Britney Spears’ Sister Jamie-Lynn, Teen Sexuality and the Media
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Posted by Shireen Mitchell December 20th, 2007 |
I recently posted a piece on teen sexuality, the Internet, and media. I felt compelled to respond to the recent media attention on Britney Spears’ sister, Jamie-Lynn, who at age 16 is pregnant. I will not discuss her deal with Disney or whether her sister (who was married before she had her children) is to blame for her behavior. I want to discuss the difference in how teen pregnancy and sexuality is discussed in the media and the justice system based on who the “teen” happens to be.
I mentioned this in my last post about Genarlow Wilson, a teen that happened to have consensual sexual relations with another teen. Wilson was 17 and the other teen was 15, a two year difference. Jamie-Lynn is 16 and reports indicate that her boyfriend and the baby’s father , Casey Aldridge, is either 18 or 19. The difference in age is the same. The differences in these two cases is that Wilson is Black. Wilson’s “offense” is oral sex vs intercourse in the Spears case, however both teen girls involved are white. Both incidents have been documented, one on video and the other via a pregnancy. I would add that 18 or 19 is considered an adult while 17 is still considered a minor. A recent teen oral sex scandal on Capitol Hill only resulted in expulsion.
Wilson was a promising football player, popular young man (crowned homecoming king), and college bound with recruiters waiting for his arrival. One teenage party, that happened to be recorded on video, branded him a sexual offender/rapist, ended his college career and any future job opportunities. His income level will probably max out at about $30,000 a year, if he is lucky.
NBC Nightly News recently did a story on African American women and their status. NBC indicated that Hip Hop was the cause for the low numbers of African American men who pursue a college education. There was no mention of the unfair treatment in the justice system before they reach the age of 18.
Davey D recently weighed in on this case, in the compelling, “Britney Spears Sister is Pregnant-Should We Blame Hip Hop?” Some teens don’t have to worry, as Fox News Reports:
According to the code, “unlawful sexual intercourse” is an act of sexual intercourse accomplished with a person who is not the spouse of the perpetrator, if the person is a minor.
“Police can openly investigate the case, but the biggest challenge would be to determine [in] what state the act actually took place,” Hammer said.
However, criminal defense lawyer Christopher Darden says charges are unlikely.
Aldridge is mentioned in the media by describing his age based on the relationship to what would be considered statutory rape depending on the state (LA or CA). He is depicted as a church goer, since Spears met him in church and the relationship seemed to be long term. Would you consider him a rapist? Even before he goes to trial the image is set.
“Abstinence Only” is a requirement in the state of Louisiana, do we blame the rise in teen pregnancies on this program or Jamie-Lynn’s pregnancy? The younger Spears has been depicted as a heroine for not having an abortion and being responsible enough to have the child, however every teen mom in a similar situation that my orgaization, Digital Sisters, works with is considered a “welfare mom.” This is a reflection of how the image of teenagers is portrayed in the media based on who they are and their ethnic and class backgrounds. These stories are examples of how main stream media’s views impacts our lives everyday and another reason for media justice and reform.
December 21st, 2007 01:07
Targeting the African American community without looking at the circumstances is merely a self-fulfilling prophecy about black people by mainstream America.
December 21st, 2007 19:19
I have been thinking about this issue of teen sexuality and more pointedly sexualistaion of girls all week. In many respect modern tween and teen girls feel if they wear the mantel of an older woman, they can live the life too. How much of a leap is it for a rich young star to differentiate between carrying a small dog and bearing a child? Kids live what they see. And I feel the ultimate hypocricy is a sociaty that avidly consumes sexualised, stylish, precocious teens but is horrified by the consequences (and biological reality) of actual teen sex, or worse yet, play acting adulthood.
My mother gave birth at seventeen and was a great mother but she lived with the stigma of being a child bride all her life. I think that despite being the victim of religious fundamentalism and a distorting star-system, that Jamie Lynn and any young woman who has a baby under age has tremendous courage. She is judged as a fallen virgin. Preposterous medeival rubbish!
Truth be told, the support for mothers - culturally, financially, socially- is not great in this country and if this media “scandale” blows certain questions wide open…and brings back STRONG ethically impartial sex education then good.
If you have sex you can make a baby. If you drive drunk you can kill someone. Simple facts that need to be shared openly with children. Today’s teenagers screw and drink and posture as adults, but when the legal system, the government and the press see them as minors, the potential for abuse and tragedy is fairly broad.
Lets bring back the sacred rite of fertility for all girls at the onset of puberty, lets honor them, and protect them all with something a little stronger than the confusing contemporary cocktail of abstinence and BRATZ dolls.
A MOTHER
January 10th, 2008 09:49
I was appalled that Dr. Phil would even consider exploiting Britney Spears’ real problems for the benefit of his show, as this column points out.
http://www.cobizmag.com/articles.asp?id=1972
February 5th, 2008 20:26
[…] Why did gender bias in the U.S. generate some serious newspaper ink only after Senator Clinton won the New Hampshire primary? How can the mayor of Las Vegas suggest the implementation of “magnificent brothels” as the key to economic development? Why and how is the story of Paris Hilton or Britney Spears sans underwear coveted and circulated? There’s something seriously wrong with society as we know it when the dialogue surrounding Paris and Britney centers on questions such as, “what’s wrong with these women?” rather than “why as a society do we gobble down this sort of pervasive drivel from our media, rather than demand more creative, challenging entertainment and independent, substantive news reporting?” […]