Peg Fenimore

Definitely an accurate representation of a teenager living in a dysfunctional family. Couldn’t talk to her Mom about her pregnancy. Her friend didn’t encourage her to call her Mom. She didn’t have a clear set of values that would prevent her from having put herself into a vulnerable position where “love” had POWER over her-she admitted her partner forced her to do what she didn’t want to do. No power to resist force, Parents like hers are responsible to protect their children and teach them how to set healthy boundaries. Instead, this teen is forced to take responsibility for herself, without clear boundaries, she faces an unplanned pregnancy, and a solution to her problem pregnancy. Tragic. I personally advocate for the rights of children, BEFORE the rights of adults!! She had a right to having both of her parents- to remain married, to working together at their relationship so it would last for a lifetime, to teach her healthy boundaries, etc. Instead, she experienced divorce, a stepfather-who really didn’t love her, and her mother-who put her own needs before the needs of her children. None of these deficiencies provided her with a healthy environment to navigate the teenage years and decisions that have an impact for a lifetime. Sadly, in this situation, an abortion seems merciful to me. What kind of life would this baby have with her for a mother? She isn’t mother material, and recognizes this fact. To have an unplanned pregnancy would be to repeat of her clearly dysfunctional family origins. She was not pressured to be a parent, but was pressured to do things she didn’t want to do with the baby’s father, as her music confirmed. Her response to whether her partner has threatened her, hit her-slapped her, made her have sex when she didn’t want to-force, was YES. Clearly, she has not learned how to push back and say no to unhealthy behaviors. Did anyone talk to her about healthy relationships-NO. She felt a lot of emotions but didn’t have healthy coping mechanisms to process and make a mature decision. Her friend cared for her…put makeup on her, accompanied her to the abortion, sought out help for her, but didn’t tell her own Mother what she was about to do? This young women has a flat affect. She doesn’t express much sadness for the abortion, but when asked questions about abuse, she begins to cry, admits not being in a safe relationship . Why not? Psychology would indicate actions indicate that her earlier attachments…are avoidant. Sad story. All too familiar. So what now? The film doesn’t show her life after abortion, no solutions to prevent this from happening again, pretty much has an agenda bent towards abortion laws. Never mind the complexity of the situation…