ABC Family's "The Secret Life of the American Teenager"

Former Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin was no stranger to headlines in 2008, and not only because of her campaign. Palin’s oldest daughter, Bristol, caused quite a stir of her own with her unexpected pregnancy at the age of 17. Now, after the initial media backlash she faced, Bristol is ready to send a message of abstinence to other adolescents as she guest stars on an episode of the popular ABC Family series, “The Secret Life of the American Teenager.”

“Secret Life,” which premiered July 1, 2008, broke the record to become the highest rated debut on ABC Family. The show centers on the life and challenges of teenager Amy Jeurgens, a young woman who became pregnant before entering her freshman year of high school. Although many critics haven’t exactly praised the show, others have applauded it for being “real,” and the series remains popular with its female and teenage demographic.

Bristol Palin can certainly relate to “Secret Life’s” main character. But, the former’s young pregnancy wasn’t only publicized in high school; it was broadcast across America. The teenage Palin accepted a role on the series without looking for an acting career, but to send an important message. Palin believes “Secret Life’s” portrayal of teenage pregnancy is accurate, stating, “I think the show’s doing a great job of showing that teen pregnancy isn’t getting worse, and it doesn’t just affect the mother.” This was especially true of her own situation, in which her mother, her campaign, and a myriad of family and friends were affected by her early pregnancy. Whereas other famous teen mothers, such as Jamie Lynn Spears, were merely chastised in the news, Palin had the added guilt of possibly tainting her mother’s campaign. Growing past the hardships she faced, Palin is hoping she can teach her now 1-year-old son, Tripp, as well as other teenagers, about abstaining from premarital sex.

Airing July 5, the episode featuring Palin will show the main character speaking with the politician’s daughter at a band camp for teenage mothers. Palin’s character will be a fictionalized version of herself.

Contrary to the show’s title, it is obvious by witnessing the highly publicized pregnancy of Bristol Palin, that the lives of teenage mothers are anything but secret.