Palin is not good for this for two reason. one obviously cuz she didnt practice what she preaches. But moreso b/c at least from what I saw in this interview she offers no advice to withstand pressure etc - she just basically says don't do it, its hard.

I don't think abstinence is realistic in general but if she was trying to give teens a reason to try she failed miserably.

Hmm back when she was on Fox News and talked about abstinence being unrealistic, I thought a lot more highly of her. Obviously, she is being pressured by her family to backtrack. It's too bad, because I think she has the potential to be good spokesperson for this issue. I wouldn't call her a role model, however.

She is only doing what she is doing because she is trying to help her mother look good or her mother is making her do it. Her message is a good one but I don't think it's realalistic. I have no opinion on her role model status.

Bristol is a poor role-model for abstinence, because she obviously didn't choose that option herself. Abstaining from sex is the only 100% effective method of birth-control, and it doesn't cost a thing... but expecting other people, especially teens (who are already so curious about their bodies), to choose that option is unrealistic. In that case, other forms of birth control (condoms, the pill, etc...) should be openly discussed so that they can properly protect themselves and their futures.

I don't see her as a role model...at least not yet. I suppose she has the potential to be a good one, but we will have to see how she handles herself now and in the future.

I DO believe that abstinence is realistic. My husband and I were both virgins when we got married. It does take some self-control (very sadly lacking in most young people), but it is very far from being impossible! (And we totally have a "normal sex drive"...just an FYI )

I think she would be a better role model for Pro-Life or something BESIDES abstinence teachings..... role models are supposed to be someone who you want to model your life after. I don't think she is a bad person, just not a good fit for the abstinence education....

She's not a role model yet, but I respect her for getting involved and at least trying to prevent other teenage girls from getting pregnant. This interview was a disaster, but I saw her this morning on the Today Show on NBC, and she made a lot of sense. She talked about how girls don't realize the sacrifices that they will have to make if they were to get pregnant- she doesn't get time to hang out with friends now, is always up at night, etc. She also said that abstinence is the safest way to not get pregnant, BUT if you choose to have sex, you should always have safe sex.

I think the only thing that Palin is an example of is that abstinence doesn't work!

When you are a teenage mother you just cannot promote abstinence. I'm a teenager, my gosh never i will take her seriously. It's like to smoke "comme un pompier" (= a lot and a lot) to have a cancer and to say "oh it is so bad to smoke" pfff

I think, abstinence, just to avoid to be pregnent, is not gonna work. It will be "too hard" even more if you think there are other ways. I have a friend that is doing it, it's for religious reasons.

mondaymoos -- LOVE the eye rolling!!

I respect her that she stuck with her beliefs when she did get pregnant, but you can't do something, and then say "no, don't do what I did." yes, I understand the whole point of "learn from my mistakes", but do you think anyone will? Bristol Palin is not the first -- nor will she be the last -- teen mother and honestly, YAWN, we've heard it all before. move on.

She's a great role model. Every teenage female should follow in her foot steps -- perform unprotected sex with an indiscreet boyfriend, go through a shotgun engagement, break the engagement, be a single, teenage Mom trying to finish high school, who "may" attend college in the fall. Her family must be so proud. Every family should have a daughter like Bristol.

Where was she when I was growing up? Stupid me for graduating from high school (with honors), attending a prestigious University, and having sex when I was old enough to be responsible about it (read I was psychologically and economically independent). LOL

Given her history I would have to vote "no" to the role model.

She should phrase it more along the lines of ... "I love my son. But, my life is now so much harder. This is the risk you take with premarital sex. It only takes one time. Why make your life that much harder? Why take the chance?"

(Of course, I personally would add something about getting some "fun toys" and staying the heck home. But, that's just me. I was also a virgin when I married at age 25. It just wasn't worth it before marriage for 30 minutes of moaning and groaning.)

I do feel sorry for her, in a way. Instead of dealing with this quietly and possibly adopting out the baby, she and Chuckles were thrown to the wolves on national TV.

She, Bristol Palin, is hilarious. After two finals this just made me crack up and roll around laughing. Her preach abstinence!??!!?!?

$10 says her mom is making her do this. "it's just . . the best choice" yeah, real convincing.

That interview was so rehearsed! I couldn't even stand to watch the whole thing this morning. I feel bad for her too.

That woman-child can't be taken seriously. She has mixed feelings about her child, as evidenced from the contradictory statements made in the media. I, too, had a higher opinion of her, although it's not that high to begin with, when she honestly spoke about her regret. Now it's being spun as something else.

ya hypocrites are great role models. "my kid is a blessing... but no, you don't want one. trust me."

Did she actually say she wanted to be a role model? If not, what's to discuss? An advocate does not equal role model. An advocate just might be someone telling and showing people how things might turn out if their method of birth control doesn't work.
There are plenty of women who got pregnant young and had their babies, and they will tell you the very same thing Bristol is saying. Is it realistic to get teens to abstain? Pretty much, but she's 'one of them,' so maybe her message is a bit more real to them...or maybe not, since her mother is obviously the devil and is putting her up to this.

i dont really think of any teen mom married or not is a good role model,i wish her the best but if shes such an idiot she couldnt figure out how to use a condom why should she be handing out advice? poor thing never had a chance with an pathetically inept mother like sarah palin.whats there shictk anyway? " pray the horny feelings away and if that doesnt work f*ck it and pop out another unwanted child into this already overpopulated world" just think the whole trailer park couldve been living in the white house!

Obvs the Palin people got to her.

am i the only one wondering what's going to happen in a few years if her kid finds this interview? I don't think a teen mother should be an advocate of abstinence because that's just telling the kid "you were a mistake, and now i'm going to tell the world not to do what i did so there aren't any other mistakes."

If by good role you model you mean total hypocrite, then absolutely !

When the guy from Candies began to explain himself, I seriously though this was a spoof. I wear 4 inch heels a few times a week, doesn't mean that I have unprotected sex.

it only seems logical to me to continue to promote abstinence and safe sex. they are equally important in helping to decrease unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. that way, everyone can make informed decisions on what they decide they want to do or not do

So her mama was a celebrity. That is the only reason she is getting any press. Just ignore her. Doesn't she have something else she could be doing with her time?

Yeah, Justin Timberlake is so much more trustworthy than a teacher.

The shoe guy sounds like a joke.

I wouldn't call her a role model, but I do like the that she took responsibility for her irresponsible actions and had the baby. I'm pro-life, so the fact that she didn't run off and get an abortion is something I respect about her.

Most teens have sex, all teens make mistakes, her handling of her mistake is admirable, IMO.

abstinence is completely realistic, Self control is part of learning how to be an adult and if we give our kids tools to learn how to take control over their own bodies and not sabotage their goals they can certainly stay abstinent.

By saying "well they are going to to it anyway" is taking that power away from them and handing them failure.

I agree that they should be taught about birth control, educated about sex, but not told "we know you are going to have sex so here are some condoms" might as well book them a hotel.

Is it me, or is being called 'virgin' almost as bad as being called 'Christian'?

People are giving her a hard time, she is no less suited to be a role model in trying to prevent teen pregnancy then Ozzy Osbourne is for preventing drug use. If anyone is a hypocrite, it is all the nay sayers.

And it didn't say she is only promoting abstinence, just that she is promoting it. It is true that it is the only fool proof way to prevent unwanted pregnancies and stds.
Even my husband who was a virtual man wh*re in high school and college even said that having sex wouldn't have been worth it. She is using her personal experience to say, "hey even protection doesn't work." kids are kids and they are no more likely to use protection correctly then they are to practice abstinence. I practiced abstinence until I was out of high school. And I think it is a valid desire to wants all kids to just wait until they are adults before having sex.

Did she say she even USED protection?

I think she's being disingenuous, you can tell she's uncomfortable talking about this. When I saw her originally on Fox discussing abstinence not being realistic, I was sympathetic & thought she was would make a great spokesperson. She just doesn't seem to be believable on this topic.

I think she can be a role model if she were allowed to speak candidly about her experience. Her early comments were honest and I respected her much more then. Now she is becoming a puppet for her mother's agenda.

I do not support abstinence only education and believe it is the worse disservice we can do to our teens. However, I think she is a great example of how it doesn't work. She is a person brought up in a home that focused on abstinence only and she was not able to practice it. What about teens brought up in homes were sex isn't even discussed. How confused must they be. Plus, the media and abstinence only programs promote lies and falsehoods regarding sex it is hard to learn the truth for most teens. Abstinence is the only 100% way to not become pregnant or receive an STI but it isn't the only way. Clearly, teens from all background have trouble heading this advice and need to know how to protect themselves. Teen motherhood is not easy and I think the media focus celebrities like Palin and Jamie Lynn Spears sends a dangerous message to young girls. These are 2 examples of teens from privileged backgrounds who have full economic and physical support from their families. A young girl in middle America or the inner city may not have that protection and to often they are the ones who end up living on the streets unable to provide for their children or victims of domestic abuse. It is difficult to ignore the facts. By all means, promote abstinence but don't act as if it is so easy to practice because clearly, Palin as an example, it isn't. I also don't understand how we think that teens who don't learn how to protect themselves will magically figure it out when they turn 18. It isn't a mystical number that brings wisdom and understanding. That is why most new cases of HIV and other STIs are in the young people ages 18-25. Get past the awkwardness of the situation and have a grown up conversation with teens.
For an overly sexed society people seem to be afraid of it. I guess a woman's body should only be pure and virtuous when it isn't being used for entertainment or male arousal. The media sure doesn't care that Palin's ex-boyfriend was a sexually active teen. Instead, it is all about what this young girl did with her body. It is all so perverse and little icky!

I don't think she is a role model but I have to disagree with some people here. Sometimes the best person to give advice is a person who has lived through the consequences of your choice. My sister was a teenage mom. While I didn't practice abstinence, it scared me enough to get birth control when I became sexually active.

I just don't believe in teaching abstinence only. It sets a precedent for dangerously misinformed choices. If I hadn't been sat down and given the sex talk after my sister became pregnant I have no idea where I would be now. I knew what my options were and abstinence was one while safe sex was seen as the only other choice.

I'm all for the idea of teen moms advocating safe sex and talking about the difficulties of being a teen mom, but only after they've grown up and have an adult perspective on it. As for abstinence only...if someone chooses that, then great, but the research shows that abstinence only education doesn't work.

Her bf said they used condoms. Obviously not all the time, they had access to bc... get you info straight. And again, she is not advocating abstinence only education, just advocating teens use abstinence. Again please get you facts straight before railing on her.

Lmao dude! I'm sure i said before that some who preach and whine about abstinence also take part in anal sex with the excuse that it's not really sex. Pffft!

I think as other's have said she wouldn't be good for abstinence only. Especially when she has once said it isn't realistic. I think people will be questioning which to believe from her. I think she would be great though to talk about what it's like being a young teenage mother and those challenges even though she's being awful to the baby's father.

I reserve judgment on whether or not she's being awful to the baby's father, as he's the one who went on a talk show to discuss their relationship. Not cool.

"I'm all for the idea of teen moms advocating safe sex and talking about the difficulties of being a teen mom, but only after they've grown up and have an adult perspective on it."

Why later? If it's hard as a teen, why not talk about it when you're still a teen? If you're an adult talking about it, teens are going to tune you out.

She is probably the worst speaker I've ever seen/heard.

No. She doesn't even know what she wants to "model". She is discombobulated and side-stepped the important questions. She needs a new career.

I heard her say that babies are not accessories and I thought that was important to state. Babies have definitely become a fetish and its insane. When a baby is photographed and the pics are sold for 4 and 14 million dollars they become commodities. But the rich and famous have money and can hire people to support them, most teens can't.

Teenage pregnancy has been rapidly increasing and we need awareness and prevention. I'm hoping with this new president we can curb it a bit.

Ok...As I was 17 when I had my daughter, I obviously did not practice abstinence. However, this does not mean I cannot encourage others to practice it. no matter what age a woman becomes a mother, it is difficult at times, but a child is always a blessing. Calling myself, Bristol, or any other teenage mother a hypocrite is insight to your lack of maturity. No one knows the consequences of an action better than someone who has already been through it.
Another thing, being a teenage mother is not a welfare sentencing. I knew a girl in high school who had 2 kids by 20 and has gotten her degree through online classes and is working with developmentally challenged children. As for myself, I'm pre-med with a major in psychology and a minor in biology.
Personally, if Bristol wants to help teen girls I think she should be working with disadvantaged teen moms who don't know all the amazing opportunities within their grasp. We won't know what kind of role model she is until she has shown she is working to better her's and her son's lives.

I think many of you forget that she is only 18. I don't know many 18-year-old girls who will stand in front of a nation and discuss very personal mistakes. Also, how many of those looking down their noses at her just took care of a similar situation a different way?

Who in their right minds would even think of saying "Bristol Palin is a role model dear, do as she says."
What happened to talking to your children first. If you can't have the talk, ask another family member if they will. I had the talk 7 times before I got into Sex ed classes in school. I heard it from my mom, dad, sister, gay brother, and cousins. I had a foundation of information and support to fall back on when the flavor of the month decided to spill her guts and ideals on TV.

I know that this is not the case for some children but the key word is SOME not ALL. There is always some one who can have that talk besides the person inside the TV. Bristol Palin is just an example of the consequence of a choice. She should not and will not be the real deciding factor behind whether or not a teen girl becomes a mom or not. Parental responsibility is a powerful thing.

Rant over.