Jamie Lynn Spears Pregnant At 16: Is Lynne Spears An Even Worse Mother Than Britney?

Lynne Spears, what were you thinking? Or not thinking and not doing? Did you never sit down with either of your daughters—Britney, now just turned 26, and the divorced mother of two toddlers or Jamie Lynn, 16 and now three months pregnant—and give them The Talk?

You know the one, where mothers warn their daughters about the dangers of unprotected sex: as in, you can get pregnant if you don't use contraception and you can contract any one of a number of dangerous sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS. Or were you too busy pushing their careers to ever have this heart-to-heart with them? Were you too tied up lining up meetings with record company executives, TV networks, publicists and tour managers to check on whether you were instilling personal values and self-esteem in your daughters?

And what kind of mother upon hearing the news that her 16-year-old daughter is knocked up, reacts by picking up the phone and negotiating to get her daughter's photo plastered on the cover of a magazine with a tell-all interview by the daughter and herself inside?

I mean, she's 12 weeks pregnant—that's all—and not even showing—and you are very possibly already making big bucks off of your minor daughter's pregnancy! I say "possibly" since the magazine concerned hasn't announced that they paid for this deal, but since they have been very public about paying for other big cover scoops, there's a good chance they paid for this one. And of course, Jamie Lynn could be getting all that possible money herself. Maybe you aren't getting a cut? But there you are clearly mentioned as a participant, on the cover for millions to see. Still, I wonder, is that all your daughters are to you? A gravy train? And the world is well-aware of how daughter #1 Brit turned out—she's arguably one of the saddest, most messed-up young women in this country and a mother who's lost custody of her kids due to her hard partying and questionable parenting.

A source told Star magazine that ""She picks up guys all over the place. She never keeps condoms in the house and I wouldn't be surprised if she had unprotected sex." Lynne, have you still not had The Talk with her, after her two little surprises?

Then of course, there is the even bigger question—why do Jamie Lynn and Britney choose men who have so little respect for them that they're not careful about preventing a pregnancy? Do Jamie Lynn and Britney feel insecure and unloved? Lynne, what is that about?

And is Jamie Lynn's 19-year-old football-playing boyfriend who she apparently met in church in the Spears hometown of Kentwood, La. just an irresponsible ne'er do well? I mean, it takes two people having unprotected sex—in his case, with a 16 year old—to make a baby!

Apparently Lynn has had to postpone her book deal with publisher Thomas Nelson, who publishes inspirational books and bibles. She was supposed to publish a tome about raising her daughters in Spring 2008. Oops! I guess it's just not the right time for that.

And oops, maybe Jamie Lynn won't be deemed an appropriate role model to continue starring in Nickelodeon's teen hit show, Zoey 101. Her character on that show, after all, is smart and savvy and since I've watched it a lot, I can say that I doubt her character would be careless enough to get pregnant at 16.

Both my daughters—the 17-year-old and the 10-year-old—think it's terribly sad that Jamie Lynn is pregnant and they wonder why that family is so messed up. They can't imagine how she can do a good job of raising a baby when she's just a baby herself.

But on the other hand, she and Lynne can think of the publicity and the potential opportunities to potentially make more money if they decide to go that route. There are the "We're So Happy" cover photos taken with 19-year-old dad Casey, the potential engagement photos, the potential wedding photos, the photos of the baby's beautiful nursery, the first pics of the baby after it's born and the "How I Got My Figure Back" photos and exercise routine feature.

After all, Jamie Lynn's already pregnant, why not cash in?

As a mother, I just have to make the plea to other mothers of teenage daughters: You've got to talk to your daughters about being responsible.

What do you think readers?

Comments

[charlesrfd2003]

She is not the first to get caught and she won't be the last. She would have a better chance of coming through this crisis if the media got out of her life. If her family also got out of the medial glare and kept their lives private, they would do better.

This crisis is none of our business.

[whizkid]

Indeed. The fact she indicates her intent to have the baby is according to the Christian Right a sign of moral fortitude.
Its a world gone wild.
So much for that waiting till mariage crap they put out.

[wikiwiki]

The entire Spears family is a train wreck, but don't just blame it on mom spears. Dad spears is equally shameful and a lousy parent. These two numnuts chose money and fame over their daughters. Now they love the spotlight, the money, the attention. Acting parental could derail the gravy train and land them in coach seats back to the sticks.

[FatherWolf]

There was a time that good right-wing Christian people roundly condemned unwed teenage pregnancy as a sin and terrible shame. Ruined a girl's life forever. And the right-wing Christian Establishment still refuses to deal intelligently with teenage sexuality.

But as we see here in these comments, these Southern Christian entertainers (Brittney & Jamie Lynn) have pioneered the notion that teenage hypersexuality, fornication and out-of-wedlock births are really not such a big deal.

There's the old cliche that conservatives are really just behind the times -- give them a few decades and they'll change their attitudes to match the new trends they used to condemn.

We see it happening now with teenage sex.

In a few decades we'll see it happening with same-sex marriage.

[PlanetKansas]

It is a pity that every pregnant and scared 16 year old girl can't cash in for a million bucks and a reality show. Their futures aren't as rosey. The challenge to Ms. Spears will be hanging onto her money when all of the attention is finally gone.

Famous has become a new way of making money without the need for work or talent. If all you have is a name to exploit, then you have to sell every picture and Barbera Walters interview at the market price.

Getting rich by simply being famous does have the downsides of Paparazzi, vampires and a distorted sense of reality, but these are the very ingredients that keep the people staring at the carwreck and the market prices high.

[Tennwoman]

This is the "umpteenth" article I have read about this subject. The one thing that strikes me, other than the fact that Miss Spear's pregnancy should remain a private, family matter, is that so many of the articles have been written by women who have taken the liberty to make judgmental assumptions. How are we to know whether or not Lynn Spears had "the talk" with her girls? She might be like the thousands of other American moms who have "the talk", but whose teens, propelled by hormones, choose to ignore it. She might very well have stressed the importance of birth control, and Jaime might well have used precautions. No birth control method, save abstinence, is 100% effective. For heaven's sake, I would expect to hear this speculation and accusation from male conservatives, not from supposed modern, educated women. Since when did it become progressive for women to bash other women or their parenting skills? If anything, the unplanned pregnancy of a role model for young girls should serve to start a positive dialog between mothers and daughters, not result in a public flogging of unwed teens and their mothers. I'll be curious to see whether concerned moms whose daughters watch Spear's TV show will use this untimely pregnancy to open a dialogue, or simply ban Jaime Lynn's show and pretend the problems of premarital sex and teen pregnancy and do not exist.

[Hg1andPk2]

What in the world should one expect from second class entities like the Spears' family? They are quintessential 'white trash', and the perfect example of what happens when the classless and undereducated make WAYYYYYY too much money. I say ignore them. Why waste precious time on such a trite and useless waste of human life? I am sure they will be bankrupt in 15 years or less anyway and will be back where they belong-in the dumpster.

[DanielJP]

Outside of Fox, who really cares? I mean young girls get pregnent everyday why should this one be any differant? Just because her last name is Spears? Maybe the next person with the last name of Smith should get national headlines. Why bother with this crap?

[IZZYME]

I think it's a sad state of affairs for the Spears family, all around, but even sadder (or funnier, depending on how you look at it) that you, dear perfect mom Bonnie, should be channeling Mother Theresa with your outrage of bad parenting and personal value lessons. Sure, it's an awful situation for any family to deal with, but who are you to hold yourself so high and mighty, working for the same family of magazines (Star, Enquirer, Globe, etc) that pays you to publish this garbage. If it weren't for you and the Star/Enquirer "magazines" throwing millions of dollars at anyone with a bad lead, no one would even give a hoot about all this hooplah. At least not for longer than 15 minutes...

[Elis]

I bet Bush is just happy as a rattler in sagebrush. After all, first it was Anna Nicole dying, the Britney's various escapades, Lindsay Lohan's addictions, and now Jamie Lynn getting pregnant (just what are the rules about statutory rape in Louisiana, anyway?). All this wonderful "news" to take our minds off the war, the economy, global warming, corrupt politicians, unfair taxes...

[yankke9490]

Wow, well I have a lot to say at the moment, and so I guess, first I'll start off with this... EVERYONE NEEDS TO MIND THEIR OWN BUSINESS! The Spears family has enough to deal with already. Poor Jamie Lynn, not only is she a pregnant teen, soon to be a mother, she has enough problems to deal with, it doesn't help that she gets attention from paparazzi, and just being Britney's sister alone. I think everyone needs to LAY OFF! It isnt fair how people are judging her. She made one mistake and now she has a million other additional problems than any other pregnant teen mother, because of the media attention. I support her decisions to keep the baby,it's a difficult decision. She is a role model to me because she is brave. She is going through alot right now. Because i admire her and SOME of her decisions, it doesnt mean her actions will affect my choices. I think Nick should keep running Zoey 101. Many parents are saying to cancel the show because of Jamie's pregnancy being a bad influence on kids, but wouldn't it make more sense that it is more of a learning experience? One of the last things I wanted to say was that people need to stop blaming Jamie's parents and her sister for this. (no furthur comment on that certain topic) I just want to say that it is difficult growing up in the spotlight. Children put in the industry, or who are exposed to the industry are exposed to a lot, crime, drugs, etc. Everyone's entitled to their own opinion and this is mine. But there is a spot were we need to draw the line. it doesn't solve the problem by putting her down.

[lucycountessofbedford]

While BritBrit's trainwreck is fairly well assured, one would have hoped that Mama Spears would've learned from the experience of the first child to the betterment of the second.

Yes, J is not the only pregnant teenager in the world and, yes, not all single teenage mothers are bad mother, but is an unplanned pregnancy the best outcome for any teenager?

Yes, chances are very good that teenagers will experiment with sex. That's why it's a parent's responsibility to ensure that his or her children understand the consequences and resources available to them. No glove, no love!

The one thing these two girls (and they are girls) have in common is Mama.

[MoreLiberalWithAge]

I suspect this whole thing is just proof that "abstinence only" education programs don't work.

Let's admit it: teenagers will have sex when and if they want to (I didn't, but I had a late bloomer's lack of interest + no viable prospects at the time). This is nothing new. In times past the problem was "solved" by shotgun weddings, back alley abortions, or special "boarding schools" where young pregnant girls could bear their children in secret and put them up for adoption. The only difference now is that bearing a child out of wedlock is no longer considered shameful.

As for Jamie Lynne, let's not excoriate her for making a mistake (and let's hope she takes her mother and sister as examples of how not to parent). But let's not blame her mother either. We don't know what "talks" were had or not had. We can deplore how Lynne is publicizing her daughter's condition, but we shouldn't blame her for the actions of a 16 year old.

What we should be doing is making sure teenagers understand the risks of unprotected sex and what they can do to protect themselves. Explaining the risks of sex is as important as explaining the risks of drunk driving. We don't want our kids doing either, but if they do, we sure hope they wear a seatbelt.

[deminmo]

I think its very sad for the children that have
parents that are either too young, or too wound
up in careers to know how to be a parent. The
most loving thing for both girls would be to
allow a more stable family to raise and nurture
these children.

[mexgulf]

When I first read about Jamie Lynn Spears getting pregnant, I just thought this is just another ignorant, white trash family in action. I have no doubt Jamie was running in the fast lane, and that usually includes drugs, alcohol and sex. 16 year olds are still very immature, I don't care who they are.

What I find amazing is that she obviously was not using protection or on birth control. Put them on birth control if they insist on having sex with men. Teenagers having sex is as old as the universe, so at least be smart and get protection. It's just another case of babies having babies.

And I too wondered why some legal authority is not looking into statutory rape. Is she going to marry this irresponsible nitwit or raise the child with Britney? Jamie can kiss her career goodbye. Personally, I'm sick of the Spears and the media's fascination of them. The Spears should be left alone and allowed to go back to their dysfunctional lives.

[AbsolutBlue]

I don't think we should blame Lynne Spears for this incident. Is she a bad mother? Arguable certainly. But Jaimie-Lynn's getting pregnant at sixteen by a nineteen year-old football player she met at church is the exact sort of thing that's happening everywhere. The sick thing is, I saw this story on CNN Headline news yesterday and some jackass from People or some other equally trashy magazine said Jamie-Lynn had recently talked about putting her career on hold in two years to go to college. He said how sad it was that she couldn't do that now. Why the hell not?! That's the kind of attitude that just kills me. Does it suck that she's going to be a teenage mother? Yes. That doesn't mean her life is over though. For christ's sake this girl probably has enough money that she'll be able to have a nanny for her child. Most teen mothers can't even afford a babysitter. She can get a GED and then go on to college. Grrr. Sorry, this just really gets me.

[larry278]

Is there a rewrite of Lynne's book on xistian parenting scheduled?

[bknott]

Lynne Spears isn't exactly Donna Reed. And her messed up kids aren't that much different from messed up kids all over the country. The only difference is that they're on the cover of a magazine. Also, this article seems to assume Britney got pregnant by accident, when she was obviously looking forward to cranking out a couple as soon as the ring was on her finger.

[justagirlsd]

While a lot of this doesn't relate to the article, it does explain how the media has taken over our brains.

http://www.storyofstuff.com/index.html

[mick3]

None of my business.

[Winny]

Bonnie,
Oh, how brave of you to wave the flag of "I'm a good mother, Spears is a bad mother" bandwagon and just wait for all of the other astute readers to pat you on the back.

What a coward you are, (and amazingly, most of the country is as well), to unmercifully crucify this young girl who has given no indication that she is either promiscuous or incapable of learning to be a responsible mother. Are you a perfect mother, Bonnie? Please, let me go get a gold star for you. That's what you want, right? To feel good from the misfortunes of others?

It is a great myth in our society that all young mothers are bad, perpetuated by classist politics that took root during the Roosevelt era. How odd that evolution would work this way, making the ideal age for a woman to have their first child about 18, which supports the norm of couples getting married in their late teens throughout 99% of history, and yet curiously, now, in the year 2007, the genetics of human beings have shifted and now it is impossible for a young mother to be a nurturing, competent, successful mother.

It's a myth that teenage mothers are inherently bad. What is true is that mothers who allow themselves to be in this position (pregnant in a society that requires men and women to be in their early to mid-twenties before they can sustain a family) are more likely to have other problems that influenced a decision that for them is self-destructive. The point, then, is that though the initial pregnancy may be limiting and self-destructive, the effects may be overcome if the parents have the right support.

It is very possible for young mothers to be successful. Whoppi Goldberg and HER DAUGHTER are prime examples. Why don't you have the courage to discuss overcoming challenges instead of gloating and fishing for comments that make you feel good at the expense of the Spears?

[SeattleBoomer]

Just for the record;
16 yo Blond idiot raised on TV + 19 yo football player + Louisiana = out of wedlock baby.
What is the surprise here?
They will all be living in a trailer park soon enough.

[dragn1]

Steps Up Onto The SoapBox;
I cannot believe the feigned surprise and indignation that we have a 16 year old tart that is knocked up. We have created a society generally being infected from California where children are taught no manners and are not allowed to be punished since the state knows best how to raise your children. The "children are just small adults and should be listened to and not punished" crowed has gotten their way. A parent spanking a child is looked upon like a leper in this day and time and we wonder why she is pregnant. She is pregnant because this narcissistic self absorbed society cares more about who Britney is boffing then what the Supreme Court is doing. We care more about who has a boob job and what pills someone is taking then asking if these are good people and yes we should ask. In this day and age where we are not suppose to judge others or speak against the PC crowd guess what we have gotten what we have sown. We have a 50% out of wedlock birthrate in some areas and we do not call that and issue. We have schools that cannot teach kids to read and write and do math because some other kids have not been taught to behave and they have to be allowed in school. America I salute you. We have brought it on ourselves.

[mojopo]

I can't believe the amount of sanctimonious pinheads who have come out to express shock, horror and outrage. Is this the first teen pregnancy ever? Hell no! We have an epidemic of pregnant teenagers in this country. Jamie Lynn is a mirror reflection of our culture, and how abstinence doesn't work. Teen pregnancies show us just how freaking ignorant kids are, and how we ALL have failed to provide them with common sense.

What especially gets me going is that some people are screaming about the hypocrisy - the so-called Christian mother with a pregnant 16 year old. Those people shouting act as if this was the first time a Christian has failed as a parent or human being, or that a celebrity made a choice to be a moron. Everyone throwing stones is so full of shit.

A Christian think tank did a survey and found out that Christians have the highest divorce rate:
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2004/10/31/walking_the_walk_on_family_values/

That's right. The jerks who take the moral highground and responsible for the most broken homes.

Surprised still? Shocked that boys and girls are irresponsible and that some Hollywood parents are scumbags? I'm as disappointed in Jamie Lynn and her mother as I am of the rest of us throwing stones at them, or acting as if this is something new. If you're all going to continue having a big laugh or fill yourselves up with inflated outrage, why not direct that energy into something smart and rewarding like taking responsibility for yourself and your own kids?

[luziannagirl]

What do I think?

I think people should set examples for their daughters by getting up off the couch and living their OWN lives and following their own passions rather than watching fake people live fake lives on TV shows, and then being shocked when real life intrudes.

If your daughter still seems to need a female celebrity to follow, steer her toward one who seems to be about more than just fashion, buying and selling stuff, sex, and hair. Admittedly non-perfect Angelina Jolie, Faith Hill, and Oprah all seem to be about more than just looking gorgeous and selling us more stuff. If you just have to have the TV on for your kid, though, buy a good copy of Anne of Green Gables, all the versions of Little Women, various Hallmark Hall of Fames and watch them with her.

Get outside and enjoy nature, go volunteer at a local charity, or pitch in at the animal shelter. Exercise together. Cook meals together. Take regular family outings that expand horizons.

Studies show kids end up being most influenced by their parents over all other influences, so don't get too outdone over Britney. I mean Jamie. Whoever.