It is not easy to find TV shows that the whole family can watch. So when we heard the makers of 7th Heaven were coming out with a new show we were very excited – we were big 7th Heaven fans. We related with the pastor’s family, lots of kids, always something needing to be solved, but that is really were the similarities end, because those Camden’s, who could be like them?
Anyway, the new show is called The Secret Life of An American Teenager.” So we all set down to watch and WOW we were a little shocked – lets just say they aren’t the Camden’s! The premise of the show is that the “nice” girl goes to band camp, gets together with the “cool” boy and gets pregnant. It all takes place in high school and they have “Christian “ kids who they portray as the goodie goodies; openly talking about how they aren’t having sex before marriage, and then the boy ends up getting involved with the “bad” girl of the school (saw that one coming). The pregnant girl struggles how to tell her (separated) parents and keeps it from them for a couple episodes. Then when she tells her mom she begins the struggle with the decision to abort the baby, adopt it out, or keep it herself. She decides not to have an abortion, and well, the rest we aren’t sure about yet – we have to keep watching. Now she is struggling with going to school and having everyone talk about her, because she was going to her grandmothers, but she just found out her grandma has Alzheimer’s!
I was not sure about this show at first and actually hated it. I thought they were really pushing things and was shocked about all the sex talk. I have since changed my mind (although teen-agers have LOVED it from it’s firs showing) what I realized what great conversation it brings up in our home, and with their friends that watch it too. The week she was considering abortion we got to talk about abortion. We get to talk about the stupid way they portray the “Christian” kids, and that being a Christ follower doesn’t mean you can’t have fun! I don’t know if that is what the producers were thinking – that it would be a great show for teens and parents to watch together – but it is great for us. Also, don’t tell my girls but it is a very addicting show, it sucks you in. It is certainly not for younger kids as they discuss a lot of sex issues.
Don’t get me wrong I still don’t love the way they portray the “Christian” kids and having the” Christian “ guy mess up so quickly is a shame, but it has been a great way to talk about second chances and learning from failure. Prepare yourself not be shocked and watch it with your teen, see what kind of conversation it may bring up in your home. There are so many ways we can loose touch with our teens I find I have to be intentionally looking for ways to connect. Oh yeah, it is on Disney family (which cracks me up – it is no Hannah Montana show) Tuesday nights at 6:00.
Let me know what you think!
i’ve been watching this on surf the channel. i’m still in the first few episodes – had to quit reading your post because i haven’t gotten to where she tells her parents.) i watch and i root for the characters to do the right thing,don’t be stupid, and it remids me of all the stupid and not right things i did when i was in high school, just yesterday, you know. probably doesn’t hurt that molly ringwald is in it – so highschool.
i didn’t realize it was by the same folks who did 7th heaven, but i can kind of see that.