Profile for Amelia McDonell-Parry

The sudden pregnancy of Bristol Palin is a touchy issue that the media has their paws all over. When John McCain announced that Sarah Palin was his running mate late last week, a firestorm of Internet activity erupted as “skeletons” came crawling out of Palin’s closet. But the biggest bombshell — that 17-year-old Bristol is pregnant — has opened up a much larger debate about whether the families of political candidates are always off-limits.

I feel really bad for Bristol Palin. At 17-years-old she’s having to deal with a very adult situation — pregnancy, marriage, and the responsibility of being a first time parent. And she’s having to do it with very bright studio lights shining on her — some are critical of her and her parents, while others are cheering on her decision to keep her baby and marry the father sooner than she might have otherwise. I cannot imagine how she’s doing it and with such serenity. While I feel badly that Bristol has to deal with these new pressures while the media discusses her every move, I do think the media has every right to do so, but only to a point. I don’t think Sarah Palin’s parenting should be questioned and I don’t think Bristol’s pre-marital sexual behavior should be judged, by anyone. But I do think the contrast between Sarah Palin’s personal life and her political ideologies is wide open for discussion, no matter what side of the fence you sit on. Keep reading »