Gloucester Massachusetts, is Americas oldest seaport. It is known for its beaches, seafood and its New England charm. Many movies, including "The Perfect Storm", and "Mermaids" have used Gloucester as a back drop. Last summer, the city got the National press it did not want nor need, thanks to an increase of teen pregnancies that were rumored to have come out of a pact; a pregnancy pact.
Teen pregnancy is a problem no matter what town or city you are from. It knows no racial, socio economic or religious boundaries. In June of 2008, while students' excitement was building over the soon to be ending school year, 17 out of the 1200+ student body were expectant mothers.
Some just put it off as a coincidence and said whoa is me, or I pity her and her family. Some even blamed recently (2008) released movies that glorified un-wed teen mothers.
Former Gloucester High School Principal Joseph Sullivan (resigned under pressure after the news broke), had a more interesting take which was obvious by an earlier quote to Time Magazine. Sullivan said; "All it took was a few simple questions before nearly half the expecting students, none older than 16, confessed to making a pact to get pregnant and raise their babies together."
Sullivan resigned under pressure and scrutiny from citizens, affected families and governmental officials.
The movie itself, is self described as "Inspired by a true story, the film explores the costs of teen pregnancy with a story of a fictional "pregnancy pact" set against the backdrop of actual news reports about teen pregnancy from June 2008".
While the news was really reported, and the pregnancies and births did happen, pact or no pact, teen pregnancy is a problem that has plagued our society for decades, and even longer. While almost impossible to stop, compassion, education and empathy may prove to be its only barrier, not ridicule and shame.
The movie "Pregnancy Pact" is on Lifetime tonight at 9PM EST.
Written by Andrew Weiner
HULIQ.com
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