ANALYSIS of JUNO MOVIE

Juno is a movie which presents developmental stages, conflicts and restrictions that one has
to go through during their emerging adulthood. The protagonist in the movie Juno had to
confront an early pregnancy at the age of sixteen. Instead of going through an abortion, she
decides to give birth to the baby and set up an adoption. The story revolves around the
pressure she has to go through in her early adulthood, conflicts of emotion and dilemmas of
taking right decisions.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), The social determinants of health has been
descriptively shown in the movie with respect to conditions in which people are born and
grows up, age and living conditions. Also emphasis is given on resources like money which
plays a major determinant for raising children and proving good healthy conditions.
According to National Institute of Health and Clinical Sciences, Pregnant women under the
age of twenty are uncomfortable using antenatal care services. It has been observed that they
are reluctant to accept their pregnancy and are unsure about parents reaction and feel
embarrassment. However in the movie parents of the teenager are supportive and her step
mother helps in getting antenatal health services. The mother guides the daughter throughout
in the course of pregnancy and is strongly supported by one of her best friends.

In the movie the diversity of cultural values has been prominently referred to. Issues like
early pregnancy is considered acceptable and regarded with openness than cases like drug
abuse by teenagers. This reflects the cultural value of being open about adolescents loosing
their virginity during early adulthood. According to Bronfenbrenners theory of structures of
environment, above is represented in Microsystems. The layer comprises of customs, laws
and cultural values (Berk, 2000).

The period of emerging adulthood is not specifically defined by age group. It is considered
more subjective depending on the location, culture, psychological aspects, living condition
and various situations once have to go through. This theory of Hendry and Kloeps on
emerging adulthood has been observed in the movie. Juno has to take adult like decisions
during her adolescence which leads her to mature faster than usual. Over the entire movie
reflects sociological and psychological turmoil during emerging adulthood.

Bronfenbrenners Ecological Systems Theory:

The theory revolves around child development in the conditions of system of relationships. It
defines various layers of complex environment where each has an effect on childs
development. The factors which communicate for maturing are immediate family,
environment, societal landscape that steers ones development.

The structure of the environment is divided into various layers which as follows-

1. Microsystems: It contains structure which has direct contacts with the children and is the
closest layer. It comprises of relationships and interactions a child has with her immediate
surroundings. Bronfenbrenner describes bi-directional influence. Childrens believed is
affected by various close structures like family, school, neighbourhood or child care
environment and vice versa child also influences the structures thought process. In the movie,
Juno grows up without her mother which brings a rebellious and independent approach in
her. Moreover her fathers involvement with other woman who eventually becomes her step
mother, influences her outlook towards theory of relationships. It has been shown that she is
not open to accept her feelings towards Paulie Bleeker and also considers having intercourse
as a mere source of entertainment. It reflects a family environment which is not conventional

and is willing to adapt to modern cultural system. At microsystem, influences are strongest
and have greatest impact. I this theory, interaction within a layer and interaction between the
layers of structures is critical.

2. Mesosystem: It is the connection between the structures involved in microsystem. This

layer is not dominant in the movie but can be described through relationship between father
and mother, her boyfriends mother and her parents a they are neighbors and relationship
between the spouse who agrees for adoption of the baby.

3. Exosystem: Exosystem is the indirect larger social system where the person does not
communicate. In this layer, the structure interacts with others in her microsystem which
impacts ones development and perspective. It has been observed that Juno gets impacted and
stressed out when she finds out about difference between the spouse who are going to adopt
her child. The husband confronts his wife regarding his unwillingness to be a father which
leads to their divorce. Though its an interaction in the outer circle where she is not directly
involved but does impacts her, as she is concerned regarding upbringing of her baby by single
parent. This also reflects her inhibitions due to past personal experience.

4. Macrosystem: This is one of the intangible outermost layer in the ecological system. This
layer contents cultural values, customs and laws. It is considered to have a step by step
influence throughout interactions with all other layers. As mentioned above cultural values
have reflected strongly in the movie. In the western countries, like USA where movie takes
place losing virginity post 15 years of age is considered normal. It is understood as a part of
adolescence needs to grow and mature. Hence parents of the teenager are kind of relieved
when she discloses that the issue is only that she is pregnant and not into drugs abuse.

5. Chronsystem: This layer is surrounded by dimensions of time related to ones

environment. It can occur due to elements which are external like timing of parents death, or
any internal physiological change that occurs due to age, pregnancy etc. Every individual has
different methods of coping and reacting and eventually may be, are more able to determine
how these changes will influence them. Due to sudden death of her mother in the movie, it is
seen that Junos understanding of biological changes in a woman are indistinct. Also as she is
in her early adulthood, intercourse is considered as an experience.
Moreover due to pregnancy there are physiological changes in her body because of which she
feels unsecured, it has be shown through the dialogue I look like a planet. To overcome
that she desires to get attention from Mark who is suppose to be adopting her baby.

Bronfenbrenners Moral Dilemma test is another psychological aspect which is very

commonly observed during early adulthood. Though these tests are conducted in the control

at labs but such circumstances where our moral dilemma is tested can be seen in our general
day to day life. According to the above, there are two moral dimensions- Negative-passive
dimension where moral choices that impels a teenager to resist peer pressure to violate
conventional norms. Positive-active moral choices are acts that reflect actions of moral
principles.
Junos decision of not aborting the baby and considering adoption is an example of positiveactive moral choice.

It is considered that theories now focus on role played by childs physical or biological
attributes and the environment in change and growth and depends to the extent in which their
interaction is ongoing. It is stated by Brofenbrenners ecological system theory that
complexities increases gradually during interaction, it arises as childs physical and cognitive
structure grows and matures.
Implications of the theory: The current economy creates instability and unpredictability in
family lifes is most destructive force in development of a child (Addison,1992).
Constant mutual interaction is necessary with important adult as a part of development. As
per the theory, a break down in the immediate microsystem will not provide tools to explore
other parts of environment. Affirmation should be present for the child in various
relationships like child/parent or child and other important relationships. Such deficiencies
are shown especially in adolescences through anti social behavior, lack of self discipline, and
inability to provide directions. It can be put forward that this theory has dire implications for
the practice of teaching. It is necessary for education system to make up for these deficiencies
by schools and teachers providing long term relationships. However Bronfenbrenner strongly
believed that primary relationship needs to be with someone who are meant to last a lifetime,
provide sense of caring and fostered by someone with immediate sphere of influence on the
child. .Schools and teachers cannot provide complexities of interaction that can be given by
primary adults. The ideal of the creation of public policy that eases work and family conflict
(Henderson, 1995).
It is necessary to foster societal attitudes that develop value work at all levels like parents,
friends, teacher, relatives, work supervisors etc. A system that incorporates political and
economics policies in best interest of parents role in the childrens development is required to
be formed.
Hendry and Kloep proposed a new outlook in human development at the stage of Emerging
adulthood which is overlapping period between adolescence and adulthood and is distinct
from both the stages. It is accepted that development is non linear and reversible. But we
cannot deny another observation that some young people might reach adult stage early in
some domain and later in others and in some aspects never. In their critiques, Hendry and
Kloep argued that emerging adulthood is not a universal stage, and is majorly dependent on
cultural context in which people grow and develop and the social institutions they encounter.
The stage of emerging adulthood is agreed to be not universal and but is considered as a
period that exists only in cultures where entry to adulthood is postponed and roles and
responsibilities are not passed on until way past the late teens.

If we associate above theory with the movie, it can be correlated that emerging adulthood is
subjective to various elements involved within the environment. Juno is sixteen and in a
phase of crossing her adolescence, yet she has two more years to go to reach adulthood.
However various circumstances like pregnancy and the kind of decisions she has to take for
bringing up the baby are few things which she requires to do above her age and maturity
level. This is the phase which brings her into emerging adulthood irrespective of the age
group she belongs. There are scenes in the movie where she discusses about things like how
relationships like marriage work, is it expected that two people can live happily together
forever and what kind of a personality category she belongs. She has been brought up by
separated parents and understands the consequences one has to go through. So when the
spouse chosen for adoption plans a divorce she is devastated. As only thing which she
considers is very important other than money is a healthy united family for her baby.

According to Arnett J.J (2004) asserted that demographic similarities like later marriage,
longer education which has become very common in the modern world are best understood as
implication of a new life stage. Due to variations in emerging adulthood because of cultural
context, not only social class and educational attainment but many different emerging
adulthoods. Hendry and Kloep in distinction referred that stage theories have never been able
to explain transition in an individual across his/her life course. They completely believed that
stage of emerging adulthood doesnt have specific timeline and is redundant. Instead for
experiments should be done about processes and mechanisms that govern changes in human
psychologically and physiologically at any stage.

Social Model of Health and Determinants:

Social model of health acknowledges the effect of social, economic, political and cultural
factors and conditions on health and wellbeing. It is conceptually designed framework for
improving health conditions, preventing and reducing illness and addressing health concerns
which emerge due to inequalities and disadvantages that exists within the society. The service
centers like AIMA, WHO support community health practice by the values and principle.
Various elements of social model include:

Recognizing broad, social, economic and environmental determinants of health and

illness.
Health promotions and disease prevention
Importance of community participation in decision making
Working with sectors outside of health
Understand equity is an important outcome of health service intervention

According to the South Australian Council of Social Service, the social determinants of
healths are as follows1. Income and Social Status: It cannot overlook that a good income effects the health and
well being of an individual. They enjoy better access to healthcare, nutrition and often live
longer as well. A person who goes through hardships and has economics disadvantages has
increased risk of serious illness and premature death. It also leads to food illiteracy, stress,
anxiety and decline in positive health status. In the movie, while deciding for adopting
parents, income and social status of the family has been shown as the major factor.
2. Social participation and social network: Social interaction and participation with
communities brings a sense of belonging and connects together bringing positive, physical
and psychological wellbeing. The social network in the movie has been shown through the
support system she carries along. Juno has strong support of her social surroundings like from
her best friend, parents and her boyfriend which helps her to move through pregnancy in a
healthy condition.
3. Education: Education is the base for making future decisions about choices of occupation
which will provide us with income. Also it helps us to cope with day to day challenges,
participate in the professional and economic market. Junos better understanding of sex
education helps her taking a decision regarding abortion. Also her step mother supports her
throughout antenatal care as they have better education and understanding of the requirement
and necessity of regular health care check up during pregnancy.
4. Health Literacy: Ones ability to analyze different experiences that someone is observing
in their health within larger context can be defined as Health literacy. It is a step ahead
towards taking decisions regarding personal health, awareness related to economic,
environmental and social determinants of health. Health literacy is crucial for consumers to
access, understand and utilize health related benefits, consider choices regarding their
personal health and also contribute to the empowerment self manage health practices by
people and communities.

5. Healthy living conditions: Healthy living conditions comprises of suitable housing,

nutritious food and clean drinking water. Nutritious food is impacted by level of food literacy
and also by geographical and socioeconomic location. However in the movie food literacy i s
shown as a major hindrance. Juno being a sixteen year old girl is prone and fancies fast foods
which is usually not appropriate. Though as per social status her parents can well afford the
same but unawareness and carefreeness regarding healthy food is observed as a concern.
6. Racisim, discrimination and culture: Due to colonization in the history in few places stress
levels, feelings of social exclusion has been found which has been carried along with time.
Racisim also leads to unequal employment access, education, medical support and social
reactions. This leads to negative emotional reactions that contribute stress and consumption
of drugs and addictive substances.
7. Early life factors and genetics: The quality of the environment in which we are born and
live determines level of our brain development and stimulation. Developments are vital and
are foundation for parameters like childs social, economic and health related outcome as an
adult.
Genetic inheritance like growth, aging and the functioning of individual physiology are
influential in determining an individuals experience of health and wellbeing. In the movie
Juno being highly fertile can be one of the genetic inheritance. As her step mother confirms
that she had been given contraceptive pills and even after that she gets pregnant.
8. Individual behaviors and lifestyle factors: Individual behavior and lifestyle factors are
nothing but choices that one makes such as factors like smoking, drug abuse, drinking etc.
These decisions are also defined by an individuals socioeconomic position.
9. Access to Healthcare: It is an important determinant as people staying in remote areas
always have issues going for regular checkups. Infact at times doctors available in that areas
are well experienced and make mistakes in treatment. Preventive Health care services gets
impaired to a larger extend like baby immunizations and health promotion programs.

Conclusion:
The movie gives a broader prospect towards physiological and psychological way of
development a child goes through due to various external factors involved. It describes the
kind of influence one has in their outlook towards various system of society due to a
particular way of upbringing. Also opinions developed towards various complex network like
sex has major influence due to cultural and societal value attached to it. In the movie
openness to sex has been presented and parents expect their children to loose their virginity
after the age of fifteen.
The social influences towards moral values are described through taking strong decisions on
subjects like abortion. The moral dilemma infused in us by various social services like human
rights and NGO influences our decision making and it kind of forces us developing certain
perceptions towards particular system or values. It has been observed that moral decision
making is suffers many problems especially ethical concerns.
Also there are social hindrance that deny access to access to positive elements that
contributes towards betterment of health and well being. Many studies has been conducted
describing the link between social contributors of health and the disadvantages of negative
health effects. Negative health effects of the social determinants has been identified by
government and informs social and health related policy. The effect of negative health is not
only in seen in childhood but also during entire adulthood. Strategies regarding inequity and
addresses social gradients and negative health effects. Many of these issues are tried to be
resolved through health promotions. However poverty is considered one of the major
concerns compounding to the reason of ill health. According to the social health model, a
model related to pregnancy and complex social factors are defined.
According to the theory, it is observed that lives of young people falling into the age group of
late teens and early twenties in industrialized societies have changed dramatically, moving
toward a less structured passage to adulthood which is delayed, including longer education,
training and later ages for considering marriage and parenthood. It can be mutually accepted
that the paths chosen by emerging adults during these years are dynamic and diverse, both
within and between societies, and also it is important to recognize and investigate this
diversity. Many parts of the emerging adulthood developed is yet to be discovered or grasped,
offering the prospect of many challenging investigations in the future to come. Though
above all these it can be emphasis that manifestation of various layers of Bronfenbrenner
theory has a very strong impact on the development of a child. The network system
surrounded by various cultural values effects our development.

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