MT131155

toc For this essay, I chose to respond to a nonfiction movie called Juno. The movie depicts very many developmental/psychological issues. One of the most noted issues is the topic of teen pregnancy. It is easy to overlook some of the other issues in this movie such as, the modern day struggles of adolescents, peer relationships, love, sex, abortion, divorce, adoption, pregnancy in high school, and parenting styles. This film clearly shows the filmmakers intentions in showing these issues. To begin with, many Americans like to ignore flaws in society such as teen pregnancy. But the truth of the matter is, awareness is the best prevention. Jason Reitman definitely uses this film to show people that teen pregnancy is a real issue in society, and definitely needs attention. Although teen pregnancy is a huge theme in this movie, the film also takes a look at peer relationships in our modern day society. Reitman clearly intends for none of the characters to be perfect, although some may seem like it. Why? because that's reality. Leah, for example is portrayed to be this beautiful cheerleader who's popular and should be into football guys. But in reality, she's not really that popular and has a thing for teachers. Same with Vanessa and Mark. As the adoptive couple they are portrayed as perfect, but in all actuality are not even in love, and end up getting a divorce. These are the aspects Reitman is purposely pointing out because although people like to pretend they don't, they happen everyday. The scientific evidence represented by the Human Growth and Development textbook notes that teen pregnancy has always been an issue among society, but whats growing more rapidly is the amount of unmarried teens getting pregnant. The textbook states that in the 1960's 80% of teenagers that gave birth were married. Comparing that to today, statistics show that in 2003 only 14% of teens that gave birth were married. In the film, sixteen years old and pregnant, Juno never even mentions the topic of marriage to her friend Pauly Bleeker. These facts only give more proof to the modern day idea that teen pregnancy is not claims to get married. On to the next subject, during the beginning of the movie Juno clearly defines that she has no relationship with her mother, who left her as a child. The textbook clearly supports this issue by noting that teens who have good relationships and can communicate openly with thier mothers about sex and contraceptives, are less likely to get pregnant. Although Juno clearly intends to get an abortion at one point in the movie, she quickly decides on adoption. This is an uncommon choice for teens, as only 7% carry the baby full term and go through with the adoption. Reitman is obviously trying to show teenagers that there are alternatives to abortion, but ultimately no choice is easy. One of the biggest __#|developmental domains__ in this film is Juno's decisions about her future. She is not yet sure of who she is or wants to be, but she knows she is incapable of caring for a child. Although she is staged with the domain of growing up, she ultimately makes all the decisions herself, with little help from <range type="comment" id="413330362_11">her family or Pauly. Juno, as with p</range id="413330362_11">retty much every film, contains numerous symbols that one probably wouldn't catch if they weren't looking for them. It could just be a <range type="comment" id="413330362_5">coincidence</range id="413330362_5">, but the main character's name is Juno, which is also the name of the Roman goddess of fertility. Juno herself represents many things to different people. To viewers, she symbolizes the outcast teen, who doesn't care about what people think, but is ultimately average and someone we relate to. To Mark she represents fun, youth, freedom, everything he craves in his own life. The cactus she receives from her mother every Valentines Day clearly symbolizes the stinging from the relationship they don't have. Juno's best friend Leah is also a big symbol in the film. Leah symbolizes a popular cheerleader but shows that stereotypes mean nothing to the modern day teenager. Vanessa and Mark symbolize marriages in this generation. Many times you would think they have the perfect life and the perfect relationship, but looks can be deceiving. <range type="comment" id="413330362_9">Their </range id="413330362_9">not happy, and most importantly not in love. Although this movie is generally praised for its comedic standpoint, it receives more <range type="comment" id="413330362_10">criticism</range id="413330362_10"> than anything else. <range type="comment" id="413330362_12">Linda Lowen from About.com</range id="413330362_12"> states that, "It delivers a message to young women that isn't realistic. It implies that carrying a pregnancy to term and relinquishing the baby is nothing." She later continues to say that "Juno fails to portray the issues surrounding teen pregnancy in an authentic and responsible manner." Jaqueline Parks a writer for Yahoo notes that "it sets a bad example, and shows teen pregnancy in a positive light." No matter how you see it, Jason Reitman constantly reminds us of the difference between who we are, and who everybody would like us to be.

Bee, Helen L., and Denise Roberts. Boyd. "Physical & Cognitive Development in Adolescence." //Lifespan Development//. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2002. 282-83. Print.

//Juno//. Dir. Jason Reitman. Prod. Lianne Halfon, John Malkovich, Russell Smith, and Mason Novick. By Diablo Cody. Perf. Ellen Page and Michael Cera. Fox Searchlight Pictures, 2007. DVD.

Lowen, Linda. "Is "Juno" Anti-Choice?" //About.com Women's Issues//. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Mar. 2013.

Lowen, Linda. "What "Juno" Says About Teen Pregnancy, Abortion and Choice." //About.com Women's Issues//. N.p., 25 Feb. 2008. Web. 04 Mar. 2013.

Parks, Jaqueline. "Juno: Teen Pregnancy Discussion Opener for Parents." //Yahoo! Contributor Network//. N.p., 28 Apr. 2008. Web. 07 Mar. 2013.

Students: DO NOT edit below this line!

Rubric

Content/Development--40%
Word count is above 1300 words or below 900: -2% (references don't count)

Organization--30%
Transitions between paragraphs are unclear: -10%

**Style/Mechanics--30%**
If the in-text citations are missing: -5% If the grammar/spelling/punctuation is poor: -8% =Final Grade: 75%=