhere.