“I’m at risk”
More accurately, “I am engaging in activities that put me at risk”
The commercial begins. Fade in to a young girl standing in a yard, background out of focus. She begins to speak: “I’m at risk of having an unplanned pregnancy.” The scene quickly changes to the one pictured above.
First, the line: “I’m at risk of having an unplanned pregnancy.” It makes it sound as though she may be walking down the street one day and then…poof…she’s suddenly at six months gestation. It reminds me of those wearing masks while walking or bicycling outside alone, afraid that Covid is going to pounce from behind a bush or careen around the corner. Much like Covid, science is pretty clear on what causes pregnancy. Neither Covid nor pregnancy is squatting next to a shrub awaiting an unsuspecting victim. No one is merely “at risk” of an unplanned pregnancy. If we’re going to go this route, why not just go all the way? “Are you the victim of an unplanned pregnancy? You may be entitled to compensation.”
It’s all a product of our society’s penchant for instant gratification. “Do what you want, whatever feels good now. Consequences be damned!” We want our wants and desires met now, just like spoiled 5-year-olds, and we’re gonna get what we want, and no consequence will stand in our way.
The reality is, aside from rape, there is only one behavior known to create such a risk. And that brings us to the image. Does this look like someone who should be engaging in such behavior? This is a child. Admittedly, the organization airing these ads is attempting to provide a much better alternative to abortion for women who do become pregnant and feel unable to care for a child, but this clearly is an indication that, as a society, we have jumped the shark. Don’t get the reference? Look it up.
The messaging in this commercial exemplifies a problem with the way we’ve raised more than one generation. The claim? Instead of teaching our youth to behave responsibly, that actions have consequences, we are teaching them that consequences can be circumvented. Take, for example, the current push for student loan “forgiveness.” Forgiven? For what? For signing a contract you don’t want to honor? For signing a contract that you failed to read? For getting into debt studying a degree that can’t get you any better job than that of a barista at an over-priced shop that sells burnt coffee masked by sugar and additives?
Similarly, we can consider credit card debt. How many commercials have you heard promising to lower your payments? Or perhaps to eliminate the payments altogether? “It’s ok. Live beyond your means. If you can’t afford to pay it back, well, just don’t. It’s not your fault. All those things you bought shouldn’t cost so much.”
Places like San Francisco have taken it a step further. “Want that TV? Just take it. We won’t prosecute. We know you’re just in need. Don’t worry that the stores can no longer afford to stay in business and are leaving the city. Just take what you want from whatever store you want. As long as it’s less than $950, we’ll ignore the law and you won’t be prosecuted.” I’m sure there are plenty of other examples available for discussion, but I believe the point is made.
What’s worse is the greater claim of the organization and their commercial. From their website, “Our goal is to support and empower birth mothers to make choices that create more happy lives, including their own.” Putting yourself at risk and then shirking responsibility is empowering? No. Saying, “no” empowers women. For all the claims that women should not be objectified, teaching girls that they should go have sex and not worry about the consequences (or that they can avert the consequences) does just that. How is encouraging girls to freely give their bodies away “empowering”? This isn’t empowerment. It’s enablement - it enables bad behavior and blame-shifting. It perpetuates the victim mentality that seems ever-prevalent in today’s society.
Like I said, I appreciate that Modern Adoption Plans is offering a far better alternative to abortion. I just believe teaching responsible behavior is the best of all available options. Yes, people make mistakes, especially kids. It is not helpful when the adults who should be guiding children away from mistakes instead point them in the direction of danger. It’s time for the adults to grow up (they, after all, were the first to seek freedom from their responsibility) and provide their children the parenting they so desperately need.
We all are if we are fighting up stream against the media narrative.
So what generation started this? I cannot tell for sure since it is not universal among parents. I believe it really started getting bad when the internet began raising children.