Jason Bateman Defends 'Juno' In Wake Of Massachusetts Teen Pregnancies

Access Hollywood - June 24, 2008 10:31 AM PDT

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Jason Bateman has come to the defense of the Oscar-nominated film, "Juno," claiming the movie should not bare blame for the flood of teen pregnancies in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

Last week, Dr. Joseph Sullivan, the principal at Gloucester High School told Time magazine, a "bump" in teen pregnancies at his school - from 10 earlier this year to 17 - had to do with "seven or eight sophomore girls."

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"They made a pact to get pregnant and raise their babies together," Sullivan said.

As the media quickly honed in on the story, it was branded "the Juno effect" and commentators openly discussed whether the film, which starred Ellen Page and Bateman, along with the teen pregnancy of Jamie Lynn Spears, who at 17, became a mother last week, affected the Gloucester girls, who so far have remained silent.

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"I don't know the specifics, but I can speak about what sort of responsibility entertainment should hold for social behavior," Bateman, who starred as one half of adoptive couple the Lorings in "Juno," told Access Hollywood. "Unfortunately, we've had these instances where guys kill people because of what they hear in rock 'n roll lyrics or some garbage like that. Look, if you're going to blame a movie or song for your actions, whether they be good or bad, I think you're looking at the wrong things to influence your life."

Bateman said the film, which saw Page's Juno MacGuff carry her unplanned pregnancy to term before allowing her child to be adopted by Jennifer Garner's Vanessa Loring, should be allowed to remain a work of entertainment.

[ All Access: Juno - News - Movies - Celebrities ]

"What we're doing is providing entertainment in different flavors for your consumption," Bateman said. "I think people should look to other areas of their life for lessons and guidance, mainly parents, or teachers, or friends, or whomever. That should probably be where you should point your eyes and ears."

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comments 1-10 of 15  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • Mimi
    mr. bateman has got a VERY TRUE statement going on! pregnancy is caused by sex, and sex is a choice (unless you are raped). a form of entertainment doesn't decide whether or not you are pregnant. YOU do.
    report abuseposted June 25, 2008 4:56 PM PDT
  • I think Ive seen you …
    Snickers you hit the nail right on the head!!
    report abuseposted June 25, 2008 2:11 PM PDT
  • A
    Are these people trying to blame a movie in which the mother actually gives her baby up in the most selfless act she could do; for a bunch of silly young girls deciding to have babies? Shouldn't the principle of the school be scratching his head saying gee maybe we should have had better sex ed and childhood development classes? what a lame crock of crap.
    report abuseposted June 25, 2008 11:41 AM PDT
  • I HATE SPAM!
    ALL DATE SITES ARE SCAMS!!! THEY ALL TRY TO GET $$$ WESTERN UNION WITH BS STORIES. IP'S KICK BACK TO ASIA & RUSSIA!!
    report abuseposted June 24, 2008 11:33 PM PDT
  • snickers
    Parents need to start taking responsibity for their kids actions and not blame it on tv or stars or even movies like juno!KIds need to learn values andtradition and rules.I'm a mother of three and teaching them starts at home!!Parents need to ask more questions and give more answers and when the start becoming teens also be a friend as well as parent!!!(10%friend and 90% parent)
    report abuseposted June 24, 2008 10:28 PM PDT
  • crymeariver
    Golly, who would think a movie would influence all the half wit sheep to find teen pregnancy "cool"? Imagine that.
    report abuseposted June 24, 2008 4:57 PM PDT
  • Hata
    OH %@!*#ING WELLL..........
    report abuseposted June 24, 2008 2:33 PM PDT
  • TwilightLover aka Cl …
    get over it already
    report abuseposted June 24, 2008 1:17 PM PDT
  • proud parent
    I had a baby at age 15 and trust me it was unplanned and no movie influenced my choice! i now have a happy healthy 2 1/2 year old and i really liked the Juno movie it was something i could relate to besides giving the baby away... i kept my son! but people need to stop putting the blame on tv if kids want to have sex and risk the chance of pregnancy they are going to do it no matter what!!
    report abuseposted June 24, 2008 11:59 AM PDT
  • Melissa
    Oh jeesh. I totally agree with Bateman's statement. "Unfortunately, we've had these instances where guys kill people because of what they hear in rock 'n roll lyrics or some garbage like that. Look, if you're going to blame a movie or song for your actions, whether they be good or bad, I think you're looking at the wrong things to influence your lif
    report abuseposted June 24, 2008 11:51 AM PDT
comments 1-10 of 15  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

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